WITHOUT TRUTH YOU CAN’T HAVE TRUST.

Have you ever bought a new car and then started seeing it everywhere?

This is a classic example of the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. Your brain is subconsciously looking for the car, and as a result, you start noticing it more.

The ‘new car’ I can’t stop noticing now I’ve seen it is how ‘we can’t agree on what’s true’.

“Without facts, you can’t have truth. Without truth, you can’t have trust. Without trust, we have no shared reality”  – Maria Ressa (Nobel Prize winner, 2021)

When truth is disputed, and societal divisions grow, the world becomes a confusing place.

In the workplace, when colleagues can’t agree on what constitutes appropriate, business ready behaviour at work, the impact on organisations can be lower morale, reduced engagement, decreased productivity or stifled innovation.

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”  – George Bernard Shaw

So rather than pursue a pure, unbiased truth we need another antidote for why we can’t agree…

At Interaction, we believe organisations can support their people by increasing the number of synchronous interactions that they create for employees.

Importance of synchronous real-world interactions

What are they?

Face-to-face interactions that occur in real-time, allowing for immediate feedback and the full range of human communication, including body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice.

Why are they so important?

Jonathan Haidt, author of ‘The Anxious Generation’, argues that these interactions are crucial for developing social skills, emotional intelligence, and a sense of community. They help individuals build trust, empathy, and deeper connections with others.

As more learning is impacted by the growth in AI solutions, where does that leave synchronous real-world interactions?

“In-person training will likely become more experiential, social, and high-stakes … a space for high-impact collaboration…and deep human connection.” – Dr. Phillipa Hardman

What could be more high-stakes that the fact that ‘we can’t agree on what’s true anymore?

To protect and restore connections we’ve lost, organisations must prioritise synchronous, experience-led learning and create environments that promote trust and transparency. By fostering environments that emphasise these principles, we can support inter-generational professionals develop and ensure they feel equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

If you want to find out more and elevate learner experiences – take action and join a growing community of 250+ passionate L&D professionals at our employer led, award-winning, Talent Forum. It’s free, with weekly online events and topic-led specials.

Fancy delving deeper? Start by reading the excellent article written for the ISE by Harry Parsons!