"It's not humanly sustainable" to be constantly connected and receiving notifications 24/7

Here we are, back after a break that was more or less long depending on our work commitments and personal choices. Regardless of whether our vacations have ended or not, the period ahead of us is undoubtedly the one that, by definition, marks the start of the new academic year: a fresh start not only for students but also a metaphorical—and not-so-metaphorical—opportunity to generally leave the old behind and embrace the new, while inevitably taking stock of the past.

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How am I doing?

This is the most important question I’d like to share as we move toward recovery—and one that I believe is more important than ever to ask ourselves, especially during this historic period. While listening to others is a value of the utmost importance, it is also true that without personal well-being, it is objectively difficult (and unrealistic) to consider the well-being of those around us. Amid the pandemic and the various events of recent years, one of the positive aspects has been the growing focus on our health, starting with mental health, which is often the root cause of even the most tangible health problems.

Perhaps in organizations seeking a new balance in digital transformation, we’ve really gone overboard with notifications, video meetings, emails at all hours, and an overly ostentatious or contrived availability—leading us, at times, to have to search for traces of humanity in our professional lives. Recognizing its “dark sides” (“the dark side of digital”), we’ve started to flaunt the word “humanity”—we’ve put it in the titles of countless books and webinars, we’ve discussed it, and we’ve sought out kind and humane bosses and leaders. And in this context, sustainability has begun to resonate within us as a word increasingly rich in meaning—because, after all, “this isn’t humanly sustainable.”

We’re trying to define internal guidelines to be shared within organizations, and we’re conducting a lot of training to help us navigate the digital r-evolution: all of this is undoubtedly essential. But the question we must always ask ourselves at the “start” is: Is each of us proactively committed to building our own healthy habits so we can ride the waves of transformation without being overwhelmed by them? While the right to disconnect is one of the hottest topics, we cannot rely solely on good intentions to foster new, mindful behaviors in a reality filled with constant emails, phone calls, meetings, and so on. In this context, we can understand the value generated by “nudgetech” (“nudgetech refers to a form of choice architecture, supported by artificial intelligence, whose purpose is to stimulate behaviors—without compromising individual freedom—that positively impact individuals, the team, and the organization as a whole”) that helps bridge the behavioral gap between “where I am today” and “where I would ideally like to be tomorrow.”

Shortly before going on vacation, the editorial staff of “LinkedIn News” had launched one of its #summerconsversations, dedicating it to “useful tips for truly unplugging when you go on vacation.” As Carlo Caporale —CEO, Wyser Italia | LinkedIn Top Voice for Work— the work-life balance doesn’t mean viewing these two aspects as separate, watertight compartments; work is an integral part of our lives. We bring our true selves to work—our personalities, desires, and values. And outside of work, we always carry our experiences with us—experiences that are always human as well as professional. In his words:

‍“It makes no sense to think in terms of rigid compartments, as if balance were a percentage of time or a portion of space. Rather, I believe that balance lies in the continuity between personal and professional time and space, which comes from the ability to rediscover ourselves, our values, and the fulfillment we find in what we do.”

In short, let’s start off on the right foot this September: by finding a new balance between connection and disconnection—not just during vacations or in the professional sphere—and by truly acknowledging the constant interplay between the two. Once again, let’s ensure that our personal sense of responsibility and commitment guides our healthy relationships with others through technology because—let’s always remember— technology is the means that allows us to connect, but the relationship is with people. This different perspective may perhaps allow us to view our reality with a clearer lens.

I’ll start from here, with these reflections, to try to understand how each of us is thinking about truly unplugging and starting anew every day by prioritizing our own human well-being. Then, organizations must certainly consider how to facilitate meaningful change that ensures people’s all-around well-being—in terms of physical, mental, emotional, and financial health—by promoting a better work-life balance and social equity.

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