A reminder to check in

In the past year, many of us have become more acutely aware of the direct impact world events can have on the way we and our teams show up at work. With increased caregiving obligations, concerns for family members’ health, growing feelings of loneliness, economic uncertainty and worries about personal safety, to name a few, we — as colleagues, friends and leaders — have a role to play in acknowledging the stressors people may be facing. We can do this by reaching out on a personal level, making the professional more personal.

At Ernst & Young LLP, we’ve found that belonging is a sustainable lever for achieving an inclusive workplace environment, and checking in on how others are doing remains to be one of the best ways to make sure people feel heard, supported and valued. This is something we can all do, regardless of our role or rank. And that goes beyond inquiring about work, the status of a project or a perfunctory touch-base. It’s about genuinely asking, “How are you? No, how are you, really?”

The need for one-on-one check-ins cannot be understated. According to a study by the Williams Institute, feelings of isolation and loneliness have increased in the LGBT+ community since the start of COVID-19. And what’s more, an example in the US, research from the Ascend organization found that 58% of Pan-Asian professionals say that anti-Asian attitudes and outbursts are more common now than before the pandemic.

Feelings of isolation and loneliness can linger even as many offices reopen, especially while others continue to work remotely. And this might happen in silence. Studies from the National Conference of State Legislatures found the remote environment may present fresh barriers to people with disabilities — especially if technologies do not include effective accessibility features. So, I would propose that insider-and-outsider dynamics can continue, and no team is immune.

That’s why it can be invaluable to engage on an authentic, individual level when reaching out to people. It can be as simple as sending an email or a text. Regardless of the way we reach out, it communicates that you value, understand and care about someone. These conversations aren’t about solving a problem; they’re about helping people feel seen and heard. It’s also important to be present and curious during these conversations.

By making an effort to connect through a simple step like a check-in, we all have the power to make a difference in the lives of others and in our place of work. This act can help colleagues and team members feel like they belong.

Will you join me in reaching out to someone today? Perhaps you do this by ending a call early to check in with someone you haven’t spoken with in a while or blocking time on your calendar to reach out to a few colleagues you haven’t “seen” this week. As they say, simple acts can go a long way.

Find more tips on how to best check in with a colleague here: https://hbr.org/2019/02/the-surprising-power-of-simply-asking-coworkers-how-theyre-doing

The views expressed by the author are not necessarily those of Ernst & Young LLP or other members of the global EY organization.