The 80s Are Back – And This Time, They’re Predicting the Future of Work
Forget nostalgia; the revival of 1980s culture, exemplified by the new Working Girl musical, isn’t just a retro trend. It’s a surprisingly accurate bellwether for the anxieties and aspirations shaping the modern workplace. From the power dressing to the hustle culture, the themes resonating from this era are eerily relevant – and point to a future where adaptability, self-promotion, and a rejection of traditional hierarchies are not just desirable, but essential for career survival.
Beyond Shoulder Pads: Why the 80s Workplace Still Matters
The original Working Girl, and now its stage adaptation spearheaded by Cyndi Lauper, tapped into a potent mix of ambition, class disparity, and the struggle for women to be taken seriously in corporate America. But the story’s enduring appeal isn’t simply about historical accuracy. It’s about recognizing universal challenges. Today, the barriers may look different – algorithmic bias, the gig economy’s precarity, the pressure to constantly “brand” oneself – but the core fight for opportunity remains. As Theresa Rebeck, the show’s book writer, notes, the story celebrates “that fight for opportunity and coming together to build something new.”
The Rise of the “Side Hustle” and the Tess Hart Era
Tess Hart’s ingenuity – leveraging her skills and connections while navigating a system designed to hold her back – feels remarkably contemporary. The rise of the side hustle, freelancing, and entrepreneurial ventures mirrors Tess’s proactive approach to career advancement. The traditional career ladder is crumbling, replaced by a more fluid, often chaotic landscape where individuals are expected to be their own advocates and constantly reinvent themselves. This echoes the ‘80s ethos of self-reliance, but with a 21st-century twist: the need for constant upskilling and a robust online presence. A recent report by McKinsey Global Institute estimates that as many as 30% of workers may need to change occupations by 2030 due to automation and shifting economic forces, highlighting the need for Tess-like adaptability.
From MTV to LinkedIn: The Evolution of Personal Branding
Cyndi Lauper’s observation about the ‘80s being the first time we truly *saw* artists controlling their image through music videos is profoundly insightful. MTV gave artists a platform to curate their persona, and that principle now dominates the professional world. LinkedIn, Instagram, and even TikTok have become essential tools for personal branding. The ability to present a compelling narrative, showcase skills, and network strategically is no longer optional; it’s a prerequisite for career success. The “head for business and a bod for sin” attitude, while playfully presented in Working Girl, translates today into a need for confident self-promotion and a willingness to challenge conventional norms.
The Power of Networks: Women Supporting Women
The musical’s emphasis on female solidarity – the secretaries supporting each other, Lauper mentoring JoJo Levesque – is a crucial element. While progress has been made, systemic inequalities persist. Mentorship programs, women’s networking groups, and a conscious effort to amplify female voices remain vital. The collaborative spirit showcased in Working Girl isn’t just feel-good storytelling; it’s a blueprint for building a more equitable and supportive professional environment. Research consistently demonstrates that companies with greater gender diversity outperform their peers, suggesting that fostering inclusivity isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.
The Future of Work is 80s-Inspired – With a Digital Upgrade
The success of revivals like Working Girl, alongside other ‘80s-themed adaptations, isn’t simply about nostalgia. It’s a recognition that the anxieties and aspirations of that era – the desire for upward mobility, the struggle against systemic barriers, the importance of self-reliance – are still deeply relevant today. The key difference? The tools and platforms have changed. The future of work will demand individuals who are adaptable, resourceful, and comfortable navigating a constantly evolving landscape. It will reward those who can build strong networks, cultivate a compelling personal brand, and embrace the spirit of innovation that defined the 1980s.
What skills do you think will be most crucial for navigating the future workplace? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
