Bridging the Divide: Creating Connection in Our Workplaces Today

Maybe the issue with hybrid work has nothing to do with the fact that people are physically working in different places; rather, it’s their emotional disconnection from each other and the organization’s purpose. One of the best parts of work is the sense of community and connection, but in fact, people may be lonely, and they may feel work just feels like a series of meetings, tasks, projects, spreadsheets, and targets.

What We Need From Work

Remember water cooler conversations? Or was that just a thing we said we did but didn’t actually do? We all get the concept, though. There were places where folks would naturally find themselves, where there were these spontaneous points of connection, and there was no “agenda” other than two humans that needed water to survive!

The problem isn’t hybrid work. It’s what we’re missing—the one thing we all need: connection. We don’t need water coolers, in-person meetings, or physical offices per se; we need to attend to each other, look each other in the eye (in person or digitally), and truly see the person. We need to understand the person. We need to know the person beyond the projects they’re working on, the title they have,?or the department they belong to.

If we cannot see that someone has kids who play baseball because we don’t see that photo on their desk, we miss the chance to say, “Hey, did you play too as a kid?” And that comment gets you thinking, hey, maybe what will bring us together is to start a baseball team and compete against finance or the other division or that sister company or on Friday nights because they have a non-competitive league for adults. Or maybe your kids play (or played) ball, so you realize you have something new in common. Or maybe you find yourself with the idea that the company could sponsor a team of underprivileged children to have sports equipment. Seeing a picture can spark connection and contribution.?

The problem is not the lack of framed photos on desks, water coolers, or of people occupying their offices with people there Monday to Friday. The problem is that we’re not intentionally finding ways of seeing, hearing, knowing and paying attention to each other as people.

One of the best parts of work is something we didn’t realize how precious it was until we lost it during COVID: an opportunity to connect on a human-to-human level every day with people working toward a common purpose.

The Cubicle Conundrum

I was recently speaking with a talented professional who said that she’s so grateful that she has the flexibility of working from home. She also enjoys the connection she has with her colleagues from going into the office. For her, flexible work were net gains: convenience, deep work, flexibility, connection, community, and collaboration.?

And then, the cubicles were introduced…

You see, someone thought there would be more focused work, less bad behaviour (of others, not her), and more productivity if walls were erected.

Wait, what?

So, let me get this straight: Folks aren’t together for half the week, and when they are, there are physical barriers to make them separated all over again. Why not have everyone just work from home? Or perhaps more importantly, why not deal with the root of the problem rather than make everyone suffer and become more disengaged, distrustful, and disconnected?

As a diehard ‘carbivore’ with a major sweet tooth, let me offer you this metaphor: If you know that there is dessert, but the fridge is locked, aren’t you more disappointed you can’t eat the cake than if you didn’t know it was there in the first place?

Disconnection at work is the locked fridge. And actually, it’s worse than that. We not only want to matter to someone else – personally and professionally – we need to.

Creating a Culture of Connection

Connection is cultural cake. Whatever, whenever and however you work, we need to remove barriers, not erect them, complain about them or dispute them. We need to tear them down.

Tear.

Them.

Down.?

Connection can happen, and it’s not a mystery as to how:

• Every time you ask a colleague for help, you offer it.
• Every time you notice something’s not right, you ask if someone is okay.
• Every time you notice someone has energy, you acknowledge it.
• Every time you compliment.
• Every time you say something kind.
• Every time you smile.

Connection is the easiest thing we know how to do as humans. It’s what we needed to do to survive. We learned to smile when we were three months old, and it’s what bonded us to our caregivers; similing literally an evolutionary survival mechanism. So, if it’s that hardwired into us, and it’s that essential for survival, would it not be essential for thrival too?

If you crave connection, you’re not alone.

Fight for it. Nurture it. Build it. And don’t make excuses for why it doesn’t exist. It starts with you.?

One compliment right now will bridge the emotional, physical, digital, or social divide.

Want to connect with us? I would love to hear from you, and so would our whole team—Tami (queen of events), Mallory (goddess of development), Monica (diva of details), Dorina (hero of finances), and me. We love our clients, we love our readers, and we love great, kind, movement-making humans like you. Stay connected to us, our friends, and tell us how we can stay connected to you.

Here’s a quick video on how you can create connection:

Take a bite of these scrumptious blog posts for more ideas on creating connection:

• 5 Ways to Rock Remote Recognition: Connecting Across the Digital Divide
• Remote Work: Why We Can’t Rule it Out to Retain the Best
• Holding People Accountable in a Remote World: A Recognition & Resiliency Perspective

Disclaimer/Humble Brag Moment: 100% of this content was human-generated (by us folks here at Greatness Magnified). We are committed to authorship integrity and will inform you what percent, if any, is AI-generated.