Rethinking Work: Why the Future Belongs to the Open, Flexible, and Human-Centered

When we think about the future of work, it’s easy to focus on technology, AI, and automation. But for Simon Hill—CEO of Wazoku and champion of workplace innovation—the future is less about machines and more about people.

In a lively conversation on The Bliss Business Podcast, Simon joined hosts Stephen Sakach and Tullio Siragusa to discuss why rigid structures are holding businesses back, and how flexible, democratized, and purpose-driven models are unlocking the next wave of innovation.

Work Is Being Rewritten—One Idea at a Time

Wazoku, which means “great idea” in Swahili, is built on a simple yet radical belief: everyone has the capacity to solve big problems, if given the chance. From helping NASA and pharmaceutical companies crowdsource breakthroughs to empowering remote workers across the globe, Simon’s work sits at the intersection of trust, collaboration, and outcome-based leadership.

“If you ask the right question to the right crowd, you can unlock genius that traditional hiring methods would never even consider,” Simon said.

His company’s open innovation platform has created a global crowd of nearly one million solvers, many of whom work on challenges purely out of passion—before they’re even promised compensation. Why? Because they love it.

The Rise of Pixelated Work and Trust-Based Leadership

Simon believes that the most progressive companies are moving toward “pixelated work”—breaking projects into smaller outcomes that can be tackled by distributed teams, sometimes asynchronously, and often judged solely on results—not résumés.

This evolution requires a reprogramming of traditional leadership:

• Leaders must let go of control and manage by outcomes, not hours.

• Employees must learn to self-direct and find motivation in purpose, not micromanagement.

• Organizations must build cultures of trust, where people feel safe to think differently and act autonomously.

“If you need someone sitting in front of you to do your job well as a leader, that’s not a people problem—that’s a leadership problem,” Simon said candidly.

Purpose Is the Power Source

One of the most resonant parts of the conversation came when Simon described how his solvers—who range from students to intensive care doctors—view their contributions as a calling.

“This is my way of exercising my brain. I do this because it gives me meaning,” one solver told Simon over lunch.

In an era where more employees want to align their work with something meaningful, this model represents not just a shift in structure—but a shift in soul. It’s about finding the joy in solving problems, the fulfillment in contributing, and the pride in being part of something bigger.

The Bottom Line?

Flexible, purpose-aligned organizations aren’t just more human—they’re more effective.

Companies that embrace open innovation and decentralized talent strategies are solving complex challenges faster, with more diverse perspectives, and at lower cost than traditional R&D models.

Simon’s message is clear: The future of work belongs to those who are willing to trust, empower, and innovate—with people at the center.

Check out our full conversation with Simon Hill on The Bliss Business Podcast.