Is kindness in the workplace dead?

With the Christmas festivities just around the corner, reflection is inevitable. Reflection on life, reflection on work, reflection on society.... And here I am too, wondering about the last year and the human disconnect brought by a global pandemic. I know, I'm starting this with an already-too-exploited-concept, but bear with me for just a second longer.

We are all familiar with the positive changes brought by the pandemic, like more flexibility and increased opportunities when it comes to where we work from; but what about the human relationships?

I don't know if it's because of the remote nature of many jobs, or if it's because of socio-economic changes happening all around, but people don't seem to care much anymore. Many might argue that when one sees others in the flesh it's possibly much easier to check-in and check-on, but we live in a fully connected world and sending a text or picking up the phone to someone is easier than ever, so why don't we do it more often?

We spend most of our time in work, and with our colleagues, and we build relationships that have the potential to last a lifetime, so why are many people still feeling isolated?

No matter the company culture, or the work environment, we all should bring it upon ourselves to be kinder to each other and to be there. And being there sometimes is just a text, it's literally as simple as that. After all, we don't know what's going on in people's life, and sometimes a little act of kindness such as checking in, goes a long way.

Cultures are built by the people, and we all have a moral responsibility as individuals to ensure we create a positive environment for everyone to work in.

So, what will you do this Christmas period to ensure workplace kindness is not dead?