I’ve spoken to many people recently who work at successful, growing companies, yet feel disconnected from the people they work with.
They’re doing their jobs, receiving enough positive feedback to feel competent and secure, making decent money, and have work-life balance.
But work is slowly draining them of their life force.
In the 100’s of conversations I’ve had with people who feel this way, I keep coming back to one core issue:
They feel disconnected - from the people they work with, from the company as a whole, and from their own inner wisdom.
Again, a lot of these companies are growing, and that’s exciting. But as they grow, one office becomes three. IRL meetings move to Zoom. Team happy hours become less intimate, and eventually fizzle out. Companies spend big on team retreats and reward employees with trips to high-end hotels - but people dread coming back to work.
As companies grow, it becomes harder to maintain the community feel. But when people don’t feel connected (to themselves, their colleagues, and the company as a whole), they’re less likely to stick around. And when people quit, the cost (in time and money) to rehire, retrain, and get a new person up to speed is enormous.
We all have a primal need for connection. And yes, people can get those needs met outside of work. But if we spend 40+ hours per week at work, that’s nearly half of our waking hours.
Imagine what it would be like to feel more connected and energized during those hours?
Imagine if your company was a place where connection, learning, and growth were part of the culture, and people felt excited and motivated to contribute?
When people feel more connected (again - to themselves, their colleagues, and the company as a whole), they’re more proactive, creative, and do what they say they’re going to do. The work experience becomes more energizing and fulfilling. Everybody wins.
Here are some ways leaders can cultivate a more connected work environment (whether you’re in-person, remote, or hybrid):
1. Create an environment where everyone - regardless of background, identity, and level of experience - feels seen, understood, and celebrated.
2. Create shared experiences with the intention to connect and have fun. Whether it’s a company happy hour, holiday party, team retreat, or the weekly all-hands meeting, the key is being more intentional about how you design and facilitate the experience.
3. Practice shifting from being the sage on the stage, to the guide on the side. This means being the best 𝘧𝘰𝘳 the team, as opposed to the best
𝘰𝘯 the team. Asking better questions, as opposed to needing to have all the answers. Embracing the mindset that everyone has something to learn, and everyone has something to teach.
And if you want expert support in any of the above, send me a message.
At Third Nature, we’ve helped hundreds of leaders and dozens of organizations create more connected work environments over the years. I’d love to chat.
Lasers Technician at Coherent Corp
2moTotally agree with your points