Beware the Invasion of Robots

We hear increasingly how great advances are being made in robotic technology and artificial intelligence; how this will be part of the digital transformation of our world over the coming decades; eliminating drudgery, increasing productivity and changing or perhaps eliminating conventional jobs. 

But there is a more challenging and perhaps less obvious way in which we might be already experiencing the new age of robotics. In the business world today far from giving over our jobs to machine learning, programmed robots, I see the emergence of a very new phenomenon i.e. humans that are themselves becoming more like robots in their behaviours.

And this is not meant as a cheap stereo-typed jibe but a genuine observation about types of behaviours that are becoming more and more common in the business world and that, in my humble opinion, are more and more limiting the quality of human engagement, fulfilment and enjoyment in the work place. 

So how would we describe the characteristics and behaviours of this new breed of robot human (they can of course be male or female although most of my available anecdotal evidence suggests the earlier adopters might be predominantly male). This is the typical behaviour that can be most commonly observed in individuals with these robotic tendencies: 

• A total immersion in a specific technology, specialism or set of processes that dominates their thinking almost to the exclusion of all else - usually accompanied by a puzzlement as to why others can't readily share their obsession
• Masters of remote, disembodied communication and in particular long drawn out tech based conference call conversations using lots of strange phrases and anachronisms (which they don't explain as you are just expected to know)
• Emotional range is limited; they speak with deep and often ponderous intensity, are uncomfortable with small talk and much of the interchanges are humourless 
• Intellect is usually high and very sharp but emotional intelligence and sensitivity to others is often very low
• Invariably can be highly judgemental about the viewpoints of others - if it doesn't fit or agree with their view of the world then they are not interested in a different perspective.
• Little sensitivity to others' time zone differences or work-life balance; will often impose their own urgency on issues and insist on communications and responses that carve into others' private social time
• Work engagement is typically factual and transactional rather than relationship focused: they are not particularly at ease in face to face situations preferring to engage remotely by phone or email; they are at their most comfortable when meeting with like-minded techno-heads who think like them
• Email communications are typically blunt, mechanical, instructional and/or just downright rude
• They often seek to be dominating and controlling based on their expert power
• They are largely unaware of the impact of their own behaviour on others and if they are in any way aware than they often don't care about the impact as long as it gets results on their terms
• They are rarely themselves creative innovators; they rely on others to do the unique thinking but they are then very good at "hard-wiring" good ideas together (and that is the language they will use)
• They expect everything to work first time and actions to be taken immediately
• In their terms, nothing is really worth doing unless it has the prospect of generating vast bundles of dollars

And of course, not all of these characteristics are necessarily found together in one person (or at least not many!) and it is also true to say that all of us our probably guilty of some of these behaviours arising from our exposure to the nanosecond 24/07/automated, technology driven global world in which we now live. 

So you might ask then how do we stem the rise and impact of these robotic tendencies? There seem to be three distinct but simple strategies that can work: 

STAY HUMAN - don't yourself succumb to the robotic way of business life. Role model something that is distinctly different and more engaging. Treat individuals through whatever medium you are communicating with respect, warmth, humour and tolerance. Demonstrate how these habits can be as equally effective as the cold, clinical detached style. 

GIVE FEEDBACK - call-out those mechanical behaviours that are insensitive, intolerant and limiting. Don't put up with robotic behaviours that lessen your enjoyment and fulfilment from important projects, dialogues and engagements. Always be prepared to give feedback to the perpetrators 

MAKE CHOICES - remember you always have choices about who, how or indeed if you engage; don't be afraid to walk away or change the dynamics of any engagement where you feel you are being subjugated or your contribution not valued. Life is way to short to be made miserable by the limiting actions of others. In today's increasingly virtual world make sure you stay actual 

Tim Chapman - 30th January 2017