06.09.2020

 

For some time now, the minds have been divided when we look into the future. Who or what will make the race? Machine or human? Or to put it better: if the machine, if digitalization takes its place – where will the human be? What remains of the human being? Where is his sweet spot?
Well, if human, then humane.

Digital determines the frame

The inspiration for this somewhat different case came from a recent experience. It was about a virtual pitch. A new external partner in the area of leadership development was to be acquired. In COVID 19 times such sessions are done remotely. And that has certainly its advantages. Especially in the scalability. More stakeholders can get an impression in less time. The decision is based on a broader data basis. A clear point win for digitization.

In the pitch, eight representatives from the client side were in the conference call. There were two of us: more participants seemed inappropriate for the short time frame. Everyone should have their own room – especially the potential customer.
A small window on the PC shared by ten people and a slide.

Remote and human

Meanwhile it is familiar to us, the calls with the 2-150 participants in their little windows. And yet these encounters are foreign to us as a result of our socialization. Especially in this new pitch application.
How should one behave there? When do you say what? What exactly do you say? What do you do when you don’t say anything?
First, you have to find your place in the machine. Until then, it is probably best to remain “neutral”.
With the conclusion: 10 static images meet. At the presenter a slide faces a human being. And 9 watch. Few people, a lot remote.

Communication in virtual space

One would not describe this as human. Something is missing. When communicating in virtual space, the atmosphere in the room is already missing due to the remote situation. If the communication channel “body language” is closed now, we are already quite close to machine language. And somehow it doesn’t really jump over. Nothing is created, except data transmission. In the case of a dialog, there may be mutual data transmission.

And the human being…

None of this really does justice to him. Deep down, he is insecure. He is missing something. The “nuances”, the reading of facial expressions and gestures and the interaction directed towards them. The magic that can arise from interaction and the appreciation that is felt when a reaction to self-expression takes place.
That would be human. According to the human being. If human, then humane. A member of the said pitch has done just that. Sometimes smiled, then pointed his thumb up or shook his head once. How wonderful. A feedback.

If human, then humane

The named pitch showed what characterizes our time. Indeed, this kind of interpersonal encounter cannot only be described in virtual space. There are several cases, also in direct contact, where we humans are next to each other instead of with each other. Where there is simply no reaction to emotional statements. Where neither body language nor the word is apparent.
That is digital, factual and neutral.

If it is to be alive, moving and emotional and thus human, which does justice to the human being, then it would be advisable to check and align your own mindset.

In which attitude do you enter into (virtual) contact with the other person? What is good for the other person/system? What promotes the development of the highest potential in the situation? What can one contribute oneself to make a spatially and/or objectively distanced process “human”? How can one’s own liveliness be expressed?

From the passive attendee to the active co-creator. This does justice to the human being. If human, then humane.

You shape the future.
With us it works well.
From person to person.

 

08.09.2020