In the broadest sense of the word, work is any kind of effort that uses a force to move an object through some distance. In the scientific sense, work is a form of energy transfer that can change the potential energy of a mechanical system, the thermal energy of a physical system, or the electrical energy of an electrochemical system. The standard SI unit for work is the joule (J), which is the amount of energy required to move an object through one meter in one second.
The nature of the work done by a force depends on its direction and the magnitude of the force, and therefore work can take many different forms. For example, a person can do work on a rock by pushing it, but they cannot do the same work on a feather because the force is not directed in the same direction.
Another way to describe the concept of work is as a vector, whose magnitude is proportional to the force and its direction. For example, lifting a heavy box up onto a shelf requires more work than just moving it in the same direction. This is because the weight is multiplied by the acceleration of gravity, which increases with the distance over which it moves the box.
Likewise, the work done by a rocket on its upward trajectory is the product of its mass and its velocity, which is proportional to its distance traveled and direction. This means that the more mass an object has, the more energy it must exert to overcome the pull of Earth’s gravity and fly into space.
It is also possible for a vector to have zero magnitude, which occurs when the direction of the force is equal to the velocity of the object. In this case, no work is done, and the velocity of the object will remain constant.
The best work is meaningful, engaging, and aligned with your passions and interests. It enables you to develop your strengths, talents and skills to the fullest extent while making an impact that matters. When work is fulfilling, it can inspire a sense of purpose and meaning in your life and contribute to a more meaningful future for both you and your organization.
To make redefining work a reality for all, organizations need to change how they think about where, how and when it gets done. This will involve rethinking their management systems, work environments, operations, leadership and management capabilities, compensation and performance management practices and human capital policies. In addition, the culture of their organizations must evolve to cultivate questing and connecting mindsets, where individuals seek out domains of influence they want to make a difference in. The result should be a more agile, adaptable and flexible work environment that constantly identifies and addresses unseen problems and opportunities. This will ignite more worker passion over time and create greater value for both the individual and the institution.