Simon Sinek also vlogged on the importance of in-person contact as the fabric that holds us together. While virtual working is great for the convenience of rolling out of bed and into the office, it has begun to wear thin as we miss the close connection of human spirit.

The virtual office also falls short when we are trying to retain or build trust. In the virtual world, it’s easy to start discounting others by missing the non-verbal cues that take place behind the screen. Zoom meetings can become cold and impersonal – losing that sense of shared purpose, which is what we love about work.

Around a real table, we notice body language and can ask team members to speak. In the virtual office, these subtleties are easily lost, leaving fresh ideas on the floor.

It’s very clear, though, that we aren’t going back to ‘businesses as usual’ because we have all changed, as has the world around us. Future life will be a blend of the best of flexi-time, work from home, virtual meetings that eliminate travel, including distance mentoring and online training.

What we will do is get back to the essence of what it means to belong to the workplace family – kindness, respect, trust, and a shared passion for serving, but I am going to miss my furry slippers!

So, perhaps this week, my quest is for slower, more reflective days in which we get to celebrate the uniqueness, skills, and wonder of the people we work with, face to face.

Have a fabulous week.

With kind regards,

Catherine