A chance to be the most human we have ever been at work

I’m not sure about you, but I think I thought things might look a little differently by now. Way back in March, when we were all sent off to work from home, I thought we might be a little closer to all being back together by now. I’m a sucker for humans, I love them, we make life bearable for each other at the very least, and humans are what I think most of us are missing.

I’ve been reading more and more about research suggesting humans were peak kind and considerate at the start of lockdown, but that as the ‘situation’ drags on, and our resilience levels get lower and lower, we have reverted back to thinking about ourselves, and the dread and fear of how a return to full lockdown might impact our lives.

First of all, I should be clear, I think it’s completely ok to think like that. This is one of the maddest things that most of us have ever lived through, and we are allowed to worry about the impact it’s had, is having, and will have on our lives. However, through my links to Mental Health Aberdeen, I also know that showing and receiving kindness can have a huge impact on stress levels, anxiety, and general mental wellbeing. So these ramblings are to remind myself (and anyone who reads this) of some if the kind things that people are doing out there, and the importance of keeping them going as we continue to find our way through this.

Ultimately, we have this chance to be the most human we have ever been, and in turn try to bring out the best in others whenever we can, because then we all get to feel good. Or at the very least, we get to feel a little bit better

So, here are some nice things that I am seeing in the middle of this global pandemic:

·      I have regular catch ups with clients, that are as much about us checking we are both ok as they are about the projects we are working on.

·      People ask each other how they are at the start of video calls, and genuinely care about the answer. I know things about people that I would never have known if it weren’t for these calls (not just what books they read from the shelves in the background) and that’s a real privilege when you think about it.

·      I’ve never ended so many work emails with a kiss, smiley faces, or softer comments like ‘take care’ and ‘see you soon hopefully’ and I’m loving it, because I mean them whole heartedly. I usually get the same back too, which always feels awesome.

·      We have almost all shown a softer, more compassionate, more human side of ourselves in work situations, because I genuinely think we would implode if we didn’t. Game faces, within reason, are null and void right now. I don’t think many of us can handle what corona continuously throws our way and pretend everything is fine. And why should we pretend its fine – it’s not!

·      I’ve had a small cry at the start of a couple of video call committee meetings, just because of general life stresses before the call (couldn’t find a pretty top, earphones aren’t working,can’t hang out indoors with my family – the full range), and the committees have rallied round and made me laugh from the various squares in front of me. Turns out that even people in the highest positions are being human and kind.

·      We are way more supportive and tolerant in the work environment, because almost everyone is missing deadlines, or forgetting about tasks, or replying to things super late. This is because almost everyone’s job is completely different to what it was before March and we are still sussing out exactly how to handle that.

Wherever possible, we are helping people, because even though we are all in different situations, we are in this together. Whether helping is leaving a positive comment on a social post of someone you don’t know, or telling someone about a job you’ve seen that might be the perfect fit. It might be working with 3rd parties to see how you can keep the relationship going despite not being able to do any of the things you used to. It could be remembering that good karma is a real thing, and helping people in whatever capacity you can, is always the right thing to do.

Very importantly though, if that capacity is a little less sometimes, because your brain can’t breathe for all the thoughts in it, that’s more than ok too. And if you’ve been a little grumpy, short, or judgmental, give yourself a break. Just remember to apologise, or find a way of making up for it somehow.

Anyway, my ramblings are over. I started this blog before work today because I needed to remember how great people are, and I’m finishing it after work, a shift that I am grateful to say ended with more incredible example of human kindness. I truly hope you managed to experience some too.

Take care xxx