Wired To Be Together: Leveraging Technology Today

 

Technology has fundamentally changed the way we live. Not just the speed with which information is exchanged, but also the way we interact as human beings. Studies have shown that social media, for example, is actually reshaping the way we think, how we perceive the world and our place within it. Some may argue technology has had a negative impact on society, eroding our human interactions, leaving us feeling lonely and isolated, or worse yet, creating virtual barriers that perpetuate bullying and the ability to hide behind a fake persona.

Others thrive on the ability to "link in," "follow" or "like" people who they may not otherwise have access to. They leverage technology to stay connected to friends and family. After all, it can be a great networking tool if it’s used correctly (let me emphasize that: IF it is used correctly).

While the way technology is used may vary by generation, we are all impacted by it both personally and professionally. It’s well documented that Millennials (aka the "digital natives") prefer to communicate via technology, seeing a text message as a far more efficient way to communicate than an email exchange or even a telephone call that Gen X and Boomers may engage in. As a former human resources leader, and now the head of the largest HR association in New England, I see firsthand the impact of technology – both the positive and negative. I’ve used it myself to broaden my network, market our organization to potential sponsors and communicate the benefits of membership to the HR community. Since most of my family lives 3,000 miles away, I rely on technology to keep in touch with them. But I’ve also fallen into the trap of allowing technology to replace real conversations, especially if those conversations are difficult.

Convenience aside, one thing is for certain technology cannot replace the impact of real human interaction. We are social animals. We are wired for human contact. The ability to stand in front of someone, make eye contact, shake their hand and read their body language allows us to connect in ways that even the most sophisticated technology does not. We feed off of each other’s energy, negative or positive. It is the very thing that has helped us evolve into the society we are today.

As I’m writing this, we are gearing up for our Annual Fall Conference, which will be held on Cape Cod this year. Over 400 HR professionals will descend upon the Cape for three days for an opportunity to learn, connect and rejuvenate. At one point, I really thought we may stop holding an annual conference. With low attendance numbers from 2009 to 2013, I thought perhaps everything was going to become virtual; that our programming would be all web-based and our entire delivery model would be "in the cloud."

While some of that has become reality, the opposite has actually started to occur. In the last 18 months, conference attendance across the country has been on the rise. The economy has definitely been a contributing factor, but I also believe that people are really craving human interaction and an opportunity to come together as a community.

So in the end, perhaps it’s all about balance. Leveraging technology to make initial connections and/or stay connected when distance is a factor, but then putting down the smart phone, shutting the laptop and connecting with one another in the way in which we are truly wired to do.

NEHRA - Northeast Human Resource Association 781-235-2900 | www.nehra.com