Reconnecting With Colleagues in a Disconnected Workplace

Recent data from Hubspot’s 2023 Hybrid Work Report found that only 34% of employees feel strongly connected to their colleagues. The impact of this disconnection extends beyond mental health concerns. Research demonstrates that employees who experience greater workplace loneliness have poorer job performance. This is because lonelier employees were less approachable to their coworkers and had lower affective commitment to their organizations.

Moreover, employees who feel isolated are more likely to leave their jobs. The same Hubspot report revealed that 66% of respondents with a close friend at work say this relationship influences their intention to stay. These findings underscore the importance of workplace connections for both individual well-being and organizational outcomes, including retention and performance.

While leadership teams and managers play a large role in creating opportunities for connections more broadly through team-building activities or social gatherings, there are evidence-based strategies we can each take to strengthen our connections with coworkers.
 

1. Don’t Underestimate Reaching Out

One simple yet effective way to reconnect with colleagues is to take the initiative and reach out. Research shows that people often underestimate how much others appreciate hearing from them. This “appreciation gap” suggests that reaching out to colleagues can have a more positive impact than we might anticipate. Whether it’s a colleague you haven’t spoken to in a while or someone you’ve never had the chance to connect one-on-one with, sending a quick note to say hello or offering a time to meet, either in person or virtually, can have a bigger impact than you might expect.
 

2. Make First Impressions Count

First impressions matter, especially when welcoming new employees into an organization. Research has found that emphasizing employees’ unique identities during onboarding led to greater customer satisfaction and employee retention. When introducing someone new to your team or company, going beyond the basics is essential. Be imaginative and thoughtful in your introductions. Use specific details that highlight the individual’s unique skills and personality to help them feel valued and seen right from the start.

At Michigan Ross Executive Education, we employ a creative “two truths and a lie” activity during monthly all-staff meetings, in which the rest of the team guesses which statement is the lie. This engaging ritual not only breaks the ice but also provides a memorable way to showcase new employees’ personalities and experiences.
 

3. Amplify Others’ Contributions

Beyond personal outreach and warm welcomes, creating a supportive work culture requires an ongoing effort to lift others up, especially in times of challenge. Research demonstrates that “amplification”—publicly endorsing someone’s idea with proper attribution—can have significant benefits for both the amplifier and the original contributor. Their study found that amplification not only makes the original idea seem better but also increases the status of both the person who voiced the idea and the person who amplified it. This strategy is particularly effective in helping under-represented or lower-status employees gain recognition.

Going back to the Ross Executive Education team, the “kudos” ritual, where staff members publicly acknowledge their colleagues’ contributions, exemplifies this principle in action. This reinforces a culture of appreciation and mutual support.
 

Ultimately, building meaningful relationships at work isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about consistently taking small, intentional actions to connect with others. Whether it’s sending a thoughtful message, or publicly celebrating a colleague’s success, each of us has the power to shape a more supportive work environment that helps us see each other as valued human beings above and beyond our job titles.