The familiar video call scenarios of family members walking through the video frame, children asking for attention and dogs barking have helped leaders appear more human to colleagues due to the pandemic-related working conditions, a panel at the Dive In festival for diversity & inclusion in insurance agreed on Wednesday.

Getting to the heart of corporate cultural D&I issues, such as the need to increase empathy between employers and employees and to help amplify softer voices when working remotely, are not only critical now but will also be as necessary in the post-crisis future.

As discussed during a panel session looking at how leaders should advance D&I during a pandemic, the crisis has opened up new ways for leaders and colleagues to communicate and to better understand each other. The panel included speakers from PwC, Willis Towers Watson, TreGan Consulting and Alchemy Crew.

“It’s really humbling… a story of resilience,” said Pamela Thomson-Hall, managing director, international, Willis Towers Watson. 

Alex Bertolotti, partner at PwC, said that “a big difference” in communications had resulted from “inviting people into your home, your study or kitchen” through video meetings. “I think it creates a different dynamic.”

The growth of empathy and sharing was significant, said Trevor Gandy, owner and president of TreGan Consulting. “We have often felt separations between personal life and professional endeavours.” Despite working remotely, in many cases, the conditions had brought down a number of barriers, he said.

Some organisations have held company town hall meetings to discuss conditions leading to the eruption of the Black Lives Matter movement and employees’ own experiences in facing racism. Panellists Gandy and Thomson-Hall agreed that such town hall events created “a safe place” to express “emotional, raw, painful” stories. “It is empowering colleagues to have the discussion,” Thomson-Hall said.

The Dive In conference continues today. For more information, visit www.diveinfestival.com

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