For the past few weeks, like many around the world, I have been working from home. Surprisingly, I have learned more about my colleagues in this short span than ever before. Some things I have experienced:

• Colleagues sharing photos of cute “office assistant” pets

• Kids appearing in video calls – side-by-side mom or dad (an angry wail, a joyful giggle)

• Video shares of art collections, decorations and hobbies

• Humorous coworkers keeping the energy positive and the laughs contagious

• Virtual happy hours via Skype, Teams and Zoom (yep, all three!)

Some may feel these things are a distraction, or unprofessional, but I am truly thankful for the opportunity to connect. As an introvert, I feel like I have learned more about my colleagues in the past two weeks than in the past two years! Although communication profiles consistently report that I “tend to be somewhat private, and may fail to make connections with people in the workplace.” They also state that I “value collaboration, like helping people and enjoy working with those who genuinely care about one another.” This new way of working seems to allow both sides to grow.

Though seemingly contradictory, this makes sense. As social beings, humans need to connect. In Matthew Lieberman’s book, Social: Why Our Brains are Wired to Connect, he explains our brains were wired for “reaching out to and interacting with others. These social adaptations,” he writes, “are central to making us the most successful species on earth.”

On a call with my dad (whom I have talked with twice this week-what?), he mused that maybe society will adopt new technologies to embrace a socially distant future. Will school children forgo the classroom and study only online? Will people stop sitting down together at restaurants and use meal pick-up service permanently? Will workplaces no longer erect buildings and instead hire home-workers to telecommute?

I don’t think so. As someone who most often defined my value by my work, I hope to carry some of today’s lessons forward. Can we embrace some of the cool technologies to work more efficiently and connect with one another more deeply? Can we maintain the vision of “we are in this together” and lend a hand up to those around us more often?  I hope, yes. 

I envision a future in which business leaders develop social skills to better understand the needs of their workers, schools help children feel a sense of belonging, and workers recognize that although being productive is important, equally important are family, friends and community.  I imagine a time in which we connect with one another (together and apart) with more purpose and intention.

One of my favorite authors, Brené Brown (Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone) defines connection as, “the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” With my recent insights, I look forward to connecting more, listening deeply and providing strength to others where I can. How about you? Reach out if you would like to connect!