Unprecedented. It's a word that's overused so much that it might have lost its meaning, until the advent of the COVID-19 crisis which brought about a truly unprecedented situation. Among other things, it had caused millions of people who are part of the global workforce to transition into work-from-home mode virtually overnight.

It was a completely new ballgame. Processes were put in place to ensure productivity, but there was one important element in the equation that needed a deeper understanding. The people.

Now more than ever, it became absolutely essential to treat employees for what they really are: humans and not robots. For most of us, our daily interactions come from our colleagues. Having to isolate ourselves at home has meant that these interactions would not be possible for the foreseeable future, giving rise to higher numbers of anxiety and loneliness.

Fortunately for all of us, this lack of connection could be bridged with good old human empathy and ingenuity. Let's find out how.

Going beyond backgrounds

The world might have moved from physical meetings to video conferences, but it's still possible to build a good rapport with your fellow co-workers. Understanding that what you see on your screen is only part of the story, it can be helpful to learn what lies beyond the backgrounds.

Try to build a “shared understanding” of each others’ lives. Make time for the mid-work banter you were once accustomed to and use it to understand their lives at home. This helps us empathize with why a call may go unanswered, with a toddler using the phone for their zoom classes, and so on.

Respecting individual choices

It is also important to recognize boundaries and respect them. While video calls can reduce feelings of isolation, for some of us, it can be an unwelcome intrusion into our personal lives. Perhaps we live with larger families and getting personal spaces to take video calls can prove to be a challenge. Perhaps we've missed our regular appointments at the barbershops and salons, thereby feeling a little less than 'presentable'. Perhaps we’re just introverts. Every reason is valid. Plan calls and meetings by taking everyone's concerns into consideration.

Continuing office traditions

Maintain a sense of normalcy by adapting daily routines from regular workdays into the current scenario. With coffee breaks being an essential part of the day when co-workers can catch up with each other and blow off steam, continue the tradition by setting up a link for a video call through the day where employees can login and logout whenever they feel like taking a coffee break. During festival season, encourage employees to continue with the tradition of ethnic days with a festival-themed video call.

Building new normals

Adapt to the changed environment by using technology to bring in the human connection. If you are used to working with co-workers around, try a group working session on a video call. Schedule weekly catch-up sessions with everyone on the team. Try out a collaborative cooking challenge where everybody takes up a recipe, makes the dish and sits down together for a meal. The possibilities are endless.

Inviting family over

Witnessing a baby, cat or dog walk across the screen during a video call is no longer considered unprofessional. Get to know your co-workers' families to build stronger bonds. Try scheduling a playdate on video call for your children and your co-worker's children. It keeps the children entertained and gives you the me-time you've been looking for.

Reinventing your company work culture with these steps helps you and your team stay connected and engaged. Let's get through this together.