Mastering Presence in a Digital World: How Technology Shapes Our Workplace

I've noticed that my life is an endless sequence of screens. It begins in the morning when I read the news over coffee on a screen. Then I drive to work, using the car's screen for navigation, start my day by reading emails, take my computer to meetings, and check and respond to phone messages several times an hour. In the evening, I finish off with a Netflix series while scrolling through Facebook simultaneously. It's gotten out of control! I have no doubt that I have an overuse of screen time. I am in reality overstimulated by screens.

Digital Distraction

But I'm probably not the only one with this problem. During meetings, everyone sits with their laptops, seemingly to take notes, but in reality, they are answering emails, scheduling meetings, and responding to Messenger. When I have 1-on-1 meetings with people, we both place our phones on the table next to us, even though they are faced screen down; they still get checked every time they vibrate. Being present, focused, and engaged in interactions with others has become a challenge that I am aware of, and I see many others struggling with it as well.

While I am physically present, genuine presence is lacking towards the people I am with. I'm listening, but not really to them; instead, I'm listening to my own inner dialogue and thinking about the next task on my to-do list. What's most absurd is that I actually become extremely annoyed when others do the same to me. In my family, we try to abide by the rule that phones are not allowed at the table during meals. But as soon as I'm at work, my phone is with me everywhere.

Presence - A Key to Job Satisfaction

Whether we do it consciously or not, our relationship with technology in the workplace is threatening our presence and relationships with other people.

Why is mastering presence in the workplace so important? As humans, we have fundamental needs to feel seen, heard, and acknowledged. Being seen, heard, and acknowledged has been documented to contribute to employee well-being and job satisfaction. It creates a sense of respect and the feeling that one's efforts are valued and important.

When we are not present, and our thoughts are elsewhere, we send a signal that what the other person is saying or doing is unimportant or irrelevant. It's not interesting enough for us to focus our energy on. Lack of presence is therefore a direct threat to employee well-being.

Researchers have delved into the source of job satisfaction and found that it largely stems from positive relationships in the workplace. The more positive connections and relationships among colleagues, the greater job satisfaction. These connections only form when we are attentive and present in the moment. It is in the interaction between people that actual value is created. And when our interaction with others ends with one or both parties not being present and having their attention elsewhere, it triggers a stress response in our brains. It happens because we don't feel that our value as an employee and a human is recognized.

5 Minutes of Full Attention

So when was the last time you listened to a colleague or employee and truly listened? Had full focus and were completely present? Have you put away all technology, not thought about anything else, looked them in the eyes, listened to their words, and inquired about the origins and real meaning of their words? Maybe that should be today's task – just 5 minutes.