What My Daughter’s First Day of Kindergarten Taught Me About the Future of Work

A few weeks ago, my daughter Maya started kindergarten. Like any parent, I wasn’t sure how she’d handle her first day. Would she be nervous? Shy? Overwhelmed?

Instead, she surprised me.

The night before, she had her backpack ready, her outfit picked out, and she could barely sleep because she was so excited.

When I picked her up after school and asked, So, how was your day? she gave me an answer I’ll never forget:

“It wasn’t long enough.”

That innocent response hit me deeply.

Here was a five-year-old who wanted more from her day, while so many adults can’t wait for their workday to end. It made me wonder: what if workplaces could feel as fulfilling as Maya’s first day of school?

Why Kids Crave More, While Adults Count Down

Maya’s disappointment at a day that felt too short reveals something powerful: when we’re doing something we love, time disappears. We don’t want it to end.

But for many adults, the opposite is true. Work feels endless. Meetings drag. Hours are spent clock-watching. Instead of not long enough, the feeling is usually far too long.

That gap between a child’s natural enthusiasm and an adult’s workplace reality is worth reflecting on.

The Great Resignation: A Wake-Up Call

This reflection ties directly into the Great Resignation, the massive wave of people leaving jobs in search of something more meaningful.

It’s not just about paychecks. People are quitting because their work doesn’t give them purpose, passion, or even basic humanity. They’re tired of environments that drain them rather than energize them.

The Great Resignation isn’t just a crisis for companies. It’s a signal, a demand to rethink how work is structured.

Can We Engineer Workplaces People Want to Join?

So here’s the question: Can we design workplaces where people genuinely want to be?

I believe we can. Just as schools are intentionally created to spark curiosity, workplaces can be intentionally designed to foster creativity, connection, and joy.

• Design for energy, not exhaustion - Work should fuel us, not drain us.

• Treat people like humans, not headcount - Respect emotional and psychological needs.

• Build cultures of purpose - People thrive when they feel connected to something bigger than themselves.

This isn’t about free snacks or ping pong tables. It’s about creating environments where passion and humanity can coexist.

Balancing Passion With Humanity

Maya’s excitement reminded me that humans are wired for engagement. We crave meaning, belonging, and growth.

When workplaces honor that, something magical happens: employees don’t just show up, they light up. Work transforms from an obligation into an opportunity.

And maybe then, more adults will walk away from their day saying what Maya did: It wasn’t long enough.

Engagement and Continuous Learning

Transforming workplace culture isn’t a one-time project, it’s an ongoing journey. Just like kids grow by asking questions, exploring, and learning every day, workplaces thrive when they encourage curiosity and dialogue.

No single leader, company, or culture has all the answers. That’s why it’s so important to stay engaged, keep learning, and share insights along the way.

The future of work won’t be shaped by a single big idea. It will be built through continuous conversations, experiments, and collective wisdom. The more we stay connected, challenge old assumptions, and explore new possibilities together, the closer we get to creating workplaces people truly want to be part of.

Final Reflection

Maya’s first day of kindergarten wasn’t just her milestone, it was a reminder for me.

If a five-year-old can’t get enough of learning, why can’t we, as adults, feel the same way about work? Maybe the problem isn’t us. Maybe it’s the way work has been designed.

The Great Resignation shows us that people are no longer willing to settle. They’re searching for something deeper, meaning, energy, and humanity.

If we can create workplaces that offer that, Mondays won’t feel like a burden. They’ll feel like possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 - What is the future of work?

The future of work is about how jobs, workplaces, and skills are changing. It includes remote work, technology, and new ways of engaging employees. At its core, it’s about creating meaningful, flexible, and human-centered careers where people actually want to contribute.

2 - How can companies keep employees happy?

Employees feel happier when they’re respected, trusted, and given opportunities to grow. A healthy culture, flexibility, recognition, and meaningful work are key. When people feel valued and inspired, they stay longer and perform better.

3 - What role does flexibility play in modern work?

Flexibility is now a top priority for employees. Remote work, flexible hours, and trust-based management help people balance life and career. Companies that embrace flexibility often see higher engagement, loyalty, and productivity.

4 - Why is workplace culture important?

Workplace culture shapes how people feel every day at work. A positive culture supports collaboration, well-being, and purpose, while a negative one leads to stress and turnover. Strong cultures attract talent and make companies more resilient.

5 - How does technology impact the future of work?

Technology is reshaping jobs through automation, AI, and digital tools. While some roles disappear, new ones are created. Success depends on reskilling and using tech to empower, not replace, people, making work smarter and more human-centered.

About the Author:

Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.