The Need For Learning ‘Compassion’ In The Digital Age

Anup Rau Jan 25, 2021

The Coronavirus pandemic has put most businesses at critical crossroads. During these unprecedented times, each industry is faced with its own set of challenges; of staying relevant, innovating faster, staying sustainable and defining their purpose of existence. With lockdowns, most businesses have been moved to digital architecture to conduct their business operations efficiently.

The value of time has increased with people becoming more punctual in the digital age. Interlinked processes have become efficient with timely digital approvals. Company roles have become more defined with people taking more accountability for their tasks and functions. Before the virtual working or the work from home environment, we had the chance to physically meet our colleagues, observe their behaviors and understand & engage them. But now the conversations with our co-workers are shorter, more targeted and goal-oriented. The world is pivoting to a data-driven model. The organisations that demonstrate a deep understanding and management of data will succeed, becoming more resilient to volatility.

However, work-related interactions only on virtual platforms also blur the line between work and home, leading to some level of imbalance and anxiety among the workforce.

Sense Of Belonging

In order to reduce stress and boost employees’ morale of working in a contactless world, managers are required to constantly be in touch with their employees and take proactive steps in resolving their concerns. Particularly as motivation comes from social interactions, leaders' ability to empathise with their employees, extend the human touch, understand their emotions and perception is critical to keep employees focussed and committed to company’s goals.

Organisations that provide their employees the opportunity for two-way communication and building authentic connections by constantly understanding their needs, will also employ the same to their customers. When employees know that they have their leader’s support, they are willing to invest their energy and take smarter risks. It reduces anxiety, the pressure of excelling at the given tasks and makes them resilient to work stress and burnouts. To help fight the emotional stress of employees in these testing times of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown, it is also essential to provide them with necessary social infrastructure and support.

The overall performance of individuals and organisations will improve when we take care of employees’ overall well-being, both physical and mental health. Unhappy employees cannot yield happy customers. Organizations which proclaim their customer-orientation, but have opportunistic relationships with their employees are bound to implode. Therefore, in this goal-oriented, digital era for companies, there is also a need for continuously learning outcomes in the present and future context. It will require visible cognitive knowledge and skills and non-cognitive ones, such as interpersonal, problem-solving, critical thinking, conflict-management skills to be acquired by learners. Emotional intelligence and balance are critical to being able to harvest and implement these skills.

Digitalisation and other forms of technological advancement have enormous potential to improve our lives and act as an accelerator of change to support and build self-awareness, self-reliance and resilience. But the businesses that will thrive will be the ones who can create lasting experiences and build strong communities rooted in trust and solid relationships.