Isolation to inclusion: Overcoming loneliness at work

The shift from college to work life brought with a sense of isolation for Harshith Sai Tunuguntla. Some factors like competition between colleagues and misaligned responsibilities led to him feeling lonely at work in his early jobs.

Around 1.25 billion people worldwide felt lonely or “very lonely” in 2023, reported India Today , citing the Global State of Connections survey.

And loneliness also contributes towards work-related stress . According to Happy+ Consulting’s founder Ashish Ambasta , more young professionals between the age of 25 and 35 years have been dealing with it.

“The pressure to constantly perform and meet high expectations can lead to feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome, making it difficult to reach out for support or form genuine connections,” Sai Tunuguntla says.

Efficiency often takes precedence over building meaningful relationships in the workplace, the Product Solution Engineer at JUSPAY adds.?

So, how can professionals identify and address this feeling in a professional setting? In this article, we delve deeper into this subject and ask experts to share insights.??

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A friend, in need

“Loneliness in the workplace is often a result of limited genuine connections,” says Anand Pillai , Director at LogarithmHR.?

According to leadership coach Deepa Mahesh , professionals can experience this inner feeling of unrest due to a lack of connection with others or with themselves. Individual personality traits, communication and social skills also play a role.?

The factors contributing to this feeling can also be environment-driven. A work environment that values competition over collaboration can make professionals feel like “mere cogs in a machine rather than valued team members,” Pillai adds.???

Structural and interpersonal factors like language barriers can make it challenging for employees to connect with their colleagues. “Remote work, while offering flexibility, often limits spontaneous conversations that can build camaraderie,” he adds.?

Three in five professionals in India felt lonely at some point while working remotely during the early months of the pandemic, LinkedIn data suggests.

Alone, no more

Having been declared a pressing health threat globally by the World Health Organisation, not addressing this feeling can impact a professional’s mental health and overall wellbeing.?

Attributing the lack of connection to their contributions can affect professionals’ self-confidence, performance, and the focus on their responsibilities, Mahesh says.?

Leaders combating loneliness may also experience burnout, anxiety, and decreased motivation resulting in poor decision-making, diminished innovation, and a potential exit from the company, Pillai adds.??

So, why do professionals find it difficult to address this condition? Pillai attributes this to the fear of being perceived as weak and the stigma around mental health. While some mistake the symptoms with work dissatisfaction and stress, he adds.?

“Sometimes professionals deal with loneliness by overworking, overindulgence, and over socialising which further creates loneliness and alienates them from their authentic selves,” says Mahesh.

A friend, indeed!

Sai Tunuguntla learned different ways to interact with coworkers to overcome this feeling.?

“Initially I started approaching people in a way that respected their time while still getting the information I needed,” he says.

A bit of research, homework, and asking thoughtful questions helped him make the most of the interactions and build genuine connections. His active participation in office events and activities facilitated these efforts.

Reflecting on her previous work experience, Mahesh shares that the company held inter-team sports events over three months to encourage interaction. This led to friendships and social connections.?

Workshops, training sessions, collaborative projects, team outings, peer recognition programmes, and employee assistance programmes can help foster a sense of belonging, spread awareness around the signs of loneliness, and normalise discussions around mental health, suggests Pillai.??

The experts suggest the following ways to combat loneliness:

?? Take proactive steps to get involved in the workplace communities.?

?? Join groups pertaining to specific interests and attend social events.

?? Volunteer for cross-departmental projects.?

???? Seek a mentor within the organisation.

?? Set clear boundaries between work and personal life.?

?? Conduct regular self-check-ins to assess one's emotional state.?

?? Utilise company-provided relevant resources.

?? Spend time in nature and practice mindfulness to help you relax.

?? Click here to read the previous edition on the benefits of exploring opportunities within one's current company. ?

?? Working remotely can get lonely, digital content creator Sejal Kumar says, sharing her experience in this post .?

?? Acknowledge the importance of social life to deal with isolation at work, recruiter Anna Stirme shares. Read here for tips to deal with it.

• Coping with job rejections. The job-search journey can be lonely and difficult. Follow these tips to tackle rejections.??
• Mitigating remote work loneliness. Be proactive and take team-building activities to build connections while working virtually with colleagues, an executive coach says. Read here for details.
• Pet to the rescue. A pet companion can help cure loneliness, particularly when working remotely, entrepreneur Marjorie Radlo-Zandi says. Read more here .

What does it take to become an effective team player at work? From communication clearly to extending support — thought leader Chris Croft shares teamwork foundations in this brief course .

This is the 33rd edition of the biweekly newsletter from Get Hired by LinkedIn News India. Each issue aims to provide insights on everything jobs-related, combined with expert views and member voices.?

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By Dipal Desai — LinkedIn Editor covering jobs and career development in India

Associate Community Manager: Neha Upalekar