Build Connection & End Workplace Loneliness in 2025
Combat workplace loneliness with The Perk's CLEAR Leadership Model to foster trust, belonging, & meaningful workplace connections.
The following is an excerpt from our January 2025 issue of Hey Leader.
Hey Leader, crafted with thought & care by The Perk, is a monthly email series all with the intention to help you lead better. You belong here!
Hey, Leader —
Right before the holiday break, I had a conversation that got me thinking. We were discussing what makes work meaningful & they shared something that I can’t stop thinking about:
“You know what’s funny?” they said. “I can feel lonely in a room full of people at work, but completely connected when I’m having a one-on-one conversation with someone on my team.”
That hit home. Because in all of the chatter about workplace loneliness, I think we’re missing the bigger point. It’s not being physically alone that makes people feel lonely - it’s the fact that they don’t feel seen, heard, & valued.
One of my favorite quotes comes courtesy of the one & only Oprah Winfrey: "Every single person you ever meet shares this common desire: Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say mean anything to you?"
So, when I saw that Harvard Business Review was tackling the loneliness conversation a few months ago—a conversation that’s been going on ever since remote work became more of a thing—it confirmed what I (& many of the people I’ve talked to about this topic) know intuitively: that we need to figure out how to enhance our “connection quality.” With our teams, with our peers & with our fellow leaders.
But here’s where it gets interesting. While the article does a great job explaining why workplace loneliness is such a pressing issue, what I was wishing the article would have covered is that it’s not just about creating the right “social architecture” in our companies. It’s about equipping people with the skills to build genuine trust & connection when they’re in those spaces.
Then I thought, “Instead of wishing, why don’t you write your next newsletter about it?” And here we are. 😎
The good news is that as leaders, we have so much opportunity to create that kind of genuine connection. The better news: It’s easier than you think—because so often, you can add it to the things you’re already doing.
This is where the CLEAR Leadership Model comes in - THESE are the skills you use to build trust & strengthen connection in each & every interaction you have. The five behavioral elements of the model—Curiosity, Listening, setting Expectations, promoting a culture of “Yes, AND,” & Recognition—can be added to the leadership practices you’re already doing. Because I’m a firm believer that the solution to workplace loneliness isn’t about adding more—more meetings, more happy hours, more team activities (although all those things can be great…at least, the last two!). It’s about being intentional with the interactions that already take place.
It’s about turning the weekly check-in into a space where people feel comfortable sharing what’s really on their mind, or taking those first 10 minutes of a meeting to connect. As humans first—then as coworkers.
I have a goal for all of us this year. Let’s make 2025 the year we squash loneliness at our companies. If you’re in, there are a few ways you can get started:
Read on for some #PerkProTips on simple ways to foster connection. Many of these are things we either use ourselves at The Perk or teach to our clients!
Join us for our January Culture Community on Thursday, January 23. This month’s event is all about setting goals that are in alignment with our values & purpose—& if feeling connected is important to you, let’s take action to create that feeling! Plus if you yourself are feeling disconnected, this is a great group to be a part of for instant connection!
Schedule a call to learn about the CLEAR Leadership Model, & see if it might be the right investment for your team this year.
The 5 CLEAR behaviors are how you build trust & connection when in conversation with another person. So if you want to be a loneliness crusader, & make sure everyone on your team feels a sense of connection & belonging, make sure to be genuinely & authentically curious with them. Eliminate distractions & give them the gift of your full attention. Be a non-judgemental, safe space for them to openly share their ideas, concerns, & wins. Set clear expectations, & when they’re not met, give them feedback because you believe in them & want them to be successful. Recognize & celebrate them for who they are, what they accomplish, & the progress they’re making towards their goals.
We spend so much of our lives at work. Let’s commit to creating environments where people are seen, heard & mean something to one another, okay? Okay. 🤗
Five Strategies to Intentionally Build Connection
We read books. We listened to podcasts. We nerded out on data. And now we're here to tell you all about it.
Find out about the important things going on in your employees’ lives—& then continue to ask about them! That last part is important. Did a team member share they’re training for their first half marathon? Ask about their training! Is a team member an artist when they’re not at work? Ask them what they’ve been working on.
Have time dedicated within team meetings for straight chit chat. For example, we start our weekly meetings at The Perk with “Confetti” where everyone gets the chance to share 1) One thing they’re celebrating in their personal or work life & 2) One person on the team they want to “throw confetti for.”
Take time in 1:1’s to focus on connection & ask questions. We wrote an entire blog on ways to design your 1:1’s for maximum connection AND results, and in it, we talk about how the first 10% of the meeting time is purely for connection. Head here if you need some prompts for questions to ask!
Consider other ways to connect. One of our favorites—especially being a 100% remote team—is to leave a voice memo. Tone & specificity is such a huge part of creating connection, so try using the FBI Model (Feelings, Behavior, Impact) when you’re leaving these messages!
Gamify your connection! Make a list of five people on your team & connect with them for 10 minutes each in the next two weeks. Keep track of your conversations: What did you learn? How did it feel? These don’t have to be long conversations & the ripple effect is huge!
What's The Perk saying?
Our media selections this month are all about connection & engagement!
4 min read
5 min read
68 min watch
What's our community saying?
We’re always soaking in the latest news & insights on culture, organizational development, & leadership. This month’s resources highlight the importance of fostering meaningful connections at work, addressing workplace loneliness, & exploring strategies for building a sense of belonging & community.
4 min watch
Mark T. Rivera | The Way We Work, a TED series
47 min listen
Simon Sinek | A Bit of Optimism Podcast
8 min read
Constance Noonan Hadley & Sarah L. Wright | Harvard Business Review
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