From the Desk of Steven Muro: Navigating the Virtual Workspace
What “The Matrix” Can Tell Us About Managing Our New Online Reality
Keanu Reeves, Neo in the movie “The Matrix,” thought that reality was definitive. He learned that in fact reality might be a virtual construct, a simulation called the Matrix – a giant computer program that gave the illusion of reality. Luckily for Neo, he learned how to navigate and use the Matrix to his benefit and eventual salvation.
Here we are in 2021, with a year of the pandemic in the rear-view mirror and more still ahead of us. Our companies have gone from the reality of working in a friendly, secure, and communal office environment to a virtual work-from-home situation. It feels real, but not really. Like Neo, we are in many cases, “out there alone.” We are working from our kitchen table, living room or best case, a home office. We are peaking out through the internet, telephone, and Zoom to connect to our teams and clients. But is it enough? It wasn’t for Neo. He needed to act to delve deep into the Matrix and uncover the real reality, and we may need to do that too.
Take the Red Pill
“You take the blue pill — the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill — you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” — Morpheus
In the Matrix, the blue pill would allow Neo to sleep through his life and not see the reality of the Matrix. The red pill, however, would open his eyes and allow him to forever see the Matrix as it truly existed. We need to be awake as we transverse our virtual (but very real) work-from-home experience. Let us prevent our current situation from lulling us to sleep and think that our team is simply fine working remotely. Some, including our own selves, may feel insecure, uncertain, frustrated, or depressed by the current situation. Take the dive and be on the alert for changes.
Do Not Work Alone
“What are you doing?”- Neo “I'm going with you!” — Trinity
After taking the red pill, Neo soon recognized that he needed others to help him find his way through the Matrix. For a company and its employees to navigate a virtual work environment you need everyone on the same mission with the same vision and goals. Like Neo, you will want to use your skills to guide the process and ensure that everyone is working in unison. However, unlike Neo, you probably will not have an Oracle to help guide you. So, learn to rely on your leadership skills and the skills of your team to get you through this time. Be the leader, be The One.
Communication Is Paramount
“Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.” — Morpheus
Just as it was in the movie, your team and your collective actions are the key to success. To achieve this, communicate regularly with your team. Do it daily. Ask your teammates how they are feeling, and how they are doing. Ask the all-important questions: Do you like working from home? What do think about working from home after the pandemic? What do you think about returning to the office? Keep asking and keep listening. Listening to each other can often be a calming salve for your employees and teammates. Do your best to help them overcome their fears and uncertainties.
Hint: Do not forget to include the small talk. It can create huge dividends by uncovering greater insight while providing a sense of normalcy.
As a side note: Here at FUSION, we have weekly Zoom meetings where team members share topline information about the projects they are working on, as well as some typical old-fashion water cooler chat. To break things up each person also brings at least one joke to tell the team. It is a great time for everyone. Depending on the size of your company you may be able to do something similar, even if it is done in groups.
Focus on the Goal
"I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it." — Morpheus
Getting to your reality (and the reality of your company) is key. Stay focused, with your goal always top of mind. This will determine if you win your reality or stay forever stuck in the Matrix.
At the end of this pandemic many of us may find that we like working from home in a virtual work environment. Others may find a hybrid situation (working from home with regularly scheduled in-person meetings and conferences at the office) more functional. Perhaps others may have a dream of returning to the office (a dream virtually unheard of prior to the pandemic). Find your new reality (or the old one). There is not right or wrong, but there are choices to be made. The choices will impact you, your team, your company, and your future. All you have to do it is find the answer that fits.