The keynote address, delivered by Jody Thompson and Cali Ressler, introduced the idea of a "results-only work environment" in which employees have complete control over their time so long as they complete their work assignments. Thompson and Ressler are the founders of CultureRX, a company that works with large corporations to improve work environment.
"Everything else around work has been changing and keeping up with the times, but we're still operating within this traditional work frame that says Monday to Friday, eight to five, forty hours, more if you're really dedicated. It's a problem," Ressler said.
The speakers said that employees should not be rewarded for the amount of time that they spend, but rather for the amount of work that they do.
Thompson stated that the current job system returns college graduates, who are accustomed to effective time management, to a highly regimented system.
The pair gave the address while circulating around the room, encouraging audience participation in games and role-plays.
"When we talk about companies, it's very important that we consider the work life issue," Henrik said. "We shouldn't be blinded by the name of the position, the name of the company or the amount of money that we gain."
A new addition to the symposium was a two-hour interactive session, titled "The Integrated Life." During the session, four consultants led audience members in a discussion on how to integrate one's personal life into one's work life.
"Everyone started talking on a very personal level about what they think about life in general, what does it mean to be successful and what does it mean to be happy," Henrik said
The morning's panels were career-specific and discussed the challenges of leading a balanced life while pursuing a career in finance and medicine. Panelists stated that those who work in these demanding industries must learn to say no when necessary.
The second set of panels was relevant to all people. "View From The Top" addressed what company leaders do to create a more integrated workplace, while "Staying Healthy While Busy" featured a range of panelists, including a fitness consultant and a dietician, who stressed the importance of making personal health a priority.
Stacey Crawford, a fifth year student in Tuck and Dartmouth Medical School's joint MBA/MD program, enjoyed her experience at the panel.
"I actually took two pages of notes during that session," Crawford said. "Often in the United States, when the time comes to make time for personal things like having a healthy lunch or going for a run, we put it on the back burner."
Although focused on business and medical students, the conference chairs stressed the importance of the day to Dartmouth undergraduates.
"At the end of the day it comes down to being aware that these issues will become more important as time goes on." Henrik said.
The Work Life Symposium is organized and held by students from Tuck and Dartmouth Medical School. Corporate sponsors included ING, Bain and Company and Deutsche Bank.
