Our Deepest Need Is For Human Connection
"The way your employees feel is the way your customers will feel. And if your employees don't feel valued, neither will your customers." — Sybil F. Stershic
Human connection is at the core of our well-being, impacting our workplace experiences, community, and personal relationships. Positive work cultures and genuine care for employee well-being drive productivity and loyalty in the professional world. Societal strength lies in embracing diversity and inclusion and acknowledging the human need for acceptance.
From family to romance, personal relationships derive emotional sustenance from genuine connections. The digital age introduces challenges as technology facilitates communication but may need more depth of face-to-face interactions. The actual value of human connection lies in authenticity and shared experiences, not just surface-level engagements.
Leaders should recognise their impact on interconnected lives, whether in business or at home. Individuals must prioritise genuine connections over superficial engagements. In navigating the modern world, fostering authentic connections is not just enriching on a personal level but contributes to the collective well-being of humanity. Ultimately, our most profound need is for human connection.
Bolman and Deal's reframing of an organisation’s framework introduces four frames: Structural, political, human resources, and symbolic. These frames serve as lenses or perspectives for leaders to examine and navigate their work, leadership roles, and organisations. The Structural Frame emphasises the organisation’s architecture and design; the Political Frame focuses on power dynamics and conflicts; the Human Resources Frame centres on people and their needs, while the Symbolic Frame delves into the organisation’s culture, symbols, and meaning. These frames provide a comprehensive toolkit for leaders to analyse and address challenges within their organisational contexts.
Fostering a Positive Work Culture involves promoting teamwork, collaboration, and open communication within the workplace, which strengthens employee relationships. This may include team-building activities, open-door policies, and creating spaces for social interaction. The impact of organisational culture on employee well-being is significant. A positive and supportive culture where employees feel valued, respected, and included enhances engagement and well-being.
Supporting Employee Well-being is demonstrated through providing resources for mental health support, offering flexible work hours, and establishing wellness programmes. This reflects an organisation’s genuine concern for its employees' well-being, fostering a sense of belonging and connection. The workplace is increasingly focusing on mental health, with initiatives like mental health days, access to therapists or counsellors, and de-stigmatising conversations around mental well-being. Employers are leveraging technology, such as apps for mindfulness stress reduction and platforms offering mental health support resources.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion involves embracing diversity and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This facilitates meaningful connections among employees from different backgrounds. Companies recognise the positive impact of an inclusive culture on well-being, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives aim to create environments where all employees have equal growth opportunities.
Encouraging Social Interaction within the workplace can be achieved by organising social events, gatherings, or clubs and encouraging personal interactions outside work tasks. Effective Communication Channels, whether through regular team meetings, feedback sessions, or digital platforms, allow for open dialogue and strengthen connections among team members.
Leadership and Relationship Building are crucial in fostering a connected and engaged workforce. Leaders who exhibit empathy, actively listen, and build rapport with their teams and contribute to a positive work environment. Studies highlight the role of leadership in fostering employee well-being. Supportive, empathetic leaders who prioritise their employees' well-being tend to lead more engaged and satisfied teams.
*What matters to employees?
Fostering a Supportive Culture is essential, emphasising a workplace that values and supports well-being. This involves promoting work-life balance, raising awareness about mental health, and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing well-being concerns.
Prioritising Physical Health means providing resources and initiatives like wellness programmes, ergonomic work setups, healthy snacks or meals, and opportunities for exercise or movement breaks during the workday. Studies consistently show a positive correlation between a supportive work environment and improved employee mental health. Factors like job demands, control over work, social support, and organisational culture significantly impact mental well-being.
Offering Mental Health Support, such as counselling services, mental health days, or workshops on stress management and resilience, significantly contribute to employees' well-being. Holistic wellness programmes, encompassing mental health resources, mindfulness training, financial well-being workshops, and fitness activities, are becoming integral to employee well-being initiatives.
Effective Workload Management ensures manageable workloads, avoiding excessive overtime, and providing adequate resources and support. Studies underline the importance of work-life balance in reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being. Flexible work arrangements, such as remote or flexible work options, positively impact employees' ability to balance work and personal life.
Flexibility and Autonomy, including flexible work hours or remote work when feasible, give employees a sense of control over their schedules, contributing to reduced stress and better work-life balance. The rise of remote work has emphasised the importance of flexibility, with companies embracing schedules, options, and hybrid models to accommodate preferences and improve work-life balance. Customisable benefits packages, tailored to individual needs, are gaining traction, allowing employees to choose options aligning with their lifestyle and well-being goals.
Recognition and appreciation are potent tools that boost morale and contribute to a positive work environment. Recognising employees' efforts, providing constructive feedback, and expressing gratitude are critical in fostering job satisfaction. Factors like autonomy, supportive leadership, recognition, growth opportunities, and a sense of purpose within the organisation influence job satisfaction.
Social Support and Connection are fostered through teamwork, positive relationships, and workplace social interaction opportunities. Promoting Career Development and Growth involves providing opportunities for skill development, career advancement, and clear paths for growth within the organisation, contributing to a sense of fulfilment and well-being among employees.
Srinath Sridharan is an author, policy researcher & corporate advisor
Steve Correa is an executive coach, OD consultant & author
