Photo: Wavebreakmedia / depositphotos.com

We are once again facing a time in which we will not be able to get out too often, in order to go to work or simply to meet with each other. Yet, for most of us, our professional lives will continue, one way or another. We are all waiting and hoping to get out of this exceptional situation some time soon enough.

In the meantime, we are often staying home, in front of the computer, working virtually or otherwise spending time playing, watching TV or doing other forms of entertainment. In the past months we could all see how important human relations are, and not only in the office. „People are social beings, they need contact and exchange with other people,” as well-known psychotherapist Alfred Adler once said. This may sound trivial, yet is far from being so. Like it often is the case, we only realise the importance of things after we lose them. Over the years, even what is unusual and special is taken for granted, and becomes even trivial.

We all yearn to confess to each other the questions and fears we have, we are always in search of intimacy and security. In this respect, it is irrelevant, who the solutions or smart answers are coming from, or who is more stable than others; simply the fact that we humans are living this time together is the most important. Connections are generally strengthened as the world outside becomes more and more unpredictable. This shared experience of confessing to each other the assurance of being there for each other is of course much more simple when we are meeting in person, rather than through a digital interface.

Yet, in our virtual professional life we are compelled to touch base in the same way. As bosses, you should not be focused on efficiency alone, important as it still may be in these times, but you should likewise plan time slots in which to have exchanges with your close subordinates and inquire sincerely about their well-being. In general, it is true that by switching to virtual work, we have saved much time. Meetings are shorter, more efficient and much better prepared than before. Simply consider giving back some of this saved time to your employees in form of personal discussions.

There are so many different ways in which to attain this purpose. For example, you can deliberately allot regular time for personal exchanges with workmates. Monday mornings and Friday afternoons are excellent choices for this. I often hear about companies in which teams are holding laid-back meetings online on a regular basis, in which they are not solely focused on business issues. Be open for very new ideas concerning your online meetings. Even wine tasting and company celebrations with interactive games are possible. I am sure that we are witnessing the birth of a brand new business idea in this field.

The most important of these remains the personal talk. Dare to ask your workmates directly about their state. In my numerous virtual coaching sessions, I am stunned by how open and authentic online talks can be. Perhaps it is so, that we tend to be a bit more honest to each other through a virtual interface than when we face each other directly.

Indeed, in these times, people with leading positions are facing a special challenge, that goes beyond their very professional realm. We have the beautiful word caring, that we rarely hear spoken in the context of management. Today, we need this word more than ever.

Dr. Michael Schroeder

www.linarson.com

Author: Dr. Michael Schroeder, www.linarson.com

Share

Share