
Sponda wants to talk about the importance of being present in working life: “What happens if we lose our most important asset once and for all?”
Real estate investment company Sponda wants to shake up working life by highlighting the importance of humanity’s most important value and source of power, presence. What can we achieve if we are truly present in what we do?
The situation in working life is paradoxical. While working conditions and tools in knowledge work are better than ever before, job satisfaction and work ability are constantly decreasing. In Finland, one in four is at risk of burnout, while a fifth of employees suffer from mental health disorders. On a global scale, malaise at work is estimated to cause losses of approximately $1 trillion per year.
The theme of presence promoted by Sponda is backed by psychologist Ville Ojanen, an advocate of human-centred working life and an expert in brain research. According to Ojanen, who has followed working life closely for more than 20 years, one of the biggest problems behind the problems in working life is the lack of a genuine sense of presence. With its emphasis on thinking and cognition, performance-oriented working life is too brain-centred in its approach to interaction.
In our working life, we are too stuck inside our heads
“The brain and rational thinking are in the driver’s seat in working life, and people have lost their most natural way of communicating with other people. When interaction narrows down to a mere transfer of information, the most important and useful resource of humanity is left untapped,” explains Ojanen.
Sponda has started to spread the theme of presence from inside out. During the spring of 2024, the company launched coaching events led by Ojanen, where the importance of presence is discussed and concrete tools for its development are offered. In the autumn of 2024, Sponda will start offering lectures and coaching on presence also to its customer companies.
What matters is connection
The sense of presence is a similar basic foundation for human survival, development and functioning as algorithmic computing is for artificial intelligence. The emergence of a connection between people requires a genuine sense of presence, where through thinking, emotions, sensory perceptions and bodily sensations we are connected in three different directions – to ourselves, to others and to our environment.

“When all connections work well, meaningful experiences are created, such as trust, appreciation and security. These, in turn, build well-being and create the best growth platform for the development of individuals and the success of the company.”
How could companies then improve the sense of presence and reflective interaction? Should remote workers switch back to working onsite?
Ojanen feels it is more important to consider whether we are truly present during our encounters with others.
“A true connection can be achieved via any technology, once the foundation for presence and trust has been laid. Problems arise when there is no connection and only thoughts and knowledge are exchanged.”
A person’s best performance comes from experiencing connection.
According to Ojanen, efficiency in remote meetings, for example, is often sought by cutting down on human-centred information. Chatting just to catch up is avoided and cameras are not switched on.
“There is an illusion created by the brain about what is effective, when the reality is actually just the opposite.”

The psychologist considers the greatest risk of remote working to be the insidious way it makes work more dreary. According to him, the risks of remote working can be reduced by investing in the sense of presence during office days.
“The impact is so hard to notice because the eroding effect on the sense of belonging and the reduction in engagement and the meaningfulness of work only become visible over a longer period of time. When creating shared moments of reflection and interaction and spaces that support them, a sense of community emerges that supports remote work. The desire to work together becomes stronger,” Ojanen says.
Flipping – a simple but effective tool
Ojanen sees two major positive aspects in the development of working life. AI will reduce formal, routine work, allowing more time for informal and reflective interaction. Another source of joy is that younger generations are learning emotional skills and mindfulness already at school.
Presence is a superpower that can be practiced, learned and managed.
“It is the older generations that need to be reminded of the need for presence. A good example of this is the Flip for presence ethos, innovated by Sponda. When you flip – turn your phone face down – you can show yourself and others that you are 100% present in the moment.”

Ojanen expects the sense of presence to become the most important success factor for companies in the future.
“The need for connection is not a matter of opinion, but the most important fundamental value and resource of humanity, based on biology. Those companies that are smart enough to invest in presence and connection create well-being, attract the best experts and generate the most sustainable growth,” Ojanen sums up.
In its communications, Sponda also shares concrete instructions for practising presence and reflective interaction, building an present organisation and designing premises that create a sense of community. Sign up for the newsletter to receive all the content directly to your inbox. You can also find the publications on sponda.fi or on social media using the hashtags #lasnaolo and #FlipForPresence.
”I have acted as a psychologist and advocate for human-centred working life for more than 20 years. The need for connection and presence is not a matter of opinion, but the most fundamental value and resource of humanity, based on biology. It’s great that a large company such as Sponda is highlighting the importance of being present and wellbeing, challenging companies to be aware of the values that should serve as a foundation for a sustainable and productive working life.”
– Psychologist Ville Ojanen –