WHAT
Social connection is the experience of feeling close with others, including feeling valued, cared for, and respected.
WHY
Prominent positive psychologist Christopher Peterson was known for saying, “other people matter,” as relationships bring purpose, meaning, and joy to our lives. Yet, with long to-do lists, connecting with others often falls at the bottom of the priority list.
In times of anxiety and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to intentionally focus on relationships, which research shows have a high return on investment (ROI) in the workplace. Strong workplace relationships lead to higher engagement, impact creativity and innovation, and serve to build individual wellbeing.
HOW
Meaningful work relationships matter now more than ever as we embrace social distancing and virtual workplaces. Whether you lead a team or are a member of one, step up and set the tone by prioritizing social connection. Here are a few tips to be intentional about strengthening relationships on your virtual team.
Understand that remote work is different. If someone on your team is adjusting to remote work, be prepared for a transition period, and don’t expect immediate perfection. Give them the opportunity to rise to the occasion, and trust them to do so.
Create a community. Stop and show your co-workers it’s not just about work. Before you jump into the task at hand, take a moment to ask your colleagues how they are doing and genuinely listen to the answer. Set-up a virtual coffee or an afternoon yoga stretch with someone you have not connected with in a while.
Communicate even more. Relationships are all about communication, and clear communication is even more important without face-to-face contact. In times of uncertainty, having the intention to be extra kind, honest, compassionate, inclusive and authentic in your communication with others can go a long way.
Get clear on the goals. Be sure to set-up clear goals and communicate expectations on what is expected in the short and long term. Don’t forget to include meaningful, future-focused work such as brainstorming.
Build trust. A two year study by Google found that psychological safety - the feeling that people have your back - is a key factor that sets successful teams apart from others. Psychological safety is built through trust. Be the first to extend your trust to others and show through your actions that you’re worthy of theirs too.
Thank and acknowledge others. Almost everyone enjoys being the recipient of gratitude. People like to be recognized in different ways. If you use an online collaboration platform, take the time to show your co-workers that you recognize their efforts with emoji’s, a call-out in a virtual meeting or just send them a short message of appreciation.
Authors
Eudaimonic by Design is a global network of consultants, facilitators and systems thinkers who share a passion for the science of well-being and believe that organizations must be designed to enable it. We harness the best of scholarly thought and years of practical experience to help people be truly engaged, act ethically and pursue excellence.
Sign up to our Resource Library
Get first-hand access to our rich resources, exclusive insights, and the latest updates from thought leaders in resilience. Enhance your understanding and stay ahead with EUBD.