How old-skool are you?
We’ve just lived through the biggest reset the world population has ever experienced. We took the pressure out of our lives and went digital native. But at what cost?
Are you now socially anxious – but on a whole new level?
Do you find small talk tough?
Here’s a radical thought … it’s not you. Tech took control during lockdown to brainfeed us doomscrolling and hyper-addictive platforms … hell this is being posted on one of them!!
Post lockdown, we were so addicted we couldn’t give our screens up despite all the psychologists and doctors telling us how bad it all was. Countless people have already stopped reading this because it is too long … it’s literally only 10 lines or so!
I have to hit you with dopamine every 8 seconds otherwise you have already switched off.
So for those still with me … thank you, it is appreciated.
Maybe you’re one of those embracing the old skool?
new behaviour bad?!
If I say, “Do you want a Teams call” – did you just shudder and say in your head …
Gawd no !! Please no!!
You’re not the only one! Let’s play out a typical Teams meeting…
The meeting starts at 10 am. Your headphones don’t connect immediately. You swear just in time to announce to the team
“F**King headphones”
because you weren’t muted. You look up at the screen. Same bored faces with those cheesy fake backgrounds because no one needs to know you are in the lounge. Then the crowd of “camera off” people you know join like kids in a classroom to get their ‘attendance mark.’ The meeting starts and then the late ones arrive unmuted of course. You try to follow the meeting but no one wants to be there and you can actively most are doing something else. You end the meeting with the same 2 people taking all the actions because someone has to do the work. You hang up and go back to your day job.
So let’s agree. The new behaviours we had to use during lockdown just suck. They do. It’s not the social side either, it’s meetings primarily. When you go out, it’s not bad at all, it’s just those workspace meetings. Especially client meetings … pure hell !!! Digital burnout much?
This meeting should have been an email
Old Behaviour Good !?
Do you fancy an in-person meeting?
Nooo!
“I know an amazing cafe – the coffee is awesome. Just ‘wow’ good. shall we say 10 am”
The mood is light jazz music, nice and relaxed. You’re not allowed any cakes because they are just too good, but I can recommend the cookies because they actually make them on-site.
OK I’m tempted
We meet outside just as the rain stops (#Manchester !). Your train was late and you got lost getting across town. But that’s OK.
“You’re here now, great to see you. Let’s get warm shall we?”
Big shaking hands – what am I talking about, big hugs, it’s been too long friend. Let’s get in the queue and work out what crazy concoction we’re going to drink.
“Nah, I’ll buy don’t worry about it.”
We take a seat with the window and watch the rain start up again.
“Here’s my business card … how was your journey – what happened?
Oh wow.
So glad to see you.
Listen … down to business.”
Yes, we swap business cards. Wow, nice, I like that edge you’ve got on your card. Oh wow, Manchester address, that’s cool.
You notice the nice suit jacket, nice-cut jeans, and Converse sneakers. Obviously!
Not so horrific after all. A couple of hours pass. We talk about our families, you relax in the seats. We talk business. We talk about people we know. A 2-hour meeting suddenly ends because you need to get a train back .. but somehow you don’t want to leave! You pick up your phone for the first time in 2 hours, almost reluctantly.
This is actually making some sense to me!
Really?
I have never had so many face-to-face meetings ever and I guess some of you out there suddenly remember the best bits of the ‘before times’ and we are starting to bring some of them back.
I know that many will talk about anxiety. You’re right. Social anxiety is an absolute ass. But is a Teams meeting going to help you? Or a friendly face that you can open up to non-judgementally talking about their issues with it too? I know some of you on that journey right now and yeah … I keep seeing you at events too because it can be conquered.
Is there a trick?
Personally, as a non-expert in anything, yes. I believe that there is there is something going on with this in-person meeting style in light of the post-lockdown tech fatigue.
We are finally remembering what it felt like to use all 5 senses.
- Touch
- Taste
- Smell
- Sound
- The other one .. go one .. Sight
What about the other bits too? psychology, empathy, communication, actively listening, mental well-being?
Just think about this in your next Teams call … Sight, Sound ……… ummmm ……. nothing.
Now, think about the scenario above in the in-person meeting. What got ticked there? All and more!
So let’s be Old Skool
Let’s take the Old Skool and update New Skool and let’s rebuild! Take all the good bits and bring it back better than ever,
And I back all this up with my proof to you. Are you ready to unplug …
Yep, genuinely I am opening myself up for meeting up with you in Manchester – yes, you’re coming to Manchester for a cuppa (we use Yorkshire Tea because it’s the best but we’ll overlook that!). We’ll put the world to rights. We’ll build plans. I might introduce you to some amazing people that I know. All you need to do is buy a cuppa.
Or we can have a Teams call … I don’t know about you but I can smell the coffee from here.
Can you smell the coffee?
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