*Workday Podcast: Creating a Sense of Belonging in a Hybrid Work Environment*
Workday Staff Writer
The widespread growth of remote work changed the workplace as we knew it. Messaging apps became the new office hallways. Camera on in a video meeting became the new definition of face-to-face time. And along with those changes, organizations had to start rethinking how they foster company culture and a sense of belonging in the new virtual workplace.
For our VIBE™ Voices blog series and the Workday Podcast, we chatted with Erica Dhawan, author of “Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection No Matter the Distance,” about how organizations can create a sense of belonging in a hybrid work environment.
Here are a few highlights from Dhawan, edited for clarity. You can also find our other Workday Podcast episodes here.
“Through my research, I’ve come to discover that in a digital or even hybrid world, body language hasn’t disappeared. It has transformed. We now infuse what I call digital body language, which are the cues and signals we send in our digital communication that make up the subtext of our messages.”
“What’s important for leaders right now is to help their teams choose thoughtfulness over hastiness, to make sure that the new version of face time doesn’t become who responded to the IM [instant message] or the email the quickest but instead rewards the thoughtfulness of ideas.”
“In a hybrid work environment, don’t be brief—be clear. Reading carefully is the new listening. Writing clearly is the new empathy. Second, don’t forget to show gratitude. If someone stayed up all night working on something and they get a ‘K.’ message or a ‘THX,’ they don’t feel the ‘thank you.’ Take the time to really acknowledge and show appreciation. And last but not least, don’t be hasty—be thoughtful. Remember when to choose the right channel or slow down to speed up.”
Listen Now
