--- title: "Join the “Human Revolution” at Work" id: "44629" type: "post" slug: "join-the-human-revolution-at-work" published_at: "2018-10-29T18:34:38+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T23:04:32+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/10/29/join-the-human-revolution-at-work/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/10/29/join-the-human-revolution-at-work.md" excerpt: "In the digital age, association teams will increase their success and well-being when they focus on human interaction and engagement at work, says workplace strategist Erica Keswin, opening ASAE’s Associations @ Work Business Conference on Monday." taxonomy_category: - "Organizational Strategy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "Data Organization" - "human interaction" - "Workplace" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Join the “Human Revolution” at Work Can you guess the number of times you’ve looked at your phone today? If you’re not sure or answered “a lot,” you’re not alone. According to [a Deloitte study (opens in a new tab)](https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/global-mobile-consumer-survey-us-edition.html?id=us:2el:3pr:gmcs2017:eng:tmt:111417) , Americans check their smartphones 12 billion times per day, and last year, the average U.S. consumer spent about five hours each day [looking at a mobile device (opens in a new tab)](https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/03/u-s-consumers-now-spend-5-hours-per-day-on-mobile-devices/) . While technology certainly makes it easier to communicate, find information, and conduct business online, the tools we use are also creating detachment among people and the world around us. When people are, quite literally, “left to their own devices, human interactions and relationships suffer,” said workplace strategist Erica Keswin, kicking off ASAE’s [Associations @ Work Business Conference (opens in a new tab)](https://aaw.asaecenter.org/) in Washington, DC, on Monday morning. She encouraged attendees to be intentional about fostering human-focused interaction in their workplaces. “Being real has to truly be your way of being,” Keswin said. “The days of the Dilbert-esque cartoons are over. You have to empower and excite your employees, especially if you want to attract millennials and Gen Z.” In her new book, *[Bring Your Human to Work (opens in a new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/Bring-Your-Human-Work-Workplace/dp/1260118096)*, Keswin explores organizations that have transformed business and workplace culture by making space for human-focused interactions. She calls it the “human revolution in response to the digital revolution.” One example is Lyft, the San Francisco-based ride-sharing company, which encourages passengers to sit in the front seat and get to know their drivers. Another is Microsoft, which dramatically transformed its business-as-usual approach by clearly defining its [core values (opens in a new tab)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about/values) , rethinking [office space (opens in a new tab)](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/business/the-office-gets-remade-again.html) arrangements, and building intention into meetings. For instance, Microsoft’s board meetings start with a story told by an appointed “[researcher of the amazing (opens in a new tab)](https://qz.com/work/1401535/how-to-run-a-meeting-that-reflects-your-values/) .” Every executive board member must fill the rotating position at least once, telling a new story about a Microsoft team that’s building technology tied to the company’s core values. Getting to know your colleagues can also benefit your health, Keswin said, because human-to-human interactions help to increase oxytocin, a relationship-bonding hormone, and decrease cortisol, known as “the stress hormone.” “I would urge you to get to know each other and honor relationships,” she said, “because bringing your human to work is not only good for people, it’s great for business. And it just might change the world.” Workplace strategist Erica Keswin speaks at ASAE’s Associations @ Work Business Conference. (Tim Ebner) [Tim Ebner](https://associationsnow.com/author/tim-ebner/) Tim Ebner is communications director and press secretary at the American Forest & Paper Association in Washington, DC. He is a member of ASAE’s Communication Professionals Advisory Council and a former Associations Now senior editor. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/tim-ebner/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Data Organization](https://associationsnow.com/tag/data-organization/) [#human interaction](https://associationsnow.com/tag/human-interaction/) [#Workplace](https://associationsnow.com/tag/workplace/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoChallenge Legacy Mindsets at MMC+TechApril 17, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/04/17/challenge-legacy-mindsets-at-mmctech/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [VideoThe Career Moves Every Association Leader Needs Right NowSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/the-career-moves-every-association-leader-needs-right-now/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2018%2F10%2F29%2Fjoin-the-human-revolution-at-work%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !