Bridging the Connectivity Gap: why leaders must prioritise human connection in the workplace

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the importance of human connection in the workplace, yet so many do.

Our relentless focus on performance often leads to neglecting the fundamental element of connection, communication, and trust. What get's overlooked, if it's even understood at all, is that alignment and execution, the topics that attract huge amounts of attention, resources, and budgets, can only exist in the presence of these essential human elements.

Yet, businesses continue to invest little time and resources in building a culture of connection, which is the biggest cause of lack of engagement and the sorrowful state of productivity that exists in the UK.

The connectivity gap is a real problem and has been a persistent issue in the workplace for years, costing businesses more than they realize. Impacting engagement and hampering productivity.

With the pandemic, this issue has been magnified as people spend less physical time together, and the absence of baseline knowledge [relevant even when present in person] and ability to adapt hybrid/remote working practices to incorporate the required "over-emphasizing" of connection is further exacerbating the problem.

To solve the problem we first have to understand what exactly is the connectivity gap? It refers to the difference between the level of connection that employees feel in the workplace and the level of connection that they need to feel engaged and productive.

Research shows that when employees don't feel connected to their colleagues, managers, or company culture, their motivation and performance suffer. And this is not just a personal issue; disengaged employees cost the UK economy billions of pounds each year in lost productivity.

There are many factors at play that you might recognise as contributing to the connectivity gap, such as hierarchical structures, technological distractions,and the pressures of remote work, but this is where collective thinking needs to shift.

In reality the gap is a human one. Ultimately, it comes down to a lack of intentional effort to build relationships and foster trust. Businesses too often focus solely on alignment & execution without putting in the work to create a culture of connection & relational trust.

To make matters worse, the younger generation of employees are increasingly concerned with working for companies that have healthy culture and align with their personal values. Without a focus on connection and relationship building, businesses risk losing their ability to attract and retain top talent. It's not enough to have a clear mission or attractive perks; employees want to feel connected to their colleagues and the organization as a whole.

They want the human stuff. To be valued, recognised, appreciated, supported to be the best they can be. And if it's not enough that the younger folk want this.........following a period of re-evaluation, the older folk do too. Ignore it at your peril.

However, the good news is that the connectivity gap can be bridged. By prioritizing connection, leaders can create a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and engaged. This means building a baseline of knowledge across an organisation and changing approach by intentionally creating opportunities for communication, building strong relationships, and promoting a culture of trust. The result? Improved employee engagement, increased productivity, reduced absense, increased retention and a more positive work environment overall.

So, as a business leader, it requires some rethinking. The world has changed materially. Don't let the connectivity gap continue to hold your team back. Equip your people with the skills needed to connect, to understand each other, to work together better, to connect, to build relationships & to foster a trusting , high performance culture. Chances are even those at the top are experiencing the gap.

Prioritise developing baseline skills, building connection and create the time to reset. By investing in building relationships and trust, you can create a workplace where employees feel connected, motivated, and inspired. Your employees – and your bottom line – will thank you for it. In a world where values-driven and purposeful work is becoming increasingly important, connection and relationship building are essential to attracting and retaining top talent...... I wonder, can you afford not to.