One of the most powerful and least understood aspects of successful businesses is how employees' feelings of connection, community, and unity provide a competitive advantage.
Employees in a business or organisation with a high degree of connection are more engaged, more productive in their jobs, and less likely to leave for a competitor. They are also more trusting and cooperative; they are more willing to share information with their colleagues and therefore help them make well-informed decisions.
Science has proven that feeling connected is a human need. Disconnected individuals don't give their best efforts or align their behaviour with the business or organisational goals. Plus, they bring toxic stress home with them.
How can leaders bring out connection in their workplace to meet this human need and improve the performance of individuals, their team, and their organisation?
In "Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy, and Understanding at Work", author Mike Stallard explains how we can be intentional in creating and sustaining connection cultures. Connection Culture reveals how leaders at every level can be more self-aware, develop their untapped potential, and drive significantly better results.
In this new book, you'll learn key actions through engaging and inspiring stories from U2's Bono to Ford's Alan Mulally.
The following attitudes, language and behaviours will help facilitate connection:
1. Recognise varying connection needs.
2. Be present in conversations.
3. Develop the ability to empathise.
4. Develop the habit of emphasising positives.
5. Control our tone of voice.
6. Negotiate with the mindset to solve a problem rather than to win.
7. Provide autonomy in execution.
9. Learn and apply the five languages of appreciation.
10. Develop social skills and relationship skills, and recognise the difference between them.
Reference: Michael Lee Stallard: “Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy, and Understanding at Work”.
Business Tips
Building a Connection Culture
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- Parent Category: Business Tips
- Category: Leadership
