Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Perhaps this is the complaint of an old man, but all the Zoomer Teams meetings just aren’t getting it done.

The title of this post is an old expression from an old time. We used to talk with people on the telephone. That worked to a point, but we couldn’t “picture” the person. We needed to see them.

Okay, technology fixed that. We have computers and communications. We have $5 video cameras and $5 microphones and speakers. We “see” one another. We can put a face to a name.

Well, that works a bit. It is “better than nothing.” Let’s be candid, it doesn’t work.

These distance everything everythings we are doing don’t work. We don’t have the time to notice the little things and build pictures in our minds that bring us closer to reality. Time and physical proximity allow us to ask questions and discuss matters that seemingly don’t matter.

• What is that pen you always carry?
• Why do you put a pencil behind your ear?
• You roll your foot around while typing, does it hurt?
• You bring your lunch in paper wrappers instead of Tupperware, is there a reason?

Stupid little notices and questions and conversations. These help us put a face to a name. These help us understand why someone turns red when I use a phrase from my childhood. These help us work through the misunderstandings that are common in working daily with others. These add to a pleasant and productive workplace. These help us sleep at night.

Once I know someone pretty well, I can have Zoomer Teams meetings and “get by.” New people? No, I can’t put a face to a name. Perhaps I am too old for this. Perhaps I have something in all this meandering.