Remote work. We were sold the ideas of more personal autonomy, work-life balance, and working at maximum output. Instead, what most of us received was social distancing, Zoom fatigue and a persistent sense that we’re screaming into the abyss. The water cooler chats? Gone. The ad hoc creative brainstorming sessions? Swapped out for formal, agenda-filled meetings. The sense of team? Fading fast.

Remote Work's Dirty Little Secret

It's not the tech, it's the disconnect. We've focused so much on the tools of remote work that we've forgotten the human element. The serendipitous encounters, the shared laughter, the unspoken understanding that arises from just being in a space together. This is the positive social glue that holds effective teams together, and it’s quickly dissolving before our eyes.

I now hear colleagues saying, “I’m really starting to feel like I’m just a cog in a machine.” That’s a problem.

The reality on the ground is that we've optimized for individual productivity over collective living. That’s a choice that will prove hazardous in hindsight.

Watching Minecraft, Building Real Teams?

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Researchers at Oklahoma State University's Spears School of Business (MSIS) have been studying vicarious experiences in video games like Minecraft and Fortnite. Their surprising finding? Whether playing or not, participants report feeling a sense of civic engagement and social cohesion.

Think about that for a second. Forget the idea that you have to be actively building blocks in Minecraft to feel like you're part of something. This study, recently published in Decision Support Systems, demonstrates that observing can promote embodied social presence (ESP). That’s how you can have that sense of co-creation, even in an online space. It sounds crazy, I know.

We already do this in real life. We sit on our couches watching sports and root against our rivals. Even now, stretched out on sofas across the country, we’re still engulfed by a tsunami of collective identity. The researchers employed a sports analogy to drive home their point. They described this idea that the audience can have a very participatory experience, even when they are not the ones playing. So why can’t we use that same psychology in the workplace?

From Pixels to Profits - Really?

Could Minecraft, or something like it in our unfolding multiverse of tech, be the cure to this remote work solitude?

I know what you're thinking: "Seriously? You want me to watch my colleagues play video games instead of working?"

Lest we forget, we can’t gamify our way out of work either. Rather, let us turn to the vicarious experience psychological principles to proactively connect more deeply and cultivate greater collaboration. And yet, it’s not just about making virtual replacements to real-world interactions.

  • Virtual Project Demos: Instead of dry, PowerPoint-driven presentations, teams could showcase their work within a shared virtual environment. Others can watch and feel like they are part of the process, even if they are not directly involved.
  • Team-Building in the Metaverse: Forget awkward Zoom icebreakers. Imagine teams collaborating on a virtual building project in Minecraft, or tackling a problem-solving challenge in a shared virtual world.
  • Shared Gaming Experiences: Encourage employees to share their gaming experiences with each other. A simple conversation about a cool boss fight or a clever strategy can spark connection and build rapport.

Now, this isn’t an argument for eliminating face-to-face engagement in favor of 3-D environments. It's about finding new ways to connect and build community in a world where remote work is increasingly the norm.

The Future is... Watching?

Perhaps the future of hybrid work doesn’t lie in the next wave of productivity tools, but in more innovative ways to support human connection. Perhaps the solution isn’t forcing everyone to always be wide awake and on their toes. Instead, let’s concentrate on the tangible spaces where everyone can participate vicariously and be part of something larger than themselves. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps, Minecraft contains some of the magic ingredients to unlock that future.

Aside from specific interactions, Khani is interested in broader inquiries around ESP’s effect on the overall outcome of collaboration in digital spaces. I think that's a great idea.

So, what's next? Let's start experimenting. Let’s question our notion of what it really means to be engaged at work. So let’s throw out the script, tap into vicarious experiences, and start creating stronger, more adventurous, more connected teams. The future of work depends on it.

So, what's next? Let's start experimenting. Let's challenge our assumptions about what it means to be engaged at work. Let's embrace the unexpected and explore the potential of vicarious experiences to build stronger, more connected teams. The future of work depends on it.