In recent years, the landscape of the workplace has undergone a seismic shift. The traditionally unassailable concept of in-office work was dramatically challenged as the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the globe. Organizations were suddenly plunged into a ‘work from anywhere’ reality, scrambling to adapt their operations and maintain their corporate culture beyond the familiar confines of the office space.
Now, as we step into the post-pandemic world, the importance of forging human connections within this new work paradigm is paramount. A compelling study by Enboarder underscored this, revealing that a staggering 94% of employees demonstrate higher productivity when they feel a sense of camaraderie with their colleagues. Employees who enjoy a strong connection with their co-workers are not only less likely to leave within the upcoming year but are also four times as likely to express high levels of job satisfaction. These statistics gain even more significance when juxtaposed with studies showing that toxic corporate environments often play a more influential role in an employee’s decision to leave their job than inadequate compensation.
Establishing a unified core set of values that resonate deeply with employees serves as an effective catalyst in fostering both individual and collective engagement with the company and its brand. Top-performing companies often attribute their success to having laid down their values early in the company’s lifecycle and emphasizing them consistently – not just within their internal workforce, but also to their clients, consumers, and the wider community.
Clear, consistent articulation of these values equips employees with a better understanding and connection to them, enabling them to embody these values in their actions. As time progresses, employees gradually transform into exemplary custodians of these values, actively propagating them throughout the organizational structure and even extending their influence beyond the corporate confines.
This process underscores why your values should serve as the cornerstone upon which company policies, recruitment and retention strategies, and overall corporate culture are constructed. Building upon such a solid foundation allows for a coherent, cohesive organizational structure that encourages not just employee satisfaction and productivity, but also fosters a deep sense of belonging and commitment.
The era of the pandemic has forcefully reminded us of the importance of adaptability, resilience, and community. The evolution of the modern workplace, catalyzed by these lessons, offers an opportunity for organizations to reimagine their corporate culture. By focusing on shared values and human connections, companies can create workplaces that are not only productive but also inclusive, supportive, and fulfilling. Through this, companies can ensure they are not just surviving in the new normal but are thriving, growing, and setting themselves up for success in the post-pandemic world.
Just as relationships bring richness and depth to our personal lives, they are equally crucial in the professional sphere. Like threads in a tapestry, relationships woven together over time create a vibrant and intricate network of connections. These relationships, built on trust, respect, and shared experiences, become the backbone of our professional journey. They shape our work identity, influence our attitudes, and ultimately impact our performance and satisfaction in the workplace.
In the context of a company, these relationships often transcend the typical employer-employee dynamics. They encapsulate interactions between colleagues, relationships with mentors and supervisors, collaborations with other teams, and even relationships with clients and customers. Each of these relationships contributes uniquely to the health and vitality of the organizational culture.
Positive, supportive relationships create a work environment that is conducive to creativity, collaboration, and productivity. Employees who feel connected and valued are likely to be more engaged and motivated. They are also less likely to experience burnout and more likely to express job satisfaction. In a world where employee well-being is increasingly recognized as crucial for sustainable success, nurturing these relationships becomes paramount.
The power of connection: From the day we are born, we start to form relationships. First with our parents and family, then with friends, colleagues, mentors, and partners. Each connection teaches us something about ourselves and the world around us, contributing to our personal growth. Whether it’s the unconditional love of family, the shared laughter with friends, or the mutual respect between colleagues, each relationship plays a unique role in shaping us as individuals.
Human beings are inherently social creatures, craving companionship, and camaraderie. In fact, research shows that people who maintain strong, positive relationships tend to live longer, healthier lives. A study from the Harvard Medical School, known as the Harvard Study of Adult Development, found that embracing community helps us to live longer, and be happier.
Emotionally, relationships provide a support system that is invaluable in dealing with life’s ups and downs. They give us a sense of belonging, which enhances self-esteem and gives life meaning. Knowing that we have people we can rely on during tough times can make life’s challenges more bearable. Likewise, sharing our joys and successes with others amplifies our happiness. In professional contexts, relationships form the backbone of networking, opening opportunities and possibilities. Mentors can guide us, colleagues can challenge us, and these interactions can lead to personal and professional development.
