Searching for Connection in a New World

In an era of profound transformation in the work environment, the quest for connection has become increasingly challenging, even as social skills gain unprecedented importance.

Last week’s newsletter described Meg’s experience of initial shock and eventual reconciliation with the constant turmoil and transient relationships at a huge technology firm. Her experiences were echoed in a recent Wall Street Journal article titled “The Loneliness of the American Worker .” The piece noted that “More Americans are profoundly lonely, and the way they work—more digitally linked but less personally connected—is deepening that sense of isolation.” The article underscored a stark shift from a decade ago, when workplace bonds compensated for dwindling participation in social institutions like churches and community groups.

To delve deeper into these trends, I spoke with Sankar Venkatraman (He/Him) , LinkedIn’s Global Evangelist. LinkedIn, the leading career-oriented social network with over a billion users worldwide, offers a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of work. Sankar outlined key trends contributing to the decline in workplace connections, while simultaneously highlighting the growing significance of social skills for career success.

The New Transience of Employment Relationships

Sankar discussed the loosening of ties between employers and employees. In the 20th century, a stable, long-term relationship was the norm, with many expecting to stay with a company for life. Even during layoffs, there was often an expectation of rehiring once economic conditions improved. Today, however, these relationships are more transient. Both parties often view the employment arrangement as a temporary convenience, with little expectation of long-term commitment. Despite this, employees are still expected to be fully dedicated to great performance, and employers are expected to treat them well. Maintaining good relations remains crucial, as employees’ future job prospects hinge on their reputations, and employers benefit from former employees as boosters, customers or collaborators.

The Dissolution of the Traditional Workplace

Another significant change is the disappearance of a fixed workplace for many employees, especially white-collar workers. The concept of “going to the office” and leaving work behind at the end of the day is becoming obsolete. Many now work fully remotely or follow hybrid schedules, splitting their time between home and office. Additionally, work hours are increasingly fluid, with emails, messages, and calls occurring around the clock due to globally dispersed teams. This interweaving of work and personal life offers flexibility but also diminishes the clear sense of place that once existed.

The Decline of Workplace Opportunities for Friendship and Love

Sankar noted that an unintentional but significant impact of employment becoming more transient and workplaces more virtual, is that the opportunity to build deep personal relationships at work diminishes. Frequent job changes and remote work reduce the chances for serendipitous interactions and casual conversations that foster camaraderie. Meetings, often conducted via video or phone, are more task-focused and transactional. Social gatherings outside of work, such as drinks or meals, are less frequent, partly due to the logistical challenges posed by hybrid work arrangements. Consequently, the expectation of forming close personal relationships at work has significantly shifted. Today, finding a spouse or close friends at work is increasingly rare. The takeaway is that today your co-workers are just co-workers; for life-partners you must look elsewhere.

The Rising Importance of Social Skills

My conversation with Sankar made it clearer to me that as workplace bonds become harder to form, social skills have become more crucial for career success. The ability to connect with others, build rapport and trust, and understand social dynamics—even with minimal face-to-face contact—is more important than ever. Those who excel in such “soft skills” are far more likely to advance.

Rethinking Education for the Future

Given these shifts, Sankar emphasizes the need to rethink education to better balance STEM subjects with liberal arts and social skills. My own education in aerospace engineering and business prepared me well for a career in science and technology. However, the courses that have had the most lasting impact on me were those focused on society — philosophy, literature, photography, and the human aspects of management of innovation and economic development. As we prepare the next generation for a rapidly changing world, we need to realize that STEM-skills are just “table stakes”. It is crucial that education also equips our young people for life-long learning and strong social and civic skills.

Photo from the WSJ article “The Loneliness of the American Worker ”