Call me old school, but I like a nice handwritten thank you note. Preferably with a fancy pen that makes me feel like Ben Franklin holding a quill. Given this quirk, after running a few laughter skills workshops for business school students at TUCK, I dashed off a few notes to the people who brought me in. In an update about the impact of the classes, Larissa Pyer, Director of Tuck’s Compass Program, thanked me for my note,”... so thoughtful and personal!! You know I love the H2H connection.”
Did this fancy academic just use my favorite acronym? H2H is the darling of all business shorthand for me. When people use it, particularly in its “human to human” meaning, it always strikes me as the waterboy (person) on the business acronym team. Eager to be included, but no one really wants to pay much attention to it until they’re parched and desperate.
My love affair with H2H started last year when I first discovered it. I was disappointed to learn it can also be used to connote competition, as in Head to Head. I have conveniently ignored this. Since Ms. Pyer was very involved in making sure that vulnerability, active listening and building on each other’s ideas were an integral part of this training, I’m certain she’s in my camp on the human to human interpretation.
This is all very top of mind as people plan their end of year celebrations. Business schools aren’t the only places making H2H a priority. Even the calls we’re getting about virtual festivities want to be sure that people have the chance to connect with each other - despite being on screens. Fortunately, what we discovered during COVID five years ago holds. You can experience genuine human connection even in rooms with digital backgrounds. So yes, you can party like it’s 1999 whether you’re in person or not.
We’ve found the key is throwing in a bit of structure to the festivities - an organizing principle, if you will, in this case someone funny - to make sure people aren’t only talking to the same three people they always do. Or no one at all. As yet, there is no “H2P” thank goodness. Yes I meant “human to phone” there. And a quick search didn’t reveal any “H2AI” yet either. Phew. For now, many of us are realizing that the more artificial intelligence creeps its way into our lives, the more important it is for us to pour our attention and resources into activities that deliver H2H engagement. STAT!