Every relationship must provide VALUE whatever the context of the relationship. But more so in business, healthy relationships are currency. The next few paragraphs explore what it means to offer value in relationships.
Vulnerability — This character trait holds a special place in relationship dynamics. It represents the humility to acknowledge that one does not hold all the answers, the self-assurance to confess mistakes, and above all, the courage to voice the need for help. My mentor, John Kaplan, aptly puts it, “It’s perfectly fine not to know every answer. However, inaction is not an option.” By demonstrating vulnerability, be it with an employee or a potential customer, we pave the way for an authentic environment conducive to building strong relationships.
Authenticity — Embracing your authentic self is crucial. Attempting to adopt a persona that isn’t true to who you are can be transparent to your team and potential customers. It’s almost impossible to establish enduring relationships when you’re not being genuine. Remember, unless you’re a Hollywood actor playing a role, it’s essential to remain true to yourself to cultivate authentic relationships.
Level-Headedness — Maintaining composure in the face of adversity is a key aspect of relationship building. There will be instances when circumstances do not align with your expectations. Reacting impulsively or with heightened emotions can create a hostile environment, potentially leading to people feeling threatened. Exercising level-headedness involves providing your team with the benefit of the doubt before reacting negatively. Whenever confronted with undesirable news, I ask myself, “Did this person wake up this morning hoping to ruin my day with bad news?” The response is invariably no.
Candor — Embodying condor necessitates a profound commitment to effective communication and managing expectations appropriately. Consider a scenario where you need to relay unfavourable news to a colleague or client. Do you withhold it due to apprehension about their reaction? Or do you confront the unfavourable news head-on, alleviating your concerns and addressing the issue directly? Ideally, your response aligns with the latter approach. I’ve consistently found that people hold a deep respect for honesty, regardless of the nature of the news. Upholding honesty and candidness are instrumental when striving to establish enduring relationships.
Understanding Others — To forge robust relationships, it’s essential to be able to relate to others, acknowledging both their professional and personal struggles. It’s vital to take a moment to connect with your colleagues or customers, to understand how their day is unfolding or identify how you can simplify their lives. Demonstrating appreciation for your teammates necessitates pausing in our bustling daily lives. Periodically reaching out or showing interest in their emotional well-being communicates your genuine concern for their feelings. Such actions not only earn their respect but also foster the development of more meaningful connections.
In wrapping up, it is unequivocal that human connection holds substantial value in dictating business success. Whether it is fostering strong relationships with clients, cultivating a collaborative environment among team members, or nurturing a deep understanding of user needs, the power of genuine human connection cannot be underestimated. The infusion of empathy, understanding, and mutual respect into our professional interactions has the potential to transform businesses, leading to higher levels of customer loyalty, team productivity, and ultimately, business prosperity. In the realm of business, where success is often measured in tangible outputs, it’s essential to remember that the intangible aspects of human connection can be the deciding factors of long-term growth and sustainability.
Are you ready for TRANSFORMATION?
Dzigbordi K. Dosoo: The H.E.L.P. Coach
Dzigbordi K. Dosoo is a Soft Skills Expert, Personal Impact, Professional Growth and Influence Expert specializing in Humanness, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Power – H.E.L.P.
A career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as a Certified High Performance Coach, Speaker, Author, Wellness Expert and award-winning Entrepreneur with a clientele ranging from C-Suite Executives, Senior Management, Practitioners and Sales Leaders spanning 3 continents.
She is the Soft Skills Expert and Founder of Dzigbordi K. Dosoo (DKD) Holdings; a premier lifestyle business group with brand subsidiaries that include Dzigbordi Consulting Group& Allure Africa.
Dzigbordi has been featured on CNN for her entrepreneurial expertise. She is one of the most decorated female entrepreneurs in Ghana having being named “CIMG Marketing Woman of the Year” in 2009; “Top 10 most respected CEOs in Ghana, 2012; Global Heart of Leadership Award and, Women Rising “100 Most Influential Ghanaian Women”, 2017.
