Strategy
A bond
Good leadership combines head and heart. We often avoid exposing our fears and weaknesses. People connecting over a shared experience and similar feelings creates a unique bond. Ensure a company allows its workforce to express themselves and be appreciated for their unique personality, background, and experience.
The concept of emotional design is to create designs that evoke positive experiences and emotions. Positive emotions instil positive memories and ensure users interact with your product in the future.
Soft skills, such as empathy, kindness and resilience, will be crucial for business reinvention, this supports a culture in which people feel valued and respected. Improving soft skills is a journey that can lead to a more holistic decision making process, both in the short and long-term. Soft skills can help build better communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
Top banner image, watercolour by Carly Gordon
Tools for wellness in the workplace will become more vital for creating change within a company. Everyone has their own pace to deal with loss and trauma; healing after the pandemic will take time. Take the time to connect and share experiences.
01 Head and heart
02 Positive emotions
03 Soft skills
04 Healing takes time
Emotions
Support
Backpack company JanSport created #LightenTheLoad as more than 7 out of 10 young people say mental health issues weigh them down. They started a campaign to connect young people with tools and resources to support their mental health when returning to school was anything but ordinary.
They partnered with a team of five high school podcasters on a series about the mental health challenges facing many teenagers. Listening to personal stories lets people know that they are not alone. Live conversations with therapists help to unpack some of the biggest mental health questions and break down barriers. See more here
Personal growth
Foodpanda helps their delivery riders upgrade their skills through a partnership with the e-learning platform Gnowbe and Singapore’s Temasek Polytechnic. Through the portal, riders can gain skills in areas they are most interested in and equip themselves with the necessary skillsets for the future.
Food delivery workers have been essential during the pandemic. Foodpanda says it is crucial to create a community where riders are given the opportunity and tools to grow professionally. See more here
Emotion tracking
Youper is a self-help application guided by Artificial Intelligence designed to support users with their emotional health. Youper hopes its AI processes will result in a more personalised and helpful solution to symptoms rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach.
Users seem to find success with the service. According to a Youper survey with a sample size of over one million people, 80% of respondents felt a reduction in “negative moods”. Being open to an AI may be easier than expressing your daily worries to an actual person. See more here
Mood
The Chloe hotel in New Orleans is a lively 14-room hotel, restaurant, bar, pool and patio. Housed in a 19th century Uptown mansion, the old-world glamour, creative culture and charm is warm and inviting.
Personality and atmosphere create a connection and make people feel relaxed and at home. Physical experiences in a hotel, restaurant, or retail, will be even more appreciated and valued as the world opens up. A sense of welcome, with excellent personal service and an eye for detail, is a luxury. See more here
Retail
The majority of consumers will want to get back to ‘normal’ and return to stores to experience products. Spaciousness and cleanliness will remain important. People will avoid stores that are too crowded.
Art gives personality to spaces. Retail and art will continue to blend and blur the lines between retail, galleries, coffee bars and restaurants.
Spaces that feel warm and comforting with soft colour schemes and sensory material choices can calm and make you feel special.
Materials and shapes that reference nature help to set a calming and soothing atmosphere.
