The Time to Return to People is Now
The Time to Return to People is Now
Article written by John Christensen, Founder & CEO of FISH!, Advocate for Joy, Publisher, Film maker and Servant Leader.
The time to return to people is now. After four years of adapting to new norms and reshaping the way we live and work, one thing has become undeniably clear: what we miss most—and what we need most—is each other.
The Great Shutdown turned our world inside out, pulling us away from familiar rhythms and forcing us into a world of remote everything—work, school, even weddings. In the midst of the upheaval, many of us clung to the hope of a return to “normal.” But as the dust has settled, it’s clear that things didn’t go back to the way they were. And maybe that’s for the best.
Instead of looking backward, we’ve streamlined, adapted, and carried on. We’ve questioned old routines, discarded the unnecessary, and found new ways to reclaim our time. Yet one challenge remains: how will we choose to re-engage with one another as we move forward?
How will we choose to re-engage with one another as we move forward?
What Do We Carry Forward?
The last four years taught us a lot about efficiency. We’ve embraced flexible work schedules, reduced traffic jams, and reclaimed hours previously spent in endless, often unproductive, meetings. The drudgery of work as we knew it has started to fade, replaced by a more intentional approach to how we spend our time.
But amidst this progress, something irreplaceable was lost: the people part. And we hunger for it.
Human connection—the heart and soul of every workplace, family, and community—cannot flourish when reduced to squares on a Zoom screen or a thumbs-up emoji in a chat box. Sure, we can survive that way for a while. But survival is not thriving. As we collectively rebuild, the hunger for genuine connection grows stronger. And like a newborn spring calf getting its legs underneath it, we stumble toward it, bumping our knees and tripping on our own toes along the way. We have no choice. We have to move forward.
The Heart of Connection is the People Part
At FISH!, we’ve always known where the magic happens. We saw it on the very first day, in the very first minute, when we visited the fishmongers at Pike Place Market. Their “office” is a sensory explosion: chilly, wet, crowded, and oh, the smell of fish! And yet, they love it.
We couldn’t help but ask: What’s going on here?
What we discovered—and captured in books, films, workshops, and keynotes—is simple but profound: It’s in the people. It’s in the shared smiles, the moments of listening, and the sparks of collaboration that make a team thrive.
Re-engaging with the “people part,” as the fishmongers do daily, doesn’t mean reverting to the old ways. It’s about prioritizing the parts of work and life that bring energy, joy, and meaning. It’s about fostering an environment where every person feels seen, valued, and heard. And it’s about building something better than “normal.”
What Do We Leave Behind?
As we navigate this evolution, it’s just as important to identify what we’re happy to leave behind. The days of punching a clock, enduring meetings that could’ve been emails, and slogging through soul-draining commutes don’t need to return.
Instead, we can use this moment as an opportunity to create workplaces that value outcomes over hours and connection over conformity. Let’s leave the drudgery behind and embrace the freedom to create something new.
Building a Culture of Connection
So, how do we return to people in this new chapter? Here are a few ideas to spark your journey—many of which are woven into our keynotes and workshops on culture.
1. Make Space for Real Conversations
True connection requires more than just showing up—it demands presence. Imagine a morning coffee check-in where phones are tucked away, or a team lunch where everyone leans into the conversation. This is where the magic happens—not behind a screen or in the grind of routine.
Returning to the office isn’t about being in the same room; it’s about showing up as your full, authentic self. A shared workspace filled with disengaged individuals might as well be empty. But a single, honest conversation? That’s the spark that reignites connection.
2. Celebrate the Everyday Wins
Big milestones are like fireworks—they’re memorable, but fleeting. The real fuel for connection is found in the everyday moments: a kind word, a shared laugh, or a “thank you” for a job well done.
Celebration doesn’t have to mean grand gestures. Think of it as noticing the sunlight streaming through the cracks of a long day. A smile at 5 PM after a hard day’s work is often worth more than a pizza party. Joy lives in simplicity, not spectacle.
3. Lead with Joy
Picture a workplace where laughter bounces off the walls like music, where stories are swapped like treasured heirlooms, and where humor lightens even the heaviest days. Joy isn’t frivolous—it’s the undercurrent that carries us through challenges and connects us deeply.
When leaders bring joy to the table, it creates a ripple effect. It’s the difference between rowing upstream alone and gliding downstream with a team. Joy is both magnetic and transformative—it inspires others to lean in and engage.
4. Reimagine Collaboration
Collaboration isn’t a meeting on the calendar; it’s the heartbeat of progress. Imagine meetings that feel more like creative jam sessions—dynamic, inclusive, and energizing. Picture projects that spark excitement, not dread.
True collaboration is like jazz. It’s not about everyone playing the same note—it’s about listening, adapting, and building something greater together. Focusing on interaction, not obligation, makes work a place where ideas flow freely.
Moving Forward, Together
The Great Shutdown gave us a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reassess how we live and work. As we move forward, the question isn’t how to go back—it’s how to carry the best of the past forward.
Let’s bring back what matters: the connection, the community, and the energy of being together. Let’s leave behind the traffic, the drudgery, and the old ways that no longer serve us.
We have a program for that, of course, that has delighted and connected teams worldwide for 25 years.
At FISH!, we’ve always known that connection isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the lifeblood of thriving teams and joyful workplaces. It’s what turns ordinary work into extraordinary experiences. It’s what transforms a group of people into a true community.
The time to return to people is now. Let’s lead with open hearts, embrace new possibilities, and commit to building something greater together. This isn’t just about creating better workplaces; it’s about crafting lives filled with meaning, joy, and connection.
Because in the end, it’s not just about the work we do—it’s about the lives we live. And together, we can create a future where living and working go hand in hand, richer and more vibrant than ever before.
John Christensen
The time to return to people is now. After four years of adapting to new norms and reshaping the way we live and work, one thing has become undeniably clear: what we miss most—and what we need most—is each other.
The Great Shutdown turned our world inside out, pulling us away from familiar rhythms and forcing us into a world of remote everything—work, school, even weddings. In the midst of the upheaval, many of us clung to the hope of a return to “normal.” But as the dust has settled, it’s clear that things didn’t go back to the way they were. And maybe that’s for the best.
Instead of looking backward, we’ve streamlined, adapted, and carried on. We’ve questioned old routines, discarded the unnecessary, and found new ways to reclaim our time. Yet one challenge remains: how will we choose to re-engage with one another as we move forward?
How will we choose to re-engage with one another as we move forward?
What Do We Carry Forward?
The last four years taught us a lot about efficiency. We’ve embraced flexible work schedules, reduced traffic jams, and reclaimed hours previously spent in endless, often unproductive, meetings. The drudgery of work as we knew it has started to fade, replaced by a more intentional approach to how we spend our time.
But amidst this progress, something irreplaceable was lost: the people part. And we hunger for it.
Human connection—the heart and soul of every workplace, family, and community—cannot flourish when reduced to squares on a Zoom screen or a thumbs-up emoji in a chat box. Sure, we can survive that way for a while. But survival is not thriving. As we collectively rebuild, the hunger for genuine connection grows stronger. And like a newborn spring calf getting its legs underneath it, we stumble toward it, bumping our knees and tripping on our own toes along the way. We have no choice. We have to move forward.
The Heart of Connection is the People Part
At FISH!, we’ve always known where the magic happens. We saw it on the very first day, in the very first minute, when we visited the fishmongers at Pike Place Market. Their “office” is a sensory explosion: chilly, wet, crowded, and oh, the smell of fish! And yet, they love it.
We couldn’t help but ask: What’s going on here?
What we discovered—and captured in books, films, workshops, and keynotes—is simple but profound: It’s in the people. It’s in the shared smiles, the moments of listening, and the sparks of collaboration that make a team thrive.
Re-engaging with the “people part,” as the fishmongers do daily, doesn’t mean reverting to the old ways. It’s about prioritizing the parts of work and life that bring energy, joy, and meaning. It’s about fostering an environment where every person feels seen, valued, and heard. And it’s about building something better than “normal.”
What Do We Leave Behind?
As we navigate this evolution, it’s just as important to identify what we’re happy to leave behind. The days of punching a clock, enduring meetings that could’ve been emails, and slogging through soul-draining commutes don’t need to return.
Instead, we can use this moment as an opportunity to create workplaces that value outcomes over hours and connection over conformity. Let’s leave the drudgery behind and embrace the freedom to create something new.
Building a Culture of Connection
So, how do we return to people in this new chapter? Here are a few ideas to spark your journey—many of which are woven into our keynotes and workshops on culture.
1. Make Space for Real Conversations
True connection requires more than just showing up—it demands presence. Imagine a morning coffee check-in where phones are tucked away, or a team lunch where everyone leans into the conversation. This is where the magic happens—not behind a screen or in the grind of routine.
Returning to the office isn’t about being in the same room; it’s about showing up as your full, authentic self. A shared workspace filled with disengaged individuals might as well be empty. But a single, honest conversation? That’s the spark that reignites connection.
2. Celebrate the Everyday Wins
Big milestones are like fireworks—they’re memorable, but fleeting. The real fuel for connection is found in the everyday moments: a kind word, a shared laugh, or a “thank you” for a job well done.
Celebration doesn’t have to mean grand gestures. Think of it as noticing the sunlight streaming through the cracks of a long day. A smile at 5 PM after a hard day’s work is often worth more than a pizza party. Joy lives in simplicity, not spectacle.
3. Lead with Joy
Picture a workplace where laughter bounces off the walls like music, where stories are swapped like treasured heirlooms, and where humor lightens even the heaviest days. Joy isn’t frivolous—it’s the undercurrent that carries us through challenges and connects us deeply.
When leaders bring joy to the table, it creates a ripple effect. It’s the difference between rowing upstream alone and gliding downstream with a team. Joy is both magnetic and transformative—it inspires others to lean in and engage.
4. Reimagine Collaboration
Collaboration isn’t a meeting on the calendar; it’s the heartbeat of progress. Imagine meetings that feel more like creative jam sessions—dynamic, inclusive, and energizing. Picture projects that spark excitement, not dread.
True collaboration is like jazz. It’s not about everyone playing the same note—it’s about listening, adapting, and building something greater together. Focusing on interaction, not obligation, makes work a place where ideas flow freely.
Moving Forward, Together
The Great Shutdown gave us a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reassess how we live and work. As we move forward, the question isn’t how to go back—it’s how to carry the best of the past forward.
Let’s bring back what matters: the connection, the community, and the energy of being together. Let’s leave behind the traffic, the drudgery, and the old ways that no longer serve us.
We have a program for that, of course, that has delighted and connected teams worldwide for 25 years.
At FISH!, we’ve always known that connection isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the lifeblood of thriving teams and joyful workplaces. It’s what turns ordinary work into extraordinary experiences. It’s what transforms a group of people into a true community.
The time to return to people is now. Let’s lead with open hearts, embrace new possibilities, and commit to building something greater together. This isn’t just about creating better workplaces; it’s about crafting lives filled with meaning, joy, and connection.
Because in the end, it’s not just about the work we do—it’s about the lives we live. And together, we can create a future where living and working go hand in hand, richer and more vibrant than ever before.
John Christensen
Kind regards
Michael Meinhardt
Webshop: www.LEADERSwarehouse.COM
☎ +45 71 92 55 63
Comments
Post a Comment