Ain't nothing like the real thing!
Living in this fast-paced digital world, we often find ourselves losing hours in the depths of the Bureau Community. I've found wisdom, support, and great friendships in these pixelated landscapes. But, there's magic in the real world, where face-to-face gatherings trump Zoom calls or chat threads. And we just experienced it at the last Owner Summit this week in New Orleans.
I just got home from Owner Summit New Orleans and my passion for getting together in person is rekindled. As humans, the opportunity to connect in real life is critical to our well-being and so much more. Here are a few thoughts on why it matters.
People Over Pixels
While I've had many powerful interactions in the Bureauverse, there's a different feeling when you're sharing the same physical space with someone. You get the complete experience - the body language, the inflection in their voice, and that real human smile. Not to mention the hugs, if you’re into that sort of thing. It's unfiltered, it's authentic, and it's irreplaceable.
Feeling Good in the Real World
And here's the kicker - all this in-person socializing? It's not just about the warm fuzzies. There's some solid science behind why it's important for us. It can boost our mood, improve our mental health, and even sharpen our brains. As hard as we try, and believe me, we give it our all, but you just can't get that feeling from a face on a screen.
Let’s Get Real
Relationships formed in the Bureau Community are deep, meaningful, and genuine. And when we meet someone in person? It's a fast track to trust. We're wired to pick up on all those non-verbal cues and signals, and they tell us a lot about a person. It's easier to build trust when you can look someone in the eye - and that's important, whether we're talking about friendships or business relationships.
Innovation: Better Together
And when we talk about creativity, those unplanned, "Hey, what if we..." moments spark some of the best ideas. During the time I was with my fellow members in New Orleans, so many ideas flew because we were bouncing ideas around in real life.
So, here's my rally cry: Let's not forget the power of real-world connections in this Bureauverse we're navigating. Let's strive for a balance between the convenience of the Slack Community and the depth of face-to-face interactions. Because as good as the Bureauverse is, it's even better when it spills over into the real one.
I get it. This might sound like I’m yelling at the clouds, especially when we're all just trying to keep our heads above water. But getting together in person is everything we need to recharge ourselves. So let’s keep making time for the real-life connections that make a world of difference.