{"id":188,"date":"2020-10-05T15:06:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-05T15:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realtrends.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/05\/zoomed-out-the-need-for-human-connection\/"},"modified":"2025-03-13T01:59:56","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T01:59:56","slug":"zoomed-out-the-need-for-human-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realtrends.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/05\/zoomed-out-the-need-for-human-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"Zoomed Out: The Need for Human Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/span><\/strong>Are you losing connection with your associates with too many virtual conference calls?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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When the pandemic required lockdown in March, many leaders turned to Zoom (or similar digital platforms) to connect and communicate with their associates. This was an important and critical move as many associates were afraid and confused. Electronic meetings brought them together and attendance soared. Many leaders commented, \u201cZoom meetings may be the new abnormal<\/em> going forward. We are getting a much higher attendance rate with virtual meetings. We may not return to live meetings.\u201d <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Fast forward four months and some leaders report attendance dropping to as low as 25%\u2014and that assumes their associates are really there. How do you know when their video is turned off? As one leader said, \u201cZoom worked
early on, but now I feel our people are Zoomed out. We are losing connection, communication and our culture.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Need for Human Connection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Psychologists report that over 40% of Americans are suffering from loneliness\u2014a severe lack of human connection. <\/span>Zoom is not a substitute. A Fortune<\/em> magazine<\/span> article (Humans Are Underrated) <\/span>says that an increase in electronic communication results in a reduction of empathy, which is the ability to understand and appreciate the feelings of another human. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a need for a return to live meetings? Psychologists say, \u201cYes.\u201d Will associates feel safe meeting in groups again? An indication is our live Ninja classes are selling out in 90 minutes compared to the usual two weeks. People are craving human connection, even if they have to wear a mask and stay six feet apart. As one student in a recent class said to me, \u201cI may still be afraid of dying, but I\u2019m no longer afraid to live!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Role of Leadership and Connection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A study in Forbes<\/em> magazine asked 4,000 leaders what areas they were focusing on <\/span>for personal improvement. A better under<\/span>standing of finance and technology were <\/span>the top two areas reported. The study then asked the associates working for those leaders, what areas did they feel their leaders needed to concentrate on for improvement. Here\u2019s their response: <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Leadership. <\/span><\/strong>\u201cWhere are you taking me?\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n
  2. Emotional Intelligence.<\/span><\/strong>\u201cHow are you<\/span><\/em> treating me?<\/span><\/em>\u201d<\/span>
    <\/span>
    Associates want to feel: <\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Valued. <\/span><\/strong>\u201cI notice you matter.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n
  4. Inspired. <\/span><\/strong>\u201cHere\u2019s where we are going together.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n
  5. Empowered. <\/span><\/strong>\u201cI trust you to help us get there.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    For an excellent leadership video on this, watch Craig Groeschel\u2019s keynote speech at the Global Leadership Summit, watch<\/span><\/p>\n

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