Rehumanising WorkÂ
Hi Jeremy here! Welcome to another edition of my monthly newsletter. This goes out to over 50,000 leaders worldwide, connected by our shared passion for crafting emotional cultures and creating more emotionally aware leaders and teams.
In your 1:2:1 this month, you'll discover:
- 1 ECD Activity:Â Emotional Blueprint for Returning to Work: Insights from The ECD
- 2 pieces of content to inspire: Why we need ’emotional diversity’ at work right now + In the Changing Role of the Office, It’s All about Moments That Matter.
- 1 Tool/Activity Worth Testing:Â Below the Surface
- ECDTV Episode:Â Breaking the Silence: How Voicing Negative Emotions Transforms the Workplace with Professor Michael ParkeÂ
Scroll down to discover more about rehumanising the workplace...
Latest
1 ECDÂ
Activity: To testÂ
This activity is designed to guide individuals through transitioning back into work after a hiatus. Using The ECD to nudge self-awareness and emotional expression.Â
Step 1:Â Your Last Role
Choose the top five or seven ECD cards that best describe how you felt when you left your last role. Share a story about why you chose each of those cards.
Step 2: The Lead-Up to Your Next Role
Think about the role you're about to begin and select the 5-7 cards that best describe how you feel. Share why you selected each of those cards.
Step 3: Starting your Next Role
Select the five black ECD cards that best describe how you want to feel when you begin your next role. Next, select the five white ECD cards you don't want to feel in the begining of your new role (but might from time to time) in your new role.
2Â Pieces of Content:
To inspire
Here are two pieces of content that I hope will help you see the world slightly differently and provoke you to do the work that matters to humanise the workplace.Â
A truly human workplace is not one that wants to make us happy all the time, contends Tim Leberecht, the cofounder and CEO of the House of Beautiful Business. Emotions are crucial in driving performance, leadership, decision-making, innovation, and commitment in the workplace, with studies indicating that expressing emotions among teams enhances problem-solving and idea generation. But the prevalent culture of "toxic positivity" forces many to suppress genuine emotions, leading to widespread dissatisfaction at work and contributing to a significant wave of resignations during the pandemic, as employees seek environments where they feel valued, trusted, and cared for. To foster a more fulfilling and effective work culture, embracing emotional diversity and empathy, including acknowledging and expressing a wider spectrum of emotions, is essential, with innovative approaches like "Rage Rooms" and movement workshops offering pathways to greater emotional granularity and intimacy within professional settings.
Culture
2. In the Changing Role of the Office, It’s All about Moments That Matter
Microsoft is pioneering a structured flexible work model, empowering individuals and teams to tailor their work settings within company and team guidelines, aimed at balancing the desire for flexibility with the need for in-person connections. Research and internal surveys at Microsoft reveal a hybrid paradox where employees want both the flexibility of remote work and more in-person interactions for strengthening team cohesion, onboarding, and project kick-offs, despite the shift towards more geographically dispersed teams. Key moments for in-person collaboration have been identified as crucial for building social capital, fostering innovation, and enhancing team dynamics, underscoring the importance of intentional planning for when and why teams come together in physical spaces to maximiSe productivity and employee satisfaction in a hybrid work environment.
1 Tool:Â To PlayÂ
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Below The Surface
Below The Surface is a game that unlocks conversations and authentic connections. It helps people expand their communication skills and get to know themselves and each other better.
Check it out here >
Something I've been pondering...
Â
"Voicing our negative emotions at work has long been deemed unacceptable, yet when leaders embrace the discomfort of listening, transformative change begins to unfold."
ECDTV.
New ways. New ideas. New answers. New perspectives. Watch the latest ECDTV videos here...
We invited Assistant Professor Michael Parke from the Wharton School into our Community to share his research and insights into the role of emotions in the workplace. His thoughts offered a refreshing and profound perspective on how negative emotions, often considered a workplace taboo, can actually be a force for good in fostering creativity, teamwork, and overall employee well-being. Below are some highlights and key takeaways from our discussion together.
What you might have missed...
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We hear you.
At riders&elephants we believe in people’s right to express themselves and to tap their emotions to challenge and shift behaviours. Our games help people speak their truth through simple, powerful words. It’s time to lay your cards on the table.
Join us here now >
