Humans are fundamentally social beings. One of our most basic psychological needs is to feel connected to others – and one of the richest but overlooked places for connection is at work, writes Dr Amantha Imber.
Spending the last 12 months working apart has been tough on the culture of many teams. Not surprisingly, it’s led to increased feelings of social isolation that leads to increased stress at work and feeling less satisfied with life in general.
Now that many offices are opening back up (albeit in between sporadic lockdowns), it’s the perfect time for organisations to focus on rebuilding team culture and feelings of connectedness. Focusing on building “High-Quality Connections” (HCQ) is an effective way to rebuild.
The term HQC was coined by Professor Jane Dutton from the University of Michigan. It refers to a shorter-term interaction that you have with someone virtually or face to face, in which both people feel lit up and energised by the connection.
The beauty of HQCs is that they don’t require significant time – they can be as simple as a five-minute conversation with someone.
Research shows that HQCs have a myriad of benefits, including helping us be more creative, resilient, and even live longer. Beyond helping us thrive individually, they also contribute to building a strong team culture. When team members experience HQCs, they are more creative, coordinated, and more likely to have mutual respect for one another.
Source: Lawyers Weekly
