How Community Supports A Crisis

We are in unprecedented times. The entire world is engulfed in a pandemic that has changed everything about our lives as we know it. 

It's changed how we work, where we work, when we work and sadly for many, if we work. What's more, it has changed it for everyone and at the same time.

This week I spoke with colleagues and customers around the world. Inevitably, the conversation starts with Covid-19 and its impact on their well-being, role and society. 

The disruption, the panic and the fear is real. Like nothing we have ever experienced before. 

And whilst it drastically changes the way we go about our daily lives, throughout this unsettling and harrowing period, I'm seeing incredible acts of kindness and innovation. 

I'm seeing organisations pivot their business models - major supermarkets are prioritising their delivery slots and opening certain hours to cater for the vulnerable. 

Local communities are rallying themselves to support vulnerable neighbours who don't have family living close by to take care of them. 

Restaurants are closing their doors but switching their services to provide ready cooked meals for delivery.

Educational publishing organisations are opening up their resources to parents to help continue learning at home (given most of us aren't qualified teachers!)

But it hasn't just changed our local community. It's changed our work community.

I spent years travelling 3-4 hours in a car just to get to and from the office several times a week.  Remote working was a 'perk' to only be used occasionally.

Organisations that have historically refused or limited remote working practices have suddenly had their hand forced. 

As teams are grounded and transport halted, workplace cultures need to digitally adapt...quickly.

If that wasn't enough, parents now find themselves juggling their time between childcare, home schooling and work commitments. 

Basically, the 9 - 5 working window has just been smashed for everyone.

Communication across the company will change massively. Conversations will be fluid, frequent and fast (we love an F word at Tribal). Instead of popping your head over the partition, employees will ping messages via Teams, Slack or something similar. 

Enterprise Social Networks (ESNs), such as SAP JAM, Yammer and Jive, will facilitate internal knowledge exchange more than ever. There are no coffee corners or canteens to 'catch up' at. Collaboration will be 100% remote from this point on.

We'll start to see 'little people' and animals appearing in our video conference calls, surprised at the technology when they see themselves on the screen. 

Nothing can replace face-to-face time with colleagues. However, this disruptive shift will kick-start behaviours that organisations have been trying to facilitate for several years.

It will bring the 'human' back into Human Resources. 

We'll deepen relationships with our colleagues (after seeing their kitchen/work office and their pet dogs and cats). 

We'll digitally connect in a way that will allow each of us to support each other in our networks - whether that's to find a job or replenish food cupboards. 

At times like this, community pulls through. Crisis can be a leveller that brings us back to the most simple and precious things we love about life. 

Community - a purpose that social media was born to facilitate.  It gives me hope.

Keep safe everyone.