Recent article by Michael Stallard, written through my association with ATD ( Association of Training & Development). It especially rings true for me as I coach all generations of employees, and isolation, even with lots of associates around each individual, is a ‘real’ thing. Here are some suggestions for constructively dealing with this ‘epidemic’.
‘Much has been written about America’s loneliness epidemic, including in the workplace. The word “loneliness” in the work context is a misnomer. It doesn’t capture the whole story. And what about the individuals who might not think of themselves as lonely and how the demands of work and task-oriented activities, such as time in front of screens, have crowded out time for anything more than superficial relationships?’
‘Many people lack sufficient positive human connection (or social connection) and might be unaware of the ramifications. Left unchecked, the deficiency of connection presents widespread risks to individuals and organizations. ‘
Social connection is a primal human need. Its presence appears to improve the cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems’ performance. In contrast, studies have shown that disconnection is unhealthy for individuals.
Prevalence of Social Disconnection
‘A considerable amount of evidence suggests that social disconnection is prevalent today. Cigna reported data in 2018 that chronic loneliness in America had reached epidemic levels, which is consistent with an earlier analysis on the potential public health relevance of social isolation and loneliness.’
‘It would appear that over the next decade the workforce may become even more disconnected. Since 2011, research on adolescents has found they spend more time interacting with electronic devices than with each other while also experiencing declining well-being. As artificial intelligence further increases the presence and role of machines in people’s lives, people’s ability to connect may diminish.’
Big Hint / Idea from Alysia:
The article by Mike Stallard continues to say the way to ‘cope with stress is to increase positive social connections’.
Here is how I work with groups – I introduce the Social Portfolio Grid
(Email Alysia for a copy: alysia@kehoeconsultants.com)
Make a 4 quadrant grid:
Group Efforts Individual Efforts
Group / High Mobility Individual / High Mobility
i.e. Exercise Class i.e. Walking
Group / Low Mobility Individual / Low Mobility
i.e. Taking Art Classes i.e. Hobbies
The Role of Chronic Stress in the Work Place
‘Why is social disconnection problematic in the workplace? Stress is a primary factor. While it is a term we often hear, it is difficult to fully comprehend the far-reaching psychological and physiological consequences associated with it.
In measured amounts, stress serves to ready the nervous system for the task at hand and can be a good thing.’
‘However, as Ted George, a physician with the National Institutes of Health describes in his book Untangling the Mind, stress can also have negative effects.
With increasing levels of stress, the nervous system processes the stress as a threat; and in extreme circumstances, stress moves the individual from being guided by rational thought processes to the instinctual responses characterized as “fight,” “flight,” and “shutdown.”’
‘One of the best-known means to cope with stress is to increase positive social connections. Being in an environment that fosters supportive relationships and human connection serves to stabilize the responses of the nervous system, preventing it from processing the stressor as a threat.’
Learn more next week in Part 2 on methods for combating isolation in the workplace.