Have we forgotten how to relate?

Now it's time to go on vacation. Long awaited. Scary. Fun. Exciting. And wonderful. All at the same time. It is time for the whole family to live together. Home or away. Near. Dear. And we are supposed to handle everything else as well. That's what we do these days. But have we forgotten how we relate to each other?

You can always work these days.

After the pandemic and all the restrictions, there is no longer any full stop. We can work anytime, anywhere, everywhere, all the time. And we do it. Respond to emails. Certify an invoice. Thinking about a delivery. Meet a deadline. What we have forgotten is how we relate to each other. In the family and at work.

Are you supposed to be nice as well?

At work, a new stress has appeared this year. You must still be as efficient as when you sat isolated at home and produce all day. At the same time as going back to work and having all the big and small relationships. Do we have time to be social at work? Before, it was a necessity and columns were written about how to get an organization together with the help of meeting places. Official and informal. Now we only run pre-booked Teams meetings. Where we can sit quietly and work while pretending to listen. Afterwards, we can be satisfied that we are still effective.

Do we have time to relate?

And how do companies think. If you count on the reduced efficiency when you want the employees to go back to the workplace. Or is it just a control function of stressed middle managers? As you know yourself, you know others. Or do they think that efficiency should be maintained. Even though you have coffee, talk at the printer, pop into someone's office for a quick reconciliation and so on. What we call relating to others in everyday speach. Which is so important in all organizational theory.

Do we need to learn how to relate again?

Of course, there are jobs and tasks that are best done “live”. Brainstorming is difficult when you don't see each other and can feel how an idea is received. And how the answers tick on. Is it hot or just quick? And of course all the production industry. It is difficult to build a car online. But otherwise. Is it really best to go back to the workplace? Do we need to set aside time to relearn what it's like to socialize with other people. People that you didn't choose entirely yourself, but with whom you must collaborate. 

How do you create a good company culture?

There are a lot of different ways to create a good company culture. It can be based on relationships, a clear vision, common values, and so on. If you did not grow up on the same street, or studied together, it is an advantage if you share the same values and the same vision. Agrowing body of research shows that values-driven organizations are more successful. In value-driven companies, you don't need to constantly monitor your employees, instead they manage their tasks based on common goals. When you share vision and goals, it is easy to choose a path in development and expansion. It is also easier to handle new hires if you know what you are looking for and what values you prefer. 

Do you want to know more about how to build a value-driven organization? 
Get in touch with klas @ kip.se