The Real Costs of Losing Human Connection in the Workplace
Louis Carter
Founder and CEO @ Most Loved Workplace, Best Practice Institute | Workplace culture, talent analytics, employer branding
Hello friends,
Lately, I've been reflecting on the immense changes we're experiencing in the business world. We're in the midst of a transformation, one that's reshaping what it means to retain and nurture a workforce. We're entering the era of an increasingly disconnected workforce, marked by stress and burnout where there is increasing reliance on technology, pulling away from human connection—where tech has taken over our ability to connect, which is the very thing that is required to reduce errors and improve business relationships. Let's call this phenomena: Generation AI, and find a solution to counterbalance singularity with a revolution around humanity and yes, the emotion of love.
I deeply invest in the Most Loved Workplace? movement because I've seen the negative impact of relying too heavily on automation in frontline roles, from customer service to healthcare and high-risk jobs. This reliance often results in errors, frustration, a lack of personal accountability and respect, and poor ethical choices, potentially causing irreversible damage.
It's clear we need to do more than just keep up with the latest in AI, CRMs, EHRs, or automation. While it's vital to embrace these technologies and dream of future innovations, there's a more immediate challenge at hand. How do we balance this relentless pace of technological advancement with the human element?
Consider this: You're so absorbed in your screen that you don't realize your children are lost at the playground, or you overlook the distress of a patient who flatlines because you're too focused on taking notes on your laptop using ChatGPT.
This scenario isn't far-fetched; it's our current reality. And if we don't prioritize emotional intelligence and humanity in our workplaces now, where will we find ourselves in a year, two years, or five?
To truly resonate with the pace of tech and AI advancements in Generation AI, we must delve into what makes us human. This isn't about settling for the status quo. Generation AI seeks a more profound connection to the humanity of work, an aspect at risk of being overshadowed by technology. They demand a recognition of their humanity, emphasizing emotional well-being and personal identity.
Acknowledging the importance of diversity, LGBTQ+ rights, career progression, and support for various community members isn't enough. Generation AI wants to see genuine commitment, not just token gestures. They aspire to transform the workplace into a space that is inclusive, humane, and reflective of the diverse world we inhabit. They seek respect and recognition for their emotions and humanity, distinguishing them from the machines they work alongside.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Failing to meet these expectations has real costs, impacting our bottom lines significantly.
领英推荐
The expense of replacing an employee and the loss of productivity due to attrition can amount to 1-2 times an employee's salary, costing businesses over $2 trillion annually.
With my latest project Generation AI: The Most Loved Workplace? Revolution, I'm diving into the challenge of crafting businesses that excel not just financially but also in retention, performance, and talent attraction. This project is a deep dive into aligning business practices with the values of Generation AI, aiming to create places where people don't just work—they thrive and feel a deep sense of belonging. It's about establishing Most Loved Workplaces? where the culture builds on respect, empathy, and co-creation pillars. Every individual is recognized and appreciated in these environments, fostering a community where everyone feels genuinely valued and seen. This is more than an initiative; it's a movement towards redefining success in the workplace, where being loved and respected is as vital as any balance sheet.
This journey is about more than just business; it's about setting a new standard for work environments that are as diverse and dynamic as our society. My goal is to not just meet the expectations of Generation AI but to engage in meaningful dialogue, shaping a future where our work is defined by how and why we do it—together.
I'm inviting you to join me, not just as spectators but as active participants in crafting this vision. Start by applying for certification here.
Let's embark on this adventure together, challenging ourselves to build not only successful businesses but ones that are deeply meaningful and inclusively designed.
Stay tuned for more updates on this journey. In the meantime, remember: we're not just predicting the future of work; we're creating it.
Lou
Transforming Teams and Leaders into Powerhouses of Connection and Performance | Keynote Speaker | Leadership & Management Development Programs | Executive & Team Coach | Author of 3 Award-Winning Books
7 个月Human connection is vital to all we do. Thanks for elevating the conversation Louis Carter
This conversation strikes at the heart of what we, at Best Practice Institute (BPI), stand for. This piece doesn't just articulate a growing concern in today’s tech-saturated corporate environment; it also encapsulates the driving force behind our mission at BPI and our dedication to cultivating Most Loved Workplaces.
At Most Loved Workplace, we've consistently emphasized the importance of fostering environments where trust, respect, and genuine connection thrive. Your findings resonate deeply with our core mission: to cultivate workplaces where every individual feels valued, heard, and connected, not just digitally, but emotionally and personally. The staggering $2 trillion yearly cost due to employee turnover and lost productivity underscores a critical truth: technology should enhance, not replace, human interactions in our workplaces. As you aptly highlight, the balance between tech and touch is delicate and essential. Our approach, through sentiment and emotion analysis, offers a path forward. By understanding how employees truly feel, organizations can create strategies that prioritize human connection, ensuring technology serves as a bridge rather than a barrier. Your call to action for a new kind of workplace—one that champions respect, empathy, and collaboration as foundational principles—aligns perfectly with what we stand for. The Most Loved Workplace Revolution is not just about addressing these issues; it's about fundamentally transforming our work cultures to be as human as the people within them.
Account Manager, Best Practice Institute and Most Loved Workplace. Helping companies place love of employees at the center of their business strategy.
7 个月"You get what you give" directly applies here. If you buy a clunker, you'll end up paying more for repairs/replacements. If you put the effort and right materials into a foundation, you'll have a resilient home. And if you ignore your community, you'll fall out of relevance with them Research has shown that the number one factor in general happiness is qualitative and quantitative connection with other people (https://www.npr.org/2023/01/15/1149063567/whats-the-1-thing-to-change-to-be-happier-a-top-happiness-researcher-weighs-in). We, as members and leaders of communities, be they families, townships, or companies, need to invest in connecting with each other, and sometimes disconnect from technology to make that happen. Clearly, it pays off emotionally and financially in the end. That's why I'm invested in the #mostlovedworkplace mission. It helps leaders target their investments to efficiently and authentically create a sense of friendly or familial love in workplaces around the world. The movement will only grow, Louis Carter!
Louis Carter This is such an important initiative and something that is a common theme in my daily discussions with Chief People Officers. More than ever, they want to become a Most Loved Workplace to understand those opportunities to improve the emotional connection and sentiments their employees are feeling towards their workplace. The best moments come when reviewing with them the positive results shown after they address the skills needed to tap into the hearts and minds of their employees and see sentiments turn from negative to positive! I am honored to be along for the ride in this initiative!