Symbols of Disconnection

Grapes of Wrath 

Every big shift in society brings a trade off - we might gain something powerful and exciting but there's usually a catch.

There’s a careful balance that needs to be found in life.  In Taoism, the principle of Yin and Yang means opposite forces are interdependent and balance sustains harmony.  

In Buddhism, The Middle Way suggests we avoid extremes to find peace, and Stoicism, we should live in accordance with nature and balance reason with emotion.

These notions can help us individually but also shape society as a whole - especially through change.

In Grapes Of Wrath - John Steinbeck writes about the hardships that farmers and their families went through in 1930s America due to technological developments in agriculture.

Machines in The Grapes of Wrath

Steinbeck used a tractor as a symbol of this shift and imbalance in Oklahoma which ruined community ties and affected countless families.

Modern Symbol of Disconnection

It appears we are currently experiencing a trade off due to an imbalance in our lives.

A tsunami of digital innovation has impacted our lives and despite all the incredible benefits and future possibilities - research shows that we feel more isolated than ever and struggle to develop meaningful relationships.

In the UK and abroad - it’s reported that the modern workday is fueling an epidemic of isolation. 

If the tractor was Steinbeck’s symbol of disconnection, today it’s the red notification badge - a machine built to grab attention.

Carefully designed and grounded in behavioural science - it’s colour was chosen because red signals urgency, alertness and even danger.

Platform feeds are designed to keep us scrolling and deliver constant stimulation whilst short video clips fragment our attention and can increase our negativity bias.

You notice whilst using ChatGPT, Slack, Netflix, Monday and LinkedIn, design features which are supposed to keep you glued to it.

The benefits are undeniable, but it's like we're simultaneously battling against them for the sake of our mental health.

Powerful forces have created problems that the technology companies aren't motivated to solve.

We must re-balance and find The Middle Way ourselves.

Belonging

Leaders should prioritise social connection and purposefully foster a sense of belonging at work. Not only because the business results are spectacular but it's crucial for our mental health and wellbeing.

A sense of belonging is the fundamental human need and emotional experience of being accepted and included within a group or community which fosters a feeling of security and connection.

According to Harvard Business Review - “high belonging was linked to a whopping 56% increase in job performance, a 50% drop in turnover risk, and a 75% reduction in sick days. For a 10,000-person company, this would result in annual savings of more than $52M.”

I believe right now, a sense of togetherness and unity would give companies the greatest competitive edge - not AI.

Human Evolution

So how do human beings actually bond and create belonging?

We evolved to bond in groups with other humans through:

• Laughter

• Singing

• Dancing

• Feasting (eating & drinking socially)

• Emotional Storytelling

When we engage in these group activities - our brains release endorphins which make us feel a sense of connection to those around us.

We need to incorporate these behaviours in weekly / fortnightly rituals. 

A ritual means spending time together on a regular and predictable basis. 

Here are some weekly ritual examples from around the world which foster belonging:

1. Sunday church service - singing

2. Football chants in a stadium - singing

3. West African drumming circle - singing & dancing

4. Roman bath day - sharing stories and laughing

5. Caribbean domino nights - feasting, sharing stories and laughing

We don’t just like rituals - we need them and they’re an ancient solution to a modern problem.

The Jester’s Circle

Laughter is the fastest way to release endorphins and we are 30x more likely to laugh when we’re in a group - it's a social activity.

Jester's Circle

At MyBeast Consultancy, we're bringing back the timeless archetype of the Jester - a role that reminds us of the need for laughter and light heartedness.

We help organisations incorporate a weekly / fortnightly ritual called The Jester’s Circle where colleagues are invited to share stories, intentional humour from the week and brainstorm future ideas.

Intentional humour is different to spontaneously making a joke and having a laugh by chance. 

Intentional humour is about incorporating comedy into a presentation, meeting, email, pitch, webinar, campaign etc and it's way more powerful than spontaneous laughter.

It’s inclusive, builds belonging, promotes collaboration and has a profoundly positive affect on creativity & innovation.

It also drives outcomes - people are 30% more likely to retain information when it’s delivered with humour and leaders who use comedy are more admired and trusted.

Our culture programme, The Jester’s Method - helps teams to incorporate good natured, inclusive humour and makes work more fun and productive. 

Simple changes can have a dramatic effect:

“There’s been a ripple effect throughout the organisation - humour has opened people up more and we laugh together more now” - Zoe Burton - PRT Trust

Technology will keep racing ahead - but it’s understanding human history and re-discovering our sense of belonging which will help us find our balance.

Thanks for reading.

To learn more email me on jason@mybeast.life or connect with me on LinkedIn.