Space to be.
Do we have the ability to be present? The last few years have weakened our ability to focus on the present moment and the people around us, both at work and leisure. Hybrid work and the constant presence of technology have created new challenges for both coping at work and our relationships with other people. There is less and less space left for genuine presence.
Sponda wants to find solutions to these challenges. For us, presence means a combination of physical and emotional factors that deserve space to exist. That is why we not only create premises that support true presence, but also want to promote the well-being it produces in society as a whole.
Presence
Reduces stress
Presence exercises have been shown to reduce work-related stress. Cortisol levels decrease and the ability to control stress improves.
Boosts productivity
Active presence helps us focus on the task at hand and makes work more efficient. When an employee is present and focused, distractions do not disrupt the workflow.
Increases job satisfaction
Practicing presence is linked to increased job satisfaction. The sense of presence helps an employee engage with the task and makes work more meaningful and inspiring.
Improves teamwork
Collaboration requires everyone to be on the same page. By focusing on the people around us, especially those in the same space, we can develop our ability to recognise and interpret both our own feelings and those of others. Communication becomes more effective; the team is more productive, and the team spirit improves.
Prevents burnout
Practicing presence can help reduce the risk of burnout. When we are able to block out unnecessary disturbances and recognise our own limits, it is easier for us to manage the workload and to recover from it during the working day.
Improves decision-making
Certainty and confidence in our own thought processes can be improved by practicing presence. This results in more considered decisions, and being aware of our own feelings and prejudices also makes management more objective.
Flip for presence
In our day-to-day lives, smart devices act as windows and doors to the surrounding world. But at the same time, they can also block the world out. We can lose our focus on the moment and our ability to be genuinely present deteriorates. That’s why Sponda decided to develop a movement, or a challenge, which helps us be more present with a simple manoeuvre: flip for presence or put your phone away and be present.
The science, practice and the future of presence – working together for a better future
Neuroscientist and organisational psychologist Ville Ojanen has spent the last 20 years studying the functioning of the human mind and the role of presence in our day-to-day lives.
In the spring of 2024, Sponda and Ville Ojanen developed a seminar on the subject. Sponda’s customer companies can learn more about the phenomenon of presence, its significance and the ideal way to implement it in their own work community.