Dr. Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General, this month issued an advisory on the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in the United States. Research shows in recent years that 60% of Americans are deemed to be lonely.
We all feel it to some degree, and our mental and emotional health is compromised as a result. In fact, lacking social connection can have as negative an impact on a person’s mortality as smoking, hypertension, or physical inactivity.
We are swimming against a tide of separation.
As humans, we are wired for connection to each other in our shared humanity. For that connection to be strong, we need to be authentic in our presence, flawed humanity and all. Being connected has powerful benefits for the well-being of individuals and communities.
The message we get from modern culture, however, suggests that well-being comes from setting ourselves apart – making the most money or winning the most followers. Social media presents a highly edited image of the lives of others, making our own normal day-to-day lives seem inferior. Culture is amplifying our separation.
According to research, connection has been declining for decades. We have fewer friends and social relationships than ever before. The amount of time we spend engaged in community activities has likewise declined. Research from the Pew Trusts show that we trust each other less and there has been substantial growth in how polarized we are. And while these specific studies are US based, many of the same experiences are showing up all over the world.
Loneliness and separation are hiding in plain sight.
One-third of our life is spent at work. The data cited in the Surgeon General’s report show that this challenge is so pervasive that it is impacting workplaces universally. However, we rarely acknowledge loneliness and isolation at work.
Making connection at work more complicated is the underlying issue of competition. Competitive environments fuel the culture of separation, as people fear that the authenticity behind connection will leave them exposed to attack for anything short of perfection.
Just as social connection benefits our personal well-being, it also promotes work well-being. Supporting teamwork is critical to responding to the desire for social connection at work. Leaders must be intentional about creating cultures of safety, connection, and belonging to shift the tide.
Compassionate leaders go first.
One of the challenges of loneliness is that people experiencing social isolation find it difficult to reach out to build connections to others. The solution to combating loneliness in team members at work needs to come from leaders reaching out to build supportive, trusting teams.
The first step in this outreach is simply connecting to your colleagues on a human level. Get to know your people and what they care about. Check in regularly with how things are going for them in their day-to-day life. And while your authentic intention of these efforts needs to spring from your well of care for the well-being of team members, connected workplaces are shown to be more productive workplaces.
Many of the old ways of teambuilding are still useful, but our hybrid environments demand more deliberate attention to making sure people have the chance to interact and not just transact. Simple workplace rituals like team lunches, group activities, and play that foster connection can be especially powerful to support deepening relationships.
Remember too that your impact on your team’s social connections extends well beyond the workplace. Create expectations and policies that give people space and time to develop strong connections outside of work. Respect boundaries so that email or work inquiries don’t spill over or intrude into their personal lives. Explore the many ways your work policies can offer support for connection through family life, ongoing education, and well-being.
In closing…
You can enact the change that fosters deeper connection at work at a human level. Creating workplace culture that supports everyone to thrive through connection and belonging is a fundamental principle for leading compassionately. Even if the overarching culture of your organization presents a challenge, there are steps we can all take from right where we are. It starts with courageously extending yourself in a more open-hearted way to your team, peers, and boss. As you show up with compassion, others will most certainly follow.