Building Meaningful Connections

This month at the Institute of Positive Leadership (IPL), we've been focused on building meaningful connections.?

Earlier this month, we attended the California Conference for Women in Silicon Valley. The excitement and energy of being in a room filled with women professionals was amazing, and it was so good to be back in a room full of people again! We had the opportunity to meet with other women in the leadership development space as well as coach women at all levels of leadership from a variety of industries. We are so grateful for the new connections made and we’re feeling more excited than ever about the work we are doing!

For International Women’s Day, we partnered with CFGI and their Network of Women to facilitate an interactive workshop on Building Meaningful Connections. We believe that creating meaningful connections is essential for promoting and advancing equity for women, and yet it’s often difficult to do - particularly when working virtually with many people who have never met or interacted with each other in person.?

We know from research that women tend to give more. Yet, they’re also less likely than men to ask for help or advocate for themselves in the workplace and this can hold women back from advancing in their careers.?

The reality is creating meaningful connections is crucial. We need connection for survival - for social support, such as having networks and relationships that can offer us physical and psychological help, and for belonging, such as feeling like we're an accepted member of a group.?

Meaningful connections are essential for our physical and psychological health and they provide many benefits. For example, in close rapport with others, our cortisol levels drop and we receive more oxytocin (the love hormone) which boosts our feelings of connectedness and overall happiness.?

Climbing the Hill?

We loved learning about this research from the University of Virginia who in 2008, conducted a study where 34 students were asked to estimate the steepness of a hill while crossing campus. Some of the participants happened to be walking alone, while others walked with a friend. It turns out that when we estimate how steep a hill is, we perceive the hill to be significantly less steep if we are standing with a friend than if we view it alone. The findings illustrate that with the presence of another, the task ahead appears less daunting in our mind's eye. When we connect with others, things feel more manageable.?

Give & Take

During the workshop we incorporated the research Adam Grant presented in his book “Give and Take” with a dynamic group exercise known as the Reciprocity Ring. The outcome was a lively discussion that applied the ‘pay-it-forward’ principle while strengthening participants' muscles around asking for help. We were thrilled to receive positive feedback from attendees who appreciated the practical and fun nature of the exercise. Everyone walked away energized and committed to giving help and receiving help.?

Why not try this out at your next event or group meeting? You can find instructions for the Ring of Reciprocity here.?

What We’re Reading?

"Chatter" by Ethan Kross

We're currently reading "Chatter" by Ethan Kross and highly recommend it to anyone interested in the psychology of self-talk and inner dialogue. Kross provides practical tools and strategies for managing negative self-talk and harnessing the power of your inner voice to support your well-being and success. Pick this book up if you want to change the dialogue you have with yourself.?

Coming up

We’re getting ready to host a team event using the Enneagram as a way to foster connection and facilitate a greater understanding of each team member’s leadership style and operating model. By exploring how each of us thinks, feels and acts can provide valuable insights into how our individual behavior shapes and influences overall team dynamics. The result is greater awareness as to why we behave or react in the way that we do, which can lead to increased emotional intelligence, empathy and collaboration. By tapping into these insights, teams gain a deeper understanding of themselves, and each other, strengthening team cohesion and effectiveness.??

Visit our Leadership Library

We’re excited to launch our Leadership Library where we have curated resource recommendations and original articles on topics ranging from well-being at work to inclusive leadership. Be sure to visit often, and please share your recommendations with us. We are always adding to this list!?

Until next time,?

Lead well!?

Alina & Emma