I know you don't want to return to the office...but...

I’ve been slow to get on the RTO bandwagon. So much of the discussion has been driven by the company. At first, it was a reflexive desire for improved communication, collaboration, and productivity. Even when the discussion pivoted to connection, community, and wellness, it felt like it was a corporate initiative – not something employees wanted or were asking for.

I was at a conference recently where the question was, “How do we earn people’s commute?” Again, the emphasis seems to be on what the company wants (people in the office), and since you can’t really make them any longer, how do you entice them?

That said, I am beginning to reassess my position. Here’s why.

In our virtual workshops, we consistently hear that participants’ most powerful takeaways from the experience are “It’s great to realize I’m not alone.”

When leaders come together to discuss the challenges of leading in today’s world and to be vulnerable about what they’re struggling with personally, it has a tremendous impact. It’s an antidote to the “alone-ness” the pandemic has created.

Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve all been stuck in the corner of the house we’ve turned into an office. We look at our screens, get on video calls, work to solve problems, get direction, give direction, and make decisions. Then, we get off the call and either go on to the next call or back to looking at a screen. And we do it all alone.

Even the meetings we attend feel like we’re alone.?

We are desperately missing a connection. Without the serendipitous conversation in the elevator, the break room, or over coffee, it’s easy to forget that everyone is struggling with the same things you are.??

If you can, and if there are people in your office, I urge you to try going in once a week. Not for your company, productivity, or collaboration but simply for your own mental well-being and happiness. And do it for your colleagues who are struggling with a lot of the same things you are. Face-to-face is the easiest way to get this “I’m not alone” fix.?

If you can’t get into the office or just don’t want to, I have some suggestions for how to connect in ways that counteract the alone-ness:

• Reach out to colleagues for support - If you're feeling lonely or isolated, don't be afraid to reach out to colleagues for support. They may be feeling the same way and would appreciate the opportunity to connect.?
• Join virtual social groups - Many organizations have virtual social groups that are open to all employees. These groups can be a great way to connect with others who share common interests and hobbies.?
• Join smaller in-person groups - If you aren't ready to go back into the office full-time, make sure to schedule coffees, lunches, or other outings with family, friends or other colleagues. You can't ever replace that in-person connection. If you can't get that at work, make sure to incorporate that outside of working hours.??
• Schedule calls with colleagues to check in – Taking the time to see how someone is doing or asking for help/advice or their thoughts on something you're struggling with is a great way to create connection and creates space for others to acknowledge their own struggles. And when they do, you get the reinforcement that you’re not alone.??
• Pick up the phone – Don’t try to do everything by email or chat. Get into the habit – and model for others – that things get done quicker, and you establish more human-to-human understanding in real time, even if you can’t be face to face.

Overall, it's important to prioritize social connections and take steps to stay connected with colleagues when working virtually. Doing so can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation and improve your overall well-being. Plus, it's important to find other ways to connect with your coworkers beyond only talking about work. It may help them as much or more than it helps you.?

If your organization struggles with return-to-work issues or wants to foster a sense of connection and well-being among employees, I encourage you to reach out to The Authentic Executive. We offer workshops, programs, and consultancy services tailored to address these challenges and help create a supportive and engaging work environment.

Let's embark on this journey together and prioritize the human connection we all crave.

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Be well,

Scott David