Leading Tech Away from Loneliness: 'Back to Human'

By Jason Middleton
 
Technology, being the amoral beast that it is, can be a mixed bag of progress and digression. Digital technology, especially when applied to our work lives, can be alienating and even lead to loneliness. 
 
The more friends we have at work, the happier we are -- and the longer we stay with the company. That's proven data from Future Workplace, and HR advisory and research firm. 
 
This week's guest, author Dan Schawbel, dives deep into not only new research data, but also contextualizes it for the workplace. His new book is titled 'Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connections.'
 
Mr Schawbel and Future Workplace's recent data show that 7% of all employees globally have no friends at work and over half have five or fewer total friends. 62% who have five or fewer friends feel lonely either always or very often and 72% say they aren’t engaged. 60% would be more inclined to stay with their company longer if they had more friends. 
 
This was especially true for younger employees. Gen Z (74%) and Millennials (69%) would be more inclined to stay with their company longer if they had more friends than Gen X (59%) and Baby Boomers (40%).
 

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Have great weeks, everybody.

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