News & Views
Lonely
I am all in on the distinction between alone and lonely. They are quite different. Aloneness can be a blessing at times. Loneliness – perhaps not so.
I stumbled across an article recently on ‘work loneliness’ and its impact on healthcare costs, absenteeism, and turnover.
The article quoted a study that suggests that one in five employees worldwide feel lonely at work.
“The authors debunk myths about work loneliness, such as the belief that in-person work or team assignments can solve the issue. They emphasise that loneliness is not just a personal problem but also an organisational one, influenced by the work environment.”
At JUNO we often work at the forefront of social disconnection and can attest to its far-reaching (negative) impact.
As is the case with many broad based organisational and social challenges there’s no easy fix or one size fits all solution to ‘loneliness’.
My aim this month here is to do my little part in the world just to continue the conversation.
The article I read offered a few practical solutions that might help to reduce work loneliness.
Based on my own experiences of organisational life a couple really stood out for me: designing slack in workflows, creating a culture of connection, and building social activities into the rhythm of work.
“By helping employees make social connections, companies build a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce.”
In the current ‘working from home’ environment I imagine addressing the loneliness challenge will require even greater foresight and dedicated attention by everyone with an interest in prosperous and effective organisations.
Onwards
‘Management Tip Of The Day’ – with thanks to HBR
The Dos and Don’ts of Nicknames at Work
Is there anything more ‘Australian’ than a nickname and its ubiquitous use? Here’s a little self-test: how many people have you addressed by their nickname in the past 24 hours?
Armed with that result – read on.
Using friendly nicknames can be a great way to solidify personal relationships, but they can be tricky in the workplace thanks to the hierarchical nature of professional relationships.
Should you embrace nicknames? Or should they stay out of the office entirely?
Here’s what research suggests for leaders.
Let your team call you by a nickname (if you like it). Allowing employees to use a nickname for you can make you seem approachable and part of the team. But don’t force it—the best nicknames emerge naturally.
Avoid nicknames for employees. Assigning nicknames to employees can feel too informal or even patronising. Given the power dynamics, they may hesitate to voice discomfort, impacting morale. Stick to first names unless an employee explicitly offers a nickname.
Assess your organisation’s culture. In less-hierarchical workplaces, nicknames can foster closeness. However, in more traditional, structured settings, nicknames may be less appropriate.
When in doubt, communicate. Unsure about whether to use someone’s nickname? Ask them privately. Open communication fosters comfort and mutual respect, keeping nickname use positive and professional.
This month’s content was inspired and influenced by this article: ‘The Rules of Using Playful
Nicknames at Work,’ by Zhe Zhang and Shuili Du. October 2024.
Tiny Thoughts, with thanks to Farnham Street
Our friends at Farnham Street are a great source of inspiration for us here at JUNO – with many
more Tiny Thoughts than we could ever pinch and publish here. We usually include a few each
month though. This month however – just the one TT, and it’s a powerful one:
‘The truth is whispered while opinions are shouted’.
From TED This Month
A short thought-starter from the land of TED Talks and is a (short) change of pace.
Why you think you look bad in photos – Teri Hofford in June of this year delivered this compelling 13 minute TED Talk.
‘Switching from judgement to curiosity’. ‘How you look versus how you think’. Hyper-fixating on your insecurities.’ ‘Unrealistic expectations’. It’s all in there.
If you stay the distance on the clip – you’ll get to unconditional love.
This Talk may change how you think, and feel, about photos of you, and the way you look at things.
JUNO Graduations, Mock Interview Workshops & Client Celebrations for the month
Thank you for reading JUNO Institute’s News and Views
We’ve been helping clients and partners, and transforming lives in the process, for over two decades. We are always ready to help you tackle your next challenge.
Please contact us at JUNO at any time on anything and everything connected to your Leadership Development and Coaching agenda.
Contact JUNO here: Phone: +61 3 9866 7993; Mobile: +61 4 0854 3320 or send me an email directly at placey@junoin.com.au
Until December, Paul
