Power of face-to-face Connection
These days you often hear people sharing about how they miss going to shops/ parlours/ offices not because they are not able to get these services on-line or at home but because these on-line services have cut them off from informal meeting places in their lives. That is making them feel left out, and they need to venture out even during pandemic days only to feel CONNECTED.
We humans need connection and relationships to thrive and flourish. Relationships make us feel belonged. The challenge with mental stress that the world has witnessed in the last two years is a huge reminder of the fact that our whole being changes when we feel excluded.
Interestingly the shrugged off “small talk” has immense power in building relationships. In conferences & workshops ask participants what sections they enjoyed & learned the most from, and the answer is often “tea breaks” & “no agenda sessions”. Dig deeper and the reasons are fairly simple – tea breaks created an opportunity for people to meet informally, chat, and get to know one another at a personal level. Here we begin to discover commonalities, hear diverse perspectives and we empathize/ listen and connect.
We deepen relationships through connection and the by-product is often increased collaboration connections & innovation.
Why does this happen – because connections create a sense of psychological safety. When we feel connected, we begin to feel safe- supported & trusted. We begin to send positive body messages through smiles, head tilts, eye contact, forward leans, open palms, warm tone of voice which further accelerates the cycle of acceptance & inclusion.
In the new world we have got used to digital platforms, they have served as a great bridge in the global crisis created by covid, the fact remains that face-to-face human connections creates energy exchanges amongst people which have the power to inspire change and build trust in a short span of time.
BY TATVÃ