| Each year Opus (An Organisation for Promoting Understanding of Society) listens and trends the social dynamics recurring across multiple countries in it’s International Listening Post Report; It certainly has made interesting reading and we've attempted to summarise some of its key themes here for you: |
| Theme 1: Digitalisation as a centrifugal forceIn the face of digital acceleration, society is demanding more from us - faster and digitally. There is not time to explore difference or nuance; questioning is interpreted as criticism and we don’t know how to manage relationships in this new world where social change is accelerated by technological advances. There is an overwhelming amount of information but those who shout louder are becoming the experts, regardless of being misinformed. We’re unsure of where to place our trust. We are spending more of our time with others behind screens, where we are relating to others behind masks of anonymity, emboldening us to feel powerful and act without responsibility. In person we jump from extremes of hiding our differing opinions or loading them up emotionally. Online, we are avoiding sorrow, joy and reflection and losing empathy from our interactions. Theme 2: Social IsolationThe shift in gender roles is creating bewilderment for men and for women. It is also suggested that diversity and inclusion are easier to embrace as abstract concepts rather than in real life flesh and blood. In parallel with the uncertainty of gender roles, a generational split is occurring between those who see the world as open to them and those who see it as closed. Each generation is feeling marginalised but in a different way. Millenials are finding power and possibility online but only limits and constraints in the real world. They believe in nothing, perhaps because they cannot distinguish truth from falsehood by living in instaperfect worlds. All this is happening whilst the older generation is losing faith in their sense of purpose, particularly in expressing their leadership as parents. Further disorientation comes from an acknowledgement that we are living in an age of disruption. People are trying to engage but pull back, overwhelmed. The demands of society can equally enhance social inclusion. Some report feeling overwhelmed by how much need there is, whereas others maintain their own sense of well-being against a backdrop of poverty and violence. There is also tension around the perceived threat of losing one's privilege. Perhaps because of all of this, there is a retreat to the bubble. We cocoon ourselves or distract ourselves to escape from the here and now, isolating ourselves further which ultimately has a negative impact on our well-being. Theme 3: Desire for repairThere is a world-wide sense that current systems are broken, and that societies are becoming increasingly polarised. There is a lack of trust in traditional mediators - e.g. teachers, social workers, the church. Awareness of the global climate crisis is increasing, however people are feeling frustrated as governments fail to take immediate action. Amongst this negativity, there is a desire for repair as people search for renewed purpose and values, and look to take personal responsibility. People are beginning to explore how systems can be radically changed to create a positive and sustainable difference. How can we "promotes values over protocols, empathy over algorithms, community over connectivity, intimacy over interactions and meaning over metadata"? |
| The Hobbs Consultancy View We hear a strong desire for real connection between people in the 'non-digital' world. The digital world has amplified communication in so many ways and yet it remains a communication tool, not a connection tool. It has also sped up intellectual progress in so many areas, but the real life experience of these new ideas and concepts need bedding in so we can fully understand their impact. We want real relationships. We want to see real people. And we want leaders with clear purpose and values that can help us navigate the uncertainty, the overwhelming challenges ahead and the complexity of the current world. We would strongly recommend reading the whole report which provides an excellent global snapshot. To find out how you can interact with more authenticity and purpose in this volatile world, please read on... Daring Greatly™ for female leadersis for you as an individual to work though what stops you from truly showing up in the workplace. Through the course we will examine the armour we often put on as female leaders (such as perfectionism and people pleasing) and learn tools to support us in 'showing up, living brave and being seen'. Our next open access workshop is on the 10th & 11th October, 2019 - more details here Dare to Lead™ is for senior leaders in your organisation. Brené Brown’s research has been adapted for the corporate environment and specifically for leadership. It turns out that the skills for courageous leadership aren't innate or gifted, but are actually skills that are observable, measurable and teachable. 2 day programme, £1,200+VAT / head (31st Oct & 1st Nov in central London) further info here Inclusive Leadershipis our flagship training programme which challenges leaders to learn how to work with uncertainty, ambiguity and different voices and to create trusting teams in which people feel safe to contribute with the wealth of all their unique experience. Please contact Derek@thehobbsconsultancy.com if you’d like to discuss running this in your organisation. |