Can Going Retro Help With Your Career?
Randi Zuckerberg
11x Marathons since Sept 2023 ? 7x Ultramarathons (Longest: 100 miles) ? 3 Tony Awards ? Host on SiriusXM ? Mom x 3 ? Author x 3 ? Bad Golfer ?
The working world today puts a lot of pressure on professionals to be tech-savvy. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned professional, employees alike increasingly feel that they need to stay on top of key social media platforms and digital norms to keep their jobs. At the same time, though, it’s important to make sure we aren’t forgetting the essential skills of communication and human-to-human interaction. Thinking through some of these questions can help you make the best professional use of your summer.
Recently, someone told me that when he asked a question to a younger staffer in his office, she replied with, “Just Google it.” It doesn’t matter how simple or searchable the answer to that question may have been – there’s something sad about a world where we forget the value of casual banter and helping our peers.
There's a woman who turned to social media to vent about the comments of two male developers sitting behind her at a conference, rather than confront them face-to-face – resulting in the whole situation blowing out of proportion and two people losing their jobs.
And then there’s this story the TODAY Show recently covered about a teenage son who didn’t know how to mail a letter.
No matter how tech-savvy we are or aren't, let's set a goal this summer to spend a bit less time buried in our computers and a bit more time getting to know our colleagues, like in the good old days.
Easy ways to incorporate a bit of “retro” at work this summer:
- Don’t eat every meal at your desk every day – take that lunch break with your colleagues. Bring back the office “water cooler” culture by setting up a communal coffee station, and engage in spontaneous conversations with colleagues you don’t normally interact with.
- Instead of emailing the person right next to you, talk to them – though I email my colleagues on my team all day long, there are many situations where chatting in person is much more effective and can lead to creative discussions and brainstorms.
- Don’t be a slave to scheduling every minor meeting – if you need to informally chat with someone in the office, don’t feel the need to always schedule it well in advance. Just drop by and see if they’re available. Having less time to prep our thoughts makes way for organic conversations.
- Send that personal handwritten note – in an age when most of us thank our clients via email, a personal letter can go a long way. When was the last time you received a handwritten letter from a partner or client? They’ll be sure to remember it.
- Take pride in your appearance at work – it shows your dedication in all aspects of your life. And we all have smartphones and laptops that tell us the time, but wearing a watch to work is a great finishing touch and something that indicates your professionalism.
- Acknowledge when someone does something nice for you – Go out of your way to say thank you, in person, to them. It's easy to get so buried in email and work that we forget to acknowledge a favor.
Being old-fashioned (or “retro,” I prefer) goes a long way – even in the digital world.
People remember people, not emails. I’d be a lot more likely to write a recommendation or provide an introduction for someone who I have a personal connection with.
In an age when many of us may be guilty of spending more time looking at our screens and devices than at our colleagues and even our loved ones, “retro” values are more important than ever today.
Photo: Artemis Gordon
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chicken whisperer?voice-in-the-wilderness?the thinking man's circular knitting machine mechanic
8 年I don't work at a desk, so I guess I don't need one as much as an office-worker, but I still don't have a cell phone. There have been times when it was tempting, but I know if I had one that I would be checking it all day long. Last year when my mother was in the hospital I thought that it might be handy, but when I saw my siblings constantly texting eachother and friends giving up to the minute updates, I decided I don't want that... Hopefully, I will remain "retro" without a cell phone. The phone by my computer is even a rotary! How's that for "retro"!
ASP.Net || C# || SQL || ASP.Net Core.|| REST API || Sr. Software Developer
10 年Article is Fine.
International Consultant, Former Diplomat, History Professor
10 年A simple "thank you" goes a long way, whether via email or in person. I was on a flight a few weeks ago and said thanks after the flight attendant gave me a simple glass of water. She beamed and said that I had been the first person in days to thank her for anything. Surprised by her comment, I began to notice on subsequent flights how few people thanked the flight attendants or even bothered to say please when making requests. The standard line I heard was "Give me a Coke" or whatever.
ADHD and Life Coach
10 年Bullet number three is resonant for me. I LOVE meetings. (I was a sole proprietor for many years and found it lonely, lonely, lonely.) But I notice that if you want to move forward, frequently you can do so with a quick short conversation that results in quick, short action. Then on to the next...!
IT Systems Specialist at CPL
11 年Thanks Randi Zuckerberg for mentioning these "retro" social examples. It is great to have so many technology tools to use. I like them as much as anyone. But they're never a replacement for personal interactions and courtesies. I like your post.