Connecting with teams

A stat I quote often is the one from Gallup that tells us that only 13% of people are engaged at work. This means that 87% aren’t engaged. Imagine what this does to your performance, your productivity, and your profit?

Think about how much opportunity is being missed.

In this podcast episode, I talk about why people are less engaged at work. Spoiler alert: quite often it’s because of a lack of connection in the workplace.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that people WANT to feel connected to those they work with, and yet it often is. It’s about simple things like saying good morning, asking how your colleague’s weekend was and asking how they are. Don’t ask “How are you?” but instead ask:

• What are you working on?
• What are you reading right now?
• What podcast are you listening to?
• What can I help you with / how can I help you?

Simple? Yes, it is. But I can tell you when I worked for a CEO who scurried in, head down, avoiding all eye contact each morning after morning, despite my best efforts to say hello, I did not feel valued. And my work reflected this.

The way you connect with your team and your greater workforce plays a HUGE role in increasing your potential for engagement, productivity and growth

Research by EY reminds us that when people feel like they belong at work, and have a sense of connection to their colleagues, managers and the organisation they are more productive, motivated, engaged and 3.5 times more likely to contribute to their fullest potential.

What’s stopping us from being connected?

• Nomophobia – fear of not being able to put our phones down
• Technology – phone, Netflix etc – sleep is Netflix competitor
• Moving away from where we grew up
• Reliance on email / messaging apps rather than talking on the phone or face to face

How can you help your people know their purpose?

Something else that’s stopping us from feeling connected at work is that often a lot of us don’t know their purpose. Ask 10 people in your organisation what their purpose is and you’ll probably get 10 answers. Many of which will be related to specific tasks they need to do as part of their job.

What are somethings you can do to create a connection? And therefore more engagement?

I believe there are three primary qualities that people who are connected have.

The first is that they show empathy.

The second is that they’re kind.

And the third is that they’re authentic. They show their real and human side. At work. All the time.

What are you going to do to connect with your team this week? I’d love to know. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle.

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You might also like to:

• Attend one of my upcoming events in Brisbane or Melbourne
• Download my latest whitepaper The Social CEO – from invisible to influencer
• Signup to my newsletter
• Buy a copy of my book, The Social Association
• Book a time for a 15 minute chat

Mel Kettle is all about connection, communication and collaboration. She works with CEOs, leaders and teams to help them better communicate and collaborate (online AND offline) to achieve better relationships, revenue and results. Mel is a facilitator, trainer, speaker, author and mentor who provides practical advice that achieves results while having some fun!Download her latest whitepaper, The Social CEO – from invisible to influencer or order a signed copy of her book, The Social Association. To inquire about working with Mel, please email mel@melkettle.com or call her on 0404 600 889.