Evolving technology and remote working environments are here to stay, which complicates communication across an organization. We may think our endless communication choices of social media, IM’s, texts, and emails keep us connected and informed.
According to Gallup, people are feeling more disconnected from their workplace, with what is being called in 2025 “the Great Detachment”.
I read a study a few years ago (before this new term) indicating the health impact from isolation and lacking connection is the equivalent of smoking 16 cigarettes a day. (See U.S. Surgeon General Framework for the Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being). That is mind blowing!
And, regardless of working at the office or at home, Gallup’s study indicates employees are feeling disconnected from their organization’s mission and that their organization or supervisor does not care about them.
Although overall job satisfaction has decreased and job searching has increased, employees are staying in their current roles.
These trends heighten the need to create belonging and connection in your company culture. This begins with building employee engagement.
First, think about how many remote team members you have in your organization and your level of communication with them.
A few ways to create connection remotely include having a virtual team coffee to talk about topics other than daily tasks and deadlines. Or you can create a weekly trivia quiz for team participation. You can also send a text or IM to recognize a personal success, share a quote, or see how their day is going.
Also, consider how you individually communicate with your team members to meet their needs, regardless of location. It can be as simple as 5 minutes of your time on a call or at their desk to hear an actual voice. Or meet with them 1:1 each month to discuss their career goals and how they fit in with the mission & vision of the company.
To learn more about creating a culture of connection in today’s chaotic world, schedule a 30-minute complimentary virtual Strategy Session to discuss and create an actionable item.