Regaining Lost Connections

Listening to new ‘Dragon’ Steven Bartlett’s podcast with guest Johann Hari this week, I was fascinated by the concept of modern western society needing to rediscover the art of lost connections – connections with family, our friends, our work colleagues, in fact all other human beings we meet.

Researching for his latest book, Lost Connections, Hari travelled the globe, conducting hundreds of interviews with leading professors, doctors, and clinical specialists in a bid to discover why depression and anxiety levels are where they are; his aim was to offer a ‘radical new way of thinking about this crisis’.

Hari is a fascinating, eloquent individual who can recapitulate expert research and provide relevance to our modern society. The book is a New York Times best-seller acclaimed by many including Oprah and Elton John.

His journey found that connections with other humans is so very strongly linked to our physical and mental wellbeing, and this got me thinking about the impact on not just our social relationships but also those at work.

We were all denied degrees of human connection over the pandemic, and in an effort to rediscover and celebrate our human connection, smart organisations will understand the importance of connecting with their employees. This is particularly relevant where hybrid working arrangements are in place.

So, check in with your employees regularly, at least once a week – for a 5-minute 1-on-1 chat – to ask how they really are (ask twice if you think you’re not getting a true answer first time around). Encourage team members to check in on - and support - each other regularly.

Those employees who feel listened to and feel they have a purpose, are more likely to have higher levels of engagement and perform better. We are all human beings, and a little support goes a long way to enriching the workplace experience.

PODCAST:

The Diary of a CEO - E26: Johann Hari - We Have Lost our Connections : Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/e26-johann-hari-we-have-lost-our-connections/id1291423644?i=1000430618271

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/06ck9nyE2BREsk0rghLiK6

BOOK:

Hari, J. (2018). Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions https://thelostconnections.com/

TED Talk:

This could be why you're depressed or anxious - Johann Hari https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB5IX-np5fE