Breakthrough Research on How to Fix Relationships at Work

Nearly half of people find it hard to make friends at work, more than a third lack diverse connections

Majority of workers say their organizations aren’t helping them build relationships and find purpose, Imperative study finds

At a time when businesses are struggling to attract and retain employees, many are failing to invest in the most important step they can take, according to a new national survey. The 2022 Workforce Purpose Index from Imperative finds that organizations need to help workers build connections.

In my research, published by MIT Sloan Management Review, Nasdaq, and more, I have found that meaningful relationships are essential to attraction, retention, performance, innovation, and inclusion. The biggest reason people are leaving their jobs is a search for more personal fulfillment. Our previous studies have found that when people lack meaningful relationships at work, there is only a 1% chance they will feel fulfilled.

The good news is that through peer coaching, organizations have found that they can make a tremendous difference, helping their people build these kinds of connections – and the system works whether employees are in the office, remote, or hybrid.

Findings from the new survey include:

Nearly half (46%) of employees find it difficult to make friends at work.

The biggest reasons include not knowing whom to meet (74%), not feeling comfortable initiating a relationship (73%) and not having space for meaningful interactions (65%). People defined “space” however it worked for them, so this can include time in their schedule as well as a physical or virtual space conducive to helping relationships develop.

More than half say managers aren’t helping.

57% of workers said their managers are not helping them build their internal networks. Nearly as many (53%) said managers are not helping them add a sense of purpose to their work.

More than one-third lack diverse connections.

Despite calls for greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace, 35% of employees in the survey said they lack diverse connections at work. Virtually the same amount (34%) said they lack relationships with people who bring different perspectives. Research shows that diverse connections help drive innovation and a company’s performance.

Employees want to put more time into relationships.

Four-in-five employees are investing at least an hour each week on relationships. More than half (55%) are spending two hours or more. And the vast majority (87%) say they are willing to spend more time working on their relationships.

Why peer coaching is the answer

Organizations need science-based software that empowers employees to develop meaningful relationships and expand connections across their workforce. The technology must scale quickly, provide real-time insight at each step, and deliver proven results. 

Imperative is the enterprise platform that combines AI technology and behavioral science to manage, scale and measure peer coaching programs that build social connections and learning in the new world of work. Built on employe purpose profiling technology, it accelerates trust among employees and enables everyone to serve as coaches for each other.

Peer coaching with Imperative reduces voluntary turnover by 35%. Since its launch in 2020, large and quickly growing companies like Microsoft, Hasbro, Accolade, GSK, Boston Scientific, Airbnb, and Zillow have adopted the platform, using it to address their specific needs. (See case studies at imperative.com/customers.)

See the 2022 Workforce Purpose Index For Actionable Insights on How to Build Meaningful Relationships within your Company

Imperative's most recent Workforce Purpose Index identifies how companies can develop meaningful relationships at work and the systems needed to build a connected workplace, support managers, and drive innovation through the sharing of diverse perspectives.

For a decade, Imperative has studied purpose at work with New York University, PwC, LinkedIn, University of Michigan and Community and CEOs for Corporate Purpose. The 2022 Workforce Purpose Index is the fourth published by Imperative. The survey included a random sample of 517 adults employed full-time at companies with 1,000 or more employees, representing a wide range of industries, ages, occupation levels and educational backgrounds.

About Imperative

Imperative is the enterprise peer coaching platform that combines AI technology and behavioral science to manage, scale, and measure peer coaching programs that address the needs for social connection and learning in the new world of work. Imperative is powered by its employee purpose profiling technology that enables the platform to accelerate trust between employees and enable everyone to serve as a coach for each other - reducing turnover by 35%.