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"You have to make space in your heart, in your mind and in your life itself for authentic human connection." ~ Marianne Williamson

Agendas are tight, many tasks to accomplish, and urgent matters to tackle --- the days are short. You race from meeting to meeting and the only connection with people is through phone calls, emails, or memos.  Occasional lunches are great but if deadlines mount the temptation to forego lunch may become the norm.  Let’s face it the digital revolution of the workplace will add difficulty to our ability to connect with one another.

Different personality types make things complicated too. Introverts will turn down the extrovert’s invitation to crowded settings.  The extrovert assumes the introvert is aloof and doesn’t want to belong.  The cycle of assumption is ongoing and prevents connections.  But true connection is when people feel safe to share ideas and personal insights. Human connection creates rich dialogue essential for trust, collaboration and problem solving.

So how does a workplace create a place that feels like family? Where people can feel close without invading sensitive space?  

First, some ground rules to remember: 

  1. Be adaptable. Learn to shift your style to meet the needs of others. 
  2. Be vulnerable. Be real. There is no room for egos here.  
  3. Authentic connections require acceptance. Regardless of differing opinions. 
  4. Let go of connections that encourage negativity in life. I know…this is hard. But negativity is contagious and poisons the ability to have authentic relationships. Learn to let go.
  5. When upset about something respond from a place of love and kindness -- not from a place of anger and retaliation.
  6. Connection is more than icebreakers. 

Here are 5 ways to develop meaningful connections in a busy workplace: 

  1. Where there is free food, there are people: 

Create potluck days where people can drop in, grab some food and chat a little while. Or consider randomly going around handing out a plate of cookies if people are too busy to stop in.

2. Audiobook or podcast thought sharing: 

If time is tight in the workplace consider audiobook or podcast thought sharing. Every popular business thought leadership or inspirational book is virtually on audiobook version. Commuting to work even for 20-30 minutes one way provides a perfect time to take in a book. Invite someone or a small group to listen to the same audiobook as you and share how concepts learned may apply in their life or career, over a cup of coffee, email or text.   The best part about this is that sharing and ultimately connection becomes a long-term event.

3. Inside scoop sharing: 

Kristen Hadeed from the book, “Permission to Screw Up” says that she implemented a personal sharing session that employees have to share what one thing they experienced in life that shaped their thinking today. Set up times that employees share something about themselves through words and/or pictures.

4. Gratitude is a powerful connection tool:

Enjoy life and your surroundings and encourage others to do the same. Initiate random acts of kindness or recognition days. Encourage your team to share what and who they are grateful for and why.

5. Make the time: 

It sounds simple but its true. Simply making the time to get to know one another is the most effective ways to develop authentic connections. Consider extending the meeting time to an extra 20 - 30 minutes and hold people over to chat about how they are doing. 

Developing strong human connection in the workplace starts with the person in the mirror, commitment to take the time, and the ability to earn and nurture trust. 

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Tresha Moreland

Tresha Moreland is a 30-year organizational effectiveness and strategic workforce planning expert. She partners with business leaders to develop workplace strategies that achieve best-in-class results. She has held key organizational leadership roles in multiple industries such as manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality, and healthcare. Tresha is the founder and principal consultant of HR C-Suite, LLC (www.hrcsuite.com). HR C-Suite is a results-based HR strategy resource dedicated to connecting HR with business results. She has received a master’s degree in human resource management (MS) and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). She has also earned a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Six Sigma Black Belt Professional (SSBBP) Certification. She is also recognized as a Fellow with the American College Healthcare Executives with a FACHE designation.

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