Connection Builds Teams

What comes to your mind when I say—“Connection Builds Teams”? Does your brain say—“oh yes” or “huh?”

There is important data that backs up the theory that when you are connected with people at work and have satisfying relationships, you will be more productive and happy and more likely to stay with the company.

This is critically important information around how we set up offices and provide the time and space for connection. The Gallup organization has done many studies documented in First, Break All The Rules: What The World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. They say job success is correlated to “having a best friend at work.” Many people have pushed back on the language of “having a best friend at work,” but the statistics speak for themselves.

In the Gallup Business Journal, they discuss the value of connection at work.

“When strong engagement is felt in a work group, employees believe that their coworkers will help them during times of stress and challenge. In this day of rapid-fire change, reorganization, mergers, and acquisitions, having best friends at work may be the true key to effective change integration and adaptation. When compared to those who don’t, employees who have best friends at work identify significantly higher levels of healthy stress management, even though they experience the same levels of stress.”

 How do we build connection at work? One way is to provide opportunities. For instance, I’m a member of the Rockridge Toastmasters and recently held a Pot Luck Supper” in my home. (see picture) My intention was to bring people together so they will get to know each other beyond the one hour they spend each week building leadership and speaking skills. They can now be more supportive because they can build their relationships on a different level. People learn so much about each other when they have this time to hang out and socialize. I am curious to see what happens and how deepening these relationships will enhance our support of each other.

I use the Strengths Based Leadership Assessment with my clients and teams. My talents, which I have built into strengths are empathy, positivity, connectedness, focus, and responsibility. So it’s pretty clear that I am hard wired to connect, and it’s really important to me.

Even if it’s not that important to you, if you are a manager or a leader, think of what kind of impact this could have for your team. When things get tough-think of how connection can bring your people together.

What are some of your ideas for connection? I would love to hear about it.