734. Expert Interview: How to Create Connection in the Age of Isolation

Dan Schawbel

“Attention is such a vital thing in our society and in the workplace. Giving people attention, recognizing them, being fully present in the moment…is so critical to establishing relationships, to be taken seriously, to have people reciprocate.”

Dan Schawbel is a New York Times bestselling author, Partner and Research Director at Future Workplace, and the Founder of both Millennial Branding and WorkplaceTrends.com. He is the bestselling author of two career books: “Promote Yourself” and “Me 2.0.” Dan’s third book, “Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation,” was published by Hachette on November 13, 2018. He has been recognized on several lists including Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30,” Forbes Magazine’s “30 Under 30,” Business Insider’s “40 Under 40,” BusinessWeek’s “20 Entrepreneurs You Should Follow,” and as one of Workforce Magazine’s “Game Changers.”

How to Create Connection in the Age of Isolation

“Excellent technology has made it easier to connect than ever before. Yet, at the same time we feel more isolated from each other and lonely from the overuse and misuse of it. What happens in the workplace is that when people feel isolated they are far less engaged and more likely to quit their jobs.”

Why Is This Important?

“What’s happening is that people have technology fatigue and are burned out. People are working longer hours than ever before without additional pay. Burnout is connected to almost 50% of all employee turnover. There is a huge cost and burden of trying to replace those employees. It’s costing the global economy trillions of dollars.”

What Are the Key Lessons Learned Here?

1. If you are a leader, giving attention to your employees is one of the most valuable assets now because it shows that you truly care.

2. Realize how you are spending your time and what tools you are using and overusing.

3. Collecting feedback is key: have one-on-one team discussions where you discuss what’s working, and what’s not working when it comes to communications.

4. Create a safe space where people can freely share their ideas.

5. Four key employment engagement factors are: belonging, trust, purpose and happiness.

6. Practice shared learning. When you learn something new and helpful, be sure the other members of the team benefit as well.