Step outside the screen, see what happens.

Spontaneous conversations and chance encounters. Are these merely relics of the past? Do you feel disconnected from others because the remote work life, with endless online meetings has changed the way you are able to connect? Chance meetings and unplanned interactions are becoming less and less common, especially at work. Even though we are slowly returning to office spaces, the confidence and ability of many to connect spontaneously is a challenge and the fear of having to speak with someone about an unknown topic paralyses them.

As we all know, the pandemic had a huge impact on the way we work and many of us still work remotely in the comfort (or discomfort) of our own homes. We work for international companies and have colleagues in all corners of the world. There are endless, planned online meetings and most interactions between colleagues, who are virtual strangers, are scheduled and highly structured. English isn’t the first language of everyone either and misunderstandings, miscommunications and impatience can sometimes erode the sense of well-being of some team members. There are less opportunities to experience those casual, sometimes uncomfortable meetings where we suddenly found ourselves in conversation with people with whom we wouldn’t usually converse. 

These brief conversations over a cup of tea or coffee, at someone’s desk or on the way out of the building were often the source of surprising and interesting moments, not always good necessarily but not always bad either. Sometimes they had unexpected and remarkable outcomes, ideas were borne, feelings were shared. But working online has diminished the opportunity to get to know our colleagues outside of the screen. Feelings of impatience or judgement subside when we have connected with another human being, in person. It is harder to be dismissive or intolerant when we are communicating face to face, where we are immediately accountable for our actions, our body language and our expressions.

 It would seem that this ability to connect face to face spontaneously with people is a skill that is not worth losing. If you do find spontaneous interactions stressful, take small steps, you could try these.

1. Turn up to your online meeting a little early and switch your camera on and say hello.

2.  If you are already present and someone says hello! Respond to them, don’t just sit there in silence. 

3. If you are in the office, look up from your phone or computer occasionally, make eye contact.

4. Leave your phone for a few minutes on your desk and ask a colleague  about their day. 

You will be surprised how a small number of spontaneous interactions can improve your day and your sense of connection. So, if you get the chance to have a momentary chat with one of your colleagues online or off, make the effort to do it, it’s not a waste of time and will help greatly to build understanding, tolerance and believe it or not, well-being and productivity in the long run. Incidentally you may also be surprised to find out just how much you actually have in common.

Giselle Banks