As many organizations move away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, they are left asking, “what’s next?” 

My proposal is to replace DEI programs with something more effective: cultivating a culture of connection (also referred to as a “Connection Culture” or “Connected Culture”). This approach intentionally develops positive bonds among people, fostering collaboration, cooperation, employee engagement, strategic alignment, innovation, better decision-making, agility, adaptability and overall superior performance.

In a recent article published by SmartBrief on Leadership, I explain the challenge of many DEI programs and how Connection Culture addresses those challenges, why Connection Culture is a proven model for uniting teams, and how to implement Connection Culture in a way that avoids the pitfalls of DEI.

If you need help cultivating a culture of connection in your organization, reach out to me. From workshops to help train your team to books and resources, I can help your team get off to a strong start.

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In the past four years, HR professionals have encountered a host of challenges, including seismic work shifts due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Great Resignation, and much more. Caught between the dictates of upper management and the wrath of employees in response to policy changes, HR professionals are feeling misunderstood, frustrated, and disengaged.

Not surprisingly, HR had the highest turnover rate of any position tracked on LinkedIn in 2022.

I recently wrote about the challenges HR professionals are facing and some strategies for preventing burnout in the face of those challenges. You can read about it in SmartBrief on Leadership.

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Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Will Milano, Chief Marketing Officer at Integrity Solutions and host of the Mental Selling podcast, about why connection matters in sales. 

If you work in sales or manage a sales team, this conversation is for you. We talk about strategies sales leaders can use to create a work environment where sellers thrive, ultimately making the team more productive and successful.

Listen to the full podcast.

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Recently, SmartBrief on Leadership published an article I wrote about Costco’s stakeholder capitalism approach to business.

Costco stands out as a notable exception to the prevailing model of shareholder capitalism. Under the leadership of co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal, Costco cultivated a culture that prioritized employees, customers and sustainable growth over short-term stock market gains. This stakeholder capitalism approach has proven to be not only ethically sound but also financially successful.

Read the full article to learn more about Costco’s approach and why it works.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Mike Mozart under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic. Image has been cropped.

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Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with the hosts of the Beltway Broadcast, a podcast produced by the Metro DC Chapter of ATD. Our conversation covered a range of topics, including what to look for when evaluating the workplace culture of a potential employer, how to increase the odds of a colleague cooperating with you, how to build connections across departments, and more. 

Connection is more important in our workplaces now than ever. I hope this conversation inspires you to seek out healthy connections for yourself and to encourage a Connection Culture in your own workplace.

Listen to the full episode.

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Today, IE Insights published my article, “Putin and the Dangers of Being a Lonely Leader.” In the article, I explain why social isolation from the pandemic and his autocratic leadership style may have contributed to three miscalculations Russian President Vladimir Putin has made and how he may be prone to making impulsive, irrational decisions in the future. 

Putin is a disconnected and disconnecting leader. On this issue, American President Joseph Biden appears to be the polar opposite. Biden is supported by strong relationships and appears to embrace a leadership style that cultivates a culture of connection: pulling together the democracies of the world to oppose Putin’s attack on Ukraine, demonstrating empathy and compassion for those who are struggling, and seeking out different perspectives by working with people, including those from the opposing political party, who don’t share his exact beliefs.

I’m not giving a blanket endorsement of everything related to President Biden, but the American president and his leadership team are going to be more effective over time, in part because, as I explain in the article, autocratic leaders like Putin operate in work cultures of control that sabotage optimal decision-making.

You can read the full article on the IE Insights website.

Image courtesy of Pixabay user DimitroSevastapol

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Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to participate in a LinkedIn Live conversation with Walt Rakowich, former CEO of S&P 500 firm Prologis and author of the book Transfluence.

We talked about the role of relationships in the long-term success of individuals and organizations, strategies for managing stress, real-world stories of connection in action from Costco and Starbucks, our experiences with mentors, how to grow in influence even when you aren’t in a position of formal authority, and much more. It was a great discussion on topics that are top of mind for many of today’s current and emerging leaders.

If you missed it, you can watch the entire conversation again on-demand.

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The holidays are a particularly difficult time for those who are already struggling with loneliness, depression, and feelings of hopelessness. This can lead to burnout or even suicidal thoughts.

Fortunately, there is hope. As I shared in a recent conversation with Pat Farnack of New York City’s WCBS Radio, seeking counsel from a good therapist can help you to see a way forward. Talking about your struggles engages the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain involved in rational decision making, and calms the amygdala, which processes threats. The net effect is that you feel better and also are able to make rational decisions.

For all of us, take the time to reach out to those who are isolated during the holidays. Most leaders care about people, but they don’t always show it. Check in on your direct reports to see how they are doing. Look for opportunities to include those who are lonely.

Finally, if you are struggling today, please seek help. You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273- TALK (8255).

Photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash

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Pat Farnack, longtime radio host on WCBS Newsradio 880 in New York City, recently interviewed me about the trend toward “brutal honesty” in the workplace and its unintended consequences. 

While honesty is a good thing, brutal honesty often becomes an excuse for those with power to verbally abuse others. It creates a culture of control and fear rather than a culture of connection. Instead of brutal honesty, encourage honesty combined with respect. This approach increases the likelihood of critical information making its way up the chain to decision makers.

Listen to the full interview for more on this topic, what to do if you find yourself in a brutal workplace, and thoughts on what’s driving the Great Resignation.

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I’ve shared my thoughts about the importance of emotional compensation several times on the blog this year. It’s one of the strategies firms can use to create an environment where employees truly want to be – an essential asset during the “Great Resignation.”

TD Magazine highlighted my thoughts in the new October issue. If you want to dive deeper, you can check out my full article on the topic.

What strategies are you using to boost emotional compensation?

Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash

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