Who do you feel truly connected to at work? Maybe you have a go-to colleague for honest advice or someone you know you can count on when you want to brainstorm. These kinds of meaningful connections don’t just happen. They take work.
Dr. Amber Johnson, a leadership development consultant and communication expert, says strong connections matter on all teams, whether you work in person, remotely or follow a hybrid schedule. Seeking out high-quality connections, or HQCs, is worth the time because they help everyone on your team work better together. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share Dr. Johnson’s guidance for building better connections at work and making them stick.
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Start meetings with intentional check-ins. Invite everyone to share something non-work related, like the best meal they had in the last week. Want to keep it work-related? Dr. Johnson says you could encourage everyone to give a shout-out or share a small win.
Create virtual coffee chats. Just like impromptu chats happen in the hallway, short video calls let virtual team members join in those casual conversations. Dr. Johnson says you could let everyone manage this on their own or pair different team members each month to build across-the-team relationships.
Share appropriate personal content. Maybe it’s pet photos or favorite recipes. Dr. Johnson also likes the ideas of having a semi-annual “I recommend” conversation where everyone shares something they recommend, like a book, podcast or movie.
Practice active listening and empathy. When someone shares a challenge or a win, respond with genuine interest and follow up later to show you remember and care.
Be proactively communicative. According to Dr. Johnson, it’s helpful to share information openly and to offer help before being asked.
Celebrate wins together. In addition to team achievements, commemorate personal milestones and birthdays. For example, Dr. Johnson says you could have someone on your team gather funny memes or photos to delight a co-worker on their birthday. This takes zero dollars and a small amount of effort but brings a big measure of joy.
Use video when possible. This is an easy way to make interactions feel more human, Dr. Johnson says. Turn on cameras during meetings to create more personal connections through facial expressions and body language.
Don’t get too busy to get to know your co-workers. A quick check-in or relatable joke can create a sense of camaraderie. It’s worth the effort to invest in relationships that make work more collaborative and fun.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Amber Johnson, PhD is a Chicago-based leadership development consultant, coach and communication expert.
