The human race is a resilient one. Comprising equal parts scepticism and optimism — dependent on the day or situation — we always manage to see ourselves through trying times despite the obstacles that lie ahead.

It's what has carried us through a modern pandemic and, despite all manner of losses, we have generally emerged more resilient than before, with lessons learned and a reframed sense of normality set to thrive once more.

One of those learnings is that human interaction is essential to our survival because it causes a spark that can't be replicated during a Teams call held over an intermittent internet connection.

Great ideas are often sparked by casual interactions or as a result of people gathering around a challenge or opportunity in person. This human energy, which can't be digitised, is the catalyst.

Historian and author Theodore Zeldin understood this in the last century, saying that "all invention and progress comes from finding a link between two ideas that have never met". It's in that meeting of ideas that we make progress as humanity.

Empathy is at the heart of creative work

Interestingly, one of the unexpected offshoots of working and engaging remotely is that we've become more 'human' because of the ways we've been exposed to different people's experiences.

Seeing people facing the challenges of working from home or struggling with isolation or loss has made us understand each other as human beings in far more profound ways — not just as employees or clients.

If we can maintain that level of empathy as we come together again, it can only be better for all our relationships; and it will reflect in our work.

There was a flurry of creativity (as there always is in a moment of crisis or where there's a tension) when the pandemic struck. Then, as the days blurred into one and we wandered through the fog of uncertainty, a certain monotony crept in because we were denied new experiences and the creative spirit suffered.

In the creative industry, there was initially a lot of extremely relevant work that held up a mirror to society. But as we all experienced this 'Groundhog Day', all the work started to look the same because it reflected an experience that was so universally shared.

Whether it was for a car brand, bank or retailer, if you removed the branding, it would be difficult to determine which brand or sector it was for. That's why we need to shift to work that is resonant, rather than relevant, by returning to that human insight around empathy. And to do that, we need to come together again.

M&C Saatchi Abel was one of the first agencies to get its teams back on our campuses full-time. It actually opened campuses as early as April 2020 under Level 4 of lockdown, because it understood that many members of the team needed the campus environment.

Whether home wasn't a workspace conducive to concentration and creativity, or they struggled with poor Internet connectivity and load shedding, the campuses became a refuge for many of its team members. It was important to re-introduce that human connection.

Building a relationship with and between employees is a core business strategy and the right thing to do. Those organisations that have invested the time, care and commitement needed to building a strong relationship with their teams will continue to succeed and reap the benefits of an engaged and supportive workforce.

If you, as an organisation, are experiencing resistance or hesitation, look back at the fundamental values and trust within your culture and organisation because you may have a bit of work to do.

The last two years have definitely shown the benefit of flexibility and need for agility. With teams now having experienced both remote and on-campus working, teams need to be given the choice to work from wherever they feel they can do their best work.

This is while also allowing for the other demands on their time. But it's all about a mutually beneficial relationship underpinned by shared values, respect and accountability. Establishing employee buy-in, instilling trust in the roles they each play and clearly and consistently communicating the underpinning policies are all key.

Embracing this sense of freedom and flexibility is born from the understanding that we're in the ideas business — and ideas don't come from machines, but from people. People with empathy.

For more information, visit www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za. You can also follow M&C Saatchi Abel on Facebook or on Twitter.