Efficiency. Productivity. Metrics. These three words are often associated with technology in the workplace, and for good reason. According to Deloitte's 2023 Global Human Capital Trends survey, over 90% of business leaders recognize the imperative role of technology in enhancing work results and team dynamics. However, for all their advantages, we need to look at technological tools in the workplace from a different perspective. That is, how will technology help us bring out the humanity in our daily work?

This question is not rhetorical. We cannot afford to lose our humanity. Yes, we need technology, but only as an aid. Without living and breathing people, no organization can fully utilize any software, program or innovation.

These days, when technological advances seem to happen every hour, many employers are forgetting the importance of putting people first — and consequently forgetting that when you take care of your employees, they will take care of everything else.

Employers need to start bringing humanity into their technology today. After all, in an era of remote and hybrid work, employee isolation and disengagement can happen quickly. Technology can either increase feelings of loneliness and separation or bring workers together. It is up to us as leaders to pay more attention to it people than machines.

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Building a technology-positive culture, people first

After all, the world is changing. However, technology is not the only thing that evolves; people are too. People deserve to be seen as a sustainable investment as much as a piece of hardware or software.

Where you can start to move the needle and find the intersection between your company's technology and your team human connection? Look for places where you can rely on technology to improve people's needs and experiences. This might look like the following:

1. Learn what makes each team member tick

Each team member has unique work style preferences. These are often most evident when employees and managers work side by side. However, they are not always so clear inside virtual workgroups. This is why all leaders must work diligently to develop genuine, mutually respectful relationships with their direct reports.

Get the communication. Understanding each team member's unique communication preferences—from the format they prefer, such as emails, texts, or voice memos, to how often they want to be updated—is essential in today's hybrid work environment. Companies like Humantelligence are leading the way by using technology to do just that adapt communication strategies with AI-powered tools for more personalized communication within teams.

The point of this solution is that leaders have never been able to tailor their messages to different employee personalities like they can now. By being intentional, leaders can enjoy stronger connections with their people and use technology solutions to help everyone become efficient and effective.

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2. Make room for good old-fashioned “water cooler chats.”

Personal chat often gets sidetracked between remote teams. Instead of pushing this to the point of inevitability, create space at the beginning of Teams or Zoom meetings to discuss what's going on in everyone's lives. Setting aside five minutes of “family talk” to make way for 55 minutes of “business talk” is a good trade-off. Or take a page from GitLab. They actively encourage new hires to schedule virtual coffee chats with colleagues during onboarding promote informal communication.

During one-on-one meetings, the conversation can be just as personalized. Leaders need to remember that every one-on-one is about the employee, not them. Therefore, the dedicated agenda should focus on the employee, not the supervisor. Focusing on the employee's needs encourages a two-way dialogue. It also puts some of the responsibility on employees to lead the talking points.

Remember: Informal interactions can play critical roles in team and the employee-leader relationship. These “water cooler conversations” don't always feel intuitive in a digital workspace, so they need to be intentionally allowed for. For example, we use a lot of text chains around our company, especially around our events. Sometimes things get silly and jokes are made between some people. It leads to a great week and no one worries about the consequences of not focusing solely on production.

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3. Hold team sessions to talk about technology possibilities

Another technique to break down barriers in the workplace for team members living in sync with technology is to talk about digital transformation. Talking about it allows everyone to be heard and builds confidence. This is especially important considering that 54% of people say they have “no idea” how their company is using AI and that lack of transparency is a real problem. It highlights the need for clear communication about how technologies such as AI are being used and their impact on individual roles.

Technology, especially newer disruption like AI, it can seem intimidating and scary. People may start to worry about being replaced if they don't work 24/7. Your job is to show them that it's okay to be human. Take a walk. Leave the desk to run a personal errand. Meet a friend. Focus on results versus time.

Machines don't need to make environmental breaks, but machines also won't keep your company competitive. With the right platforms, portals, devices and channels, your human employees can perform their roles much more effectively, without succumbing to the technology that serves them.

Imagine your workplace as a puzzle. Your people make up the border pieces. Without them, you would never have a complete picture, even if the interior space was filled with all the technology in the world.