A Global Member Summit is an opportunity for iMasons members to come together to discuss what’s top-of-mind in our dynamic industry. We hosted this event in Santa Clara, CA on April 25th.

Keynote Presentation

Digital natives are coming “untethered.” Ties to people, places, jobs, traditional processes, and organizing structures in society– marriage and family, churches, and long-term careers—are weakened or broken, displaced by digital hyper-connectivity. Untethering brings different values and behaviors to the workplace, creating both challenges and new opportunities. At work, it’s a disruptive force as digital natives desire constant connectivity, the freedom to bring and use their own devices for work, liberal social media policies, and most of all the ability to work flexibly and  remotely. Yet living untethered by definition means coming unmoored. Many workers are left adrift, as they unhook from traditional stabilizing social structures. The question is: How should the workforce react to these changing values and behaviors? Can the workplace serve as an anchor point for the untethered, providing a sense of belonging and community? How will this impact worker retention and recruitment? Or do the untethered wander too far outside the bounds of the traditional workplace, abandoning what may be their last source of structure and stability?

Dr. Julie Albright, digital sociologist, talked about these and other timely questions from her new book ‘Left to Their Own Devices: How Digital Natives Are Reshaping the American Dream’.

Bonus: iMason’s top strategic initiative for 2019 is our $1Million Challenge to raise money for scholarships.  Attendees who donate $100 to the IM Scholarship Fund received a signed copy of Dr. Albright’s book.

Think Tank – Supporting the Next Generation of Talent

As the presence of technology and devices continues to become more prominent, an impact is occurring in behavior, social norms, and ultimately society itself. Young people today are becoming untethered from the social and support mechanisms previous generations have taken for granted. Additionally, we see younger generations inclined to form virtual connections, rather than than physical, resulting in less meaningful and empathic relationships. Psychologists are now linking “untethering” to the huge rise in the prescription of psychotropic drugs to young people (1 in 5)

We used the Think Tank session to follow on Dr. Albright’s notion of the Untethered Society and the potential impact on recruitment and retention as young people restlessly seek stability.  We also explored if the traditional role of employers may need to transform. Key questions included

• What are the ways employers can step in to provide community and a sense of belonging?
• How can employers introduce a sense of stability for workers who are becoming unmoored by the shift in technology?
• How can advances in perceived stability influence and enhance employee retention and recruitment?

Networking Reception

The Think Tank was followed by a networking reception with Dr. Albright and members of the iMasons Advisory Council and Board of Directors.

Agenda

Registration

Global Member Summit registration is limited to iMasons members. Verify your membership details to confirm your membership. If you’re not a current member, contact us to obtain a 50% discount on membership and secure your invite to this exclusive event.