The Culture Coach

E003: Hector Hughes, Unplugged: Normalising the Digital Detox and how simplicity is the key to happiness

The Culture Coach

Published: 15 February 2023 at 09:41 Europe/London

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Episode notes

ABOUT THE CULTURE COACH:

We discuss all things culture - from creating a great company culture to what contributes to a toxic one. What does a strong culture look like? How do some organisations get culture so right, and some so very wrong? How can you create lasting, positive cultural change within organisations? These are the sort of topics we cover on The Culture Coach podcast.

E003 - HECTOR HUGHES, UNPLUGGED: Normalising the Digital Detox and how simplicity is the key to happiness.

Hector is the co-founder of Unplugged, digital detox cabins across the UK on a mission to normalise digital detoxes and drive the change for a happier, more connected society.

He reveals how a two week meditation retreat in the Himalayas gave him the headspace to realise that he needed a drastic change from his previous work-hard, play-hard corporate life. After returning home, he quit his job the next day and decided he wanted to give people the same benefits he felt in a more accessible way, closer to home.

Along with co-founder Ben, Hector decided to create minimalist modern cabins just an hour or so from city life. Off-grid retreats where people could lock their phone in a box, rest and reconnect for a few days at a time.

He discusses the pros and cons of technology and believes that we are living in a state of constant overstimulation which is a major contributor to the skyrocketing levels of depression and anxiety we are seeing throughout society. Our devices are literally rewiring our brains, making us less intelligent and empathetic.

We are taught to believe that adding more - more money, possessions, achievements - is the key to happiness. But actually, it's about subtracting and simplifying; enjoying simple pleasures and real-life connection.

He believes that to have a good workplace culture you need to practice what you preach and create a culture where people feel safe to try and fail, particularly if you are a leader or manager. He explains how his daily meditation practice has helped him be present and in the best possible state for his team and company.

TOPICS COVERED:

About Unplugged and the mission behind it

Digital Detoxing as a trend

Retreating to meditate and learn about Buddhist philosophy in the Himalayas

Non-Attachment to external things and goals

Living in a constant state of overstimulation

Navigating and understanding our inner world

Culture isn’t about free sweets and go-karting trips - it’s about people’s moods and how they feel

Should we be optimising for happiness?

Normalising the digital detox: taking a break from the city and your phone

Moving towards a society that cultivates empathy and real relationships

Our relationship with our technological devices