Developing Human Connection in the Workplace

With a growing reliance on technology in the workplace, organizations are beginning to understand the true value of human connection in business. Now, more than ever, leaders are searching for ways to utilize the power of human connection to create a more dynamic, innovative, and successful company culture.

In today’s workplace, employees want to feel connected and valued, like they are an important part of something bigger than themselves. To improve this connection within your organization, you can:

Foster vulnerability through action

With any visible success, there are countless unseen mistakes that occur along the way. When you foster vulnerability within your team, you send a message that mistakes are not only okay, but expected on the path to reaching organizational goals. This mindset encourages employees to not get held back by errors, and promotes a culture that appreciates innovation and adaptability. To foster vulnerability in your workforce:

• Openly share challenges, mistakes, and personal growth stories with your team.
• Make mental wellness an organizational priority by providing access to 24/7 peer support and relevant resources. Visit Kindly Human for more information.
• Be vulnerable by admitting when you do not have the answers or solutions to a problem, and be open to feedback.

Develop harmonious team collaboration

A team that functions well together behaves like a smooth-running machine: it’s effective, it’s productive, and it generates a high ROI. When it comes to this type of positive team collaboration, it all starts with human connection. Everyone wants to feel important, like a valued and contributing member of a group. To developing a more harmonious environment for your organization:

• Build an honest and open dialog between individuals and departments to maintain transparency and connection.
• Organize project teams based on experience, and give all members a chance to have input.
• Create regular brainstorming sessions to problem-solve and find solutions as a group.

Inspire engagement

Motivation is often inspired. By demonstrating support and understanding, employees feel respected, validated, and often display a new level of commitment to the team. Show your workforce that you see their hard work, and are willing to get in the trenches with them. This type of leadership builds trust, which improves and strengthens connections between individuals and throughout the organization. To inspire engagement in your team, you can:

• Encourage “reverse mentoring” in meetings, allowing junior employees to offer suggestions and ideas to upper level staff.
• Keep an open-door policy to encourage employees to come to you with any concerns, ideas, or questions they may have.
• Recognize individual and team achievements, which will demonstrate that you are paying attention to the efforts of your workforce.

Creating a workplace environment where employees feel truly valued starts with putting a priority on human connection. When this connection is developed and nurtured, organizational success will follow.