Screen time. News feeds. CoPilot. AI. Stats. Claude. Emails. Ads. Tik-Tok. Social media.
So many things are constantly vying for your attention. And it’s certainly no different at work. With multiple screens and a phone (or two) angled towards your face – you’re always waiting for one to light up and require immediate attention.
How technology is changing the way we work
As a millennial, I can (just about) remember life before mobile phones and a time when laptops were wheeled into the classroom on a trolley so we could banish that damn paperclip from Microsoft Word or create something ‘mint’ in Comic Sans. Fast-forward to today, and I’m constantly triaging content that demands God-tier levels of personal engagement.
Being in a Client Services role, I’m pretty good at managing my time, but my focus is constantly being pulled in different directions. Apart from the occasional cat video on Instagram, I find my focus slipping – unless I’m listening directly to another human being. If they’re engaging and I’m interested in what they’re saying, it doesn’t matter how many distractions are flashing in my face – I’m all ears.
Why genuine human interaction still matters at work
I’m fortunate to work with several global businesses. Each has their own quirks and nuances, but all have something in common – a general lack of human-to-human connection. Even during virtual calls hosted by leadership, colleagues can be seen glancing at their second screen to check emails, finish decks or just look busy.
Is it a fear of appearing to have capacity? Missing out on something or being forgotten? I’m not quite sure.
Tech and AI efficiencies are great, but the more automated systems and processes become, the more value authentic human interaction has – in my opinion anyway.
We were recently asked about how we’d recommend hearing the views of a 35-strong audience flying in from different corners of the world for an in-person session. Many would suggest a virtual poll prompted by scanning an on-screen QR code. Instead, we recommended that the presenter should get down off the stage and speak to audience members, one to one.
These people had travelled far to be in the room and were already engaged. Respecting their perspective demanded more than a convenient technology-based solution.
The future of work is more human, not less
As our attention becomes harder to hold and our reliance on technology grows, genuine human connection is becoming more valuable than ever. In a world full of noise, being truly seen and heard is what reminds us we’re human.