When humans meet other humans

The days following a big event can feel anti-climactic. But having just wrapped up Ragan’s Communications Week, I am lifted up rather than let down.

Something special was in the air last week at the Future of Communications Conference in Austin. That shared oxygen is fueling some much-needed optimism about the state of society and the future for communicators.

Our theme this year for CommsWeek was “All Together Now.” What seemed a bit Pollyanna-ish leading up to the event became prophetic once we gathered 800+ people in the Hyatt Regency to learn, network and get a break from the routine.

Of all the outcomes from CommsWeek — be it advancing communicators around crisis management, brand storytelling, AI, employee engagement (I could go on and on!) — the biggest outcome just might be our success at bringing people together.

So much of a communicator’s role exists behind the scenes, elevating a story, a person, an issue. During CommsWeek, attendees elevated one another. They took center stage.

There was a palpable recognition among fellow attendees: We see you, we hear you, we have each other’s backs. The more we lean on the wisdom of this crowd the taller we stand.

This is the magic of live events.  No language learning model can replace eye contact, a handshake, a hug, collective laughter.

I see a near future where AI will improve productivity so significantly that more time  becomes available for human interactions like these.

What’s working?

I talked to many execs last week who shared how much they missed seeing their co-workers and peers. Going into the office has become novel for some. We’re still working through the calculus of three days, two days, fully remote. It all adds up to less human connection than in decades past.

In an inarguably divisive time, we came together last week and broke bread with people whose ideologies were outshined by their identities as communicators and as storytellers.

To simplify: We need to make connecting a more intentional act, for ourselves and for those in our organizations.

I am fortunate to be part of a “moving office” that allows me to hang out with my Ragan team in person as we hold conferences and other events nearly every month of the year. There is nothing more satisfying for me than seeing my team work together and bond. They even include me in some of their jokes. But connection is no laughing matter: it’s mission critical.

Communications Week’s success will be complete if we managed to not only connect the dots on the tough issues but also helped comms leaders connect with one another. Let me know if we met our goal.

And if we haven’t met yet in person, let’s meet soon.

Don’t miss out next year — Future of Communications 2025 will be held Nov. 12-14 back in Austin, Texas. Register today!