COVID-19 has been a mixed bag for the world of work. Whilst for some it has been a wholly negative experience, bringing redundancy, social isolation, and new erratic working conditions, for others it has brought immeasurable benefits.
One such benefit is the ‘humanisation of the professional’. No longer is the label ‘professional’ disassociated from the personal self. Instead, COVID-19 has brought working teams into the homes of their colleagues, with guest appearances from children, partners, and pets being a frequent feature of Zoom meetings. The days in which the person and the professional are wholly disconnected certainly seems to be a thing of the past. Instead, there now seems to be a new interest and care about the personal side of professionalism. This humanisation of the professional is undeniably a positive development in a world where many professions are being disrupted and de-humanised by robotics and AI.
The transition towards a more human workplace is, however, not yet complete. Humanisation should be taken to its logical conclusion: the public realisation and support of what it really means to be human – the struggle to survive, connect, contribute, and grow. If there is one common denominator that unites every human on the planet regardless of origin, language, or religious belief, it is the fact that everyone struggles with something in their lives. Be it challenging family dynamics, health problems, personal insecurities, doubts, or debt – in some form or another, there is a weight that everyone carries on their shoulders. Creating workplaces where people can be open about this is the natural end point of the humanisation process precipitated by the pandemic.
Whilst the pandemic has brought an increased openness about the superficialities of the person behind the professional – what their homes look like, how many children they have, how yappy their dogs are – it has not yet brought an increased openness about personal struggles. Some may argue that such topics have no place in the professional world, but this article would counter that view.
The service one provides as a professional is a result of the person behind the title. That person is the result of the cumulative experiences they have had and the challenges they face in their lives. Therefore, the struggles that professionals face personally are relevant. This is true not only from a wellbeing point of view, so that companies can support the health, wealth, and wellbeing of their employees, or from a relational point of view, so colleagues can develop deeper connections, but also professionally, since often the greatest struggles that people face in life are the personal ones. Thus, companies that foster environments that are open, supportive and understanding of their people, their strengths as well as their challenges, will be better able to unlock their potential and harness their strengths and abilities.
For too long there has been a stigma about personal struggle in the workplace. This is in some ways understandable since showing personal weakness can make one vulnerable, either to being fired, side-lined on projects, or passed over for promotion. Whilst COVID-19 has propelled the world of work beyond the superficial niceties of water cooler conversations, enough has not yet been done to break the stigma surrounding personal struggle and realise the benefits for individuals, from both a professional and personal perspective, that would result from the fully realised humanisation of the professional.
Sukhi R. is a graduate from Warwick Law School currently studying an MSc in Business with Consulting at Warwick Business School. She has a keen interest in the business psychology of consulting and plans to enter the industry in the near future.
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