The Key To Connection At Work
On the surface, it seems logical that bringing people together physically should increase the sense of connection at work. But peering beneath the surface we find that connection is much more nuanced. Physical connection plays a role. But so does emotional connection, and this includes emotional connection to others, and also to self.
I know looking back on my life there were times where I sat in a crowded room and felt very much alone. The number of people with me didn’t matter. What was missing was my feeling of belonging with them, and my feeling of connection and purpose within.
Feeling connected with others is one of the best ways to increase oxytocin and dopamine (feel-good hormones), improve immunity, lower stress, and decrease depression and anxiety. But, sometimes, feeling connected can be as challenging as grasping at shadows.
We can be in a crowd of people and still feel alone. Holiday periods, especially Christmas and the New Year, can be some of the loneliest days of the year for some, with studies suggesting that deaths by suicide are highest during the holiday season.
Many Australians are grappling with this in their relationships, families, and communities, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of blaming others or external circumstances for that sense of isolation.
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I’d be happier if things were different,” or “My needs aren’t being met,” it might be helpful to explore what else might be going on, and trying some new methods to feel connected with yourself and others.
The state of play
Australia's State of the Nation Report on Social Connection reveals that nearly one in three Australians experience loneliness, with 17% facing severe loneliness. These feelings are linked to reduced workplace productivity, poor physical and mental health, and higher risks of chronic diseases. Younger adults (18–24) and middle-aged Australians (45–54) report the highest levels of loneliness. This highlights the need for targeted interventions based on demographics. Rural and less urbanised regions also face higher loneliness rates, which shows that there are geographical disparities in loneliness.
It’s also important to consider other groups, like people from diverse and intersectional backgrounds as they may be at greater risk of feeling disconnected from others.
Connection and wellbeing
Feeling connected plays a vital role in our wellbeing, both physical and mental. Research shows that loneliness has a higher impact on long-term health than smoking and obesity, with loneliness posing a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, dementia, suicide, depression, and anxiety. A sense of connection increases positive emotions, which has a positive effect on the choices a person makes for their diet and lifestyle. Social connection can help reduce the risk factors of early death such as high blood pressure, better sleep, decreased cortisol, and a strengthened immune system.
For a workplace, this can translate into employees that are happier and more engaged at work who are less likely to take sick leave or retire early due to illness.
How can we encourage connection at work?
In a hybrid workplace that focuses on wellbeing, social connection and collaboration are essential. However, it is important not to fall into the trap of assuming that connection will be made by mandating a return to the office. A lack of connection is not simply solved by bringing people into the same physical space. It is equally important to solve the sense of emotional disconnection.
Emotional connection at work
The question then is, how do we help people to feel emotionally connected? Typically practices that encourage introspection, empathy and compassion can help bridge the gap of emotional disconnection. Encouraging individual and team activities that create opportunity for empathy and compassion, and personal reflection are helpful here, for example:
1. A weekly mindfulness practice with a focus on compassion
2. Team meeting shares - each week a team member voluntarily shares something about their life with their team such as a national celebration, a family event, a milestone, etc.
3. Unconscious Bias awareness training to help teams become aware of their own internal biases
4. Laughter - creating opportunities to connect through laughter helps to release stress and build bonds
5. Curiosity - encourage teams to sit back and listen before answering, and ask questions before making conclusions, such as ‘How do you feel about this idea?’ or ‘Why do you think that?’
6. Role-playing - have teams role-play other teams or their clients or even their manager
Connection is found by searching for and finding our common humanity, and connecting with our deeper sense of purpose. Martin seligman’s PERMA Model is a good way of approaching this. PERMA stands for Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. This model can help a person tap into positive emotions, increase their sense of purpose, and use strategies to strengthen their relationships.
Tapping into values
Another way to encourage connection at work is to emphasise company values, and also personal values.
We all have a set of values which guide our decision-making and sense of self in the world. Helping employees to understand their own values, share them with others, and find common purpose in organisational values can help them to see the connections between each other and with the organisation.
Encouraging Connection
We don't have to agree on everything to feel connected. But we can find our common values. The main ingredient is to feel and be ourselves ourselves, and be accepted for who we are.
Next Steps
As the report from Ending Loneliness Together suggests, loneliness is not a solitary problem but a societal challenge requiring awareness, open conversation, and collective action. Organisations can lead by prioritising cultural alignment, connection, and collaboration in their hybrid strategies.
For further insights, explore resources on fostering connection and wellbeing in the hybrid workplace, such as Australia's State of the Nation Report on Social Connection 2023
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References
‘Data and Statistics’ 2024, Lifeline, accessed 5.12.24, <https://www.lifeline.org.au/resources/data-and-statistics/>
Lim, M., Smith, B., Owen, K., Engel, L., Qualter, P., Surkalim, D., 2023, ‘State of the Nation Report on Social Connection’, accessed 5.12.24 <https://lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/state-of-nation-social-connection-2023.pdf>.
‘PERMA Theory of Wellbeing and PERMA Workshops’, University of Pennsylvania, accessed 5.12.24 <https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/learn-more/perma-theory-well-being-and-perma-workshops>