Manager Tips: Building Strong Connections

The importance of building strong connections in the workplace should not be underestimated. Studies show that close bonds at work lead to higher performance, enhance well-being and improve work satisfaction by 50%. As those connections deepen, employee engagement also increases. Managers play an important role in building and helping employees build deeper team connections. Although building connections can take time, here are 5 actions you can take to begin fostering deeper connections with your team members.

1. Provide opportunities for your team to have fun (outside of work)
   Bring your team together to solve a complex problem outside of a work context. If your team is working virtually, try an icebreaker app such as Icebreakers for iPhone, or Wealthy Walrus for iPhone or Android, or QuizBreaker, a fun and engaging trivia app. Team building is a great way for your team to build critical skills, such as decision-making, critical thinking, and communication, while having fun in a non-threatening environment.
2. Take a moment to be vulnerable
   Be courageous by sharing a personal experience of a lesson you learned through failure, don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” when your team asks you a question or share something that brings you joy in your personal life and watch your team follow suit. While it may be uncomfortable, being vulnerable and authentic shows confidence, builds trust and shows employees you’re human. The result is increased innovation, collaboration and cohesion.
3. Find ways to become an ally
   Being an ally requires you to stand up and show up for your team members, your peers and other colleagues. Allies promote and advance a culture of inclusion and belonging. Show empathy, recognize your blind spots (things you may not understand about certain groups), listen and learn from people who are from different backgrounds than your own and speak up for people/groups who may feel marginalized. Having an ally has been shown to increase trust, organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Find out how and when to be an ally here.
4. Give and receive feedback
   Having an open-door policy is a critical component of building a strong connