The REAL Employee - The lock down advantage!
After months of working remotely due to COVID-19 and the eventual lock down it has been great to reflect on the advantages and disadvantages from being distanced from team and co-workers. I have found that some meetings will always work better face to face in an office environment such as brainstorming and strategy meetings. We have found ways to make it work through virtual whiteboards, various programs and apps, but in certain circumstances nothing will be able to replace that face to face interaction. The debate, the challenge, even the flip-chart for certain types of meetings. There are also so many advantages of working remotely from one another during these crazy times. That is certainly true for the more individual tasks and update meetings. However, by far the most valuable positive I have experienced is getting to know the REAL employee. Authenticity is a word that is used a lot in today’s business environment, and I am a big fan of the term and truly believe that a person’s individuality and perspective makes the collective stronger. It has been great to see people in the online work environment let their guard down and be REAL. From being on meetings with their pets, their loved ones, in their gym gear! We have all got to know one another that little bit more. Know what makes people tick, and insight into their life. Remember 3 years ago on the BBC when a professor was being interviewed and he was interrupted by his kids? That went viral and made global headlines. It was big news!Today that is an every day occurrence and frankly I love it! I have also had the fortune of connecting with colleagues whilst on a run, meetings in the park (2 meters apart of course) and even conducting interviews on a park bench. If there is one big positive from our experience over the last few months it is that we may have got a little more insight into our colleagues, a little more of the personal has entered the business space, a little more of the REAL employee. It makes us all that more human and even more connected it a remote world. I for one hope we can maintain this new connection and this realness with one another.
Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer at Jazz Pharmaceuticals
3yAgreed, especially if folks feel comfortable sharing a glimpse into their home with their zoom background. I also love the way WFH levels up the participants on a call....no longer having to shout “it’s X here” to get the attention of people in a meeting room when you’re the only one WFH!
Bridging Business Horizons
3yRemote working or homeoffice will be playing a bigger role also in the near future. The biggest advantage is time saving from home to the office workplace. For your point with brainstorming or important face 2 face meetings it could be shifted in 1-2 days at the office workplace. We made really great experience within our company since we had that above described model from beginning. Anyway we do need some new regulations concerning insurance.
Chief Commercial Officer of Accor Premium, Midscale, Economy Brands in Europe & North Africa
3yGreat article Gerry and all so true! Grateful for the insights this time has shown me and my teams - we’re stronger together for it.
Customer Engagement & Omnichannel Marketing Leader | Driving Growth in Healthcare Industry
3yAgrees! Work from home certainly let us witness more sides of a colleague/friend - the other side that is more 'real' as you mention. I see it more as the 'let your hair down' days as we are always usually prim and proper in office settings. I especially like that part where we get to know more of our colleagues, their kids....and sometimes even pets!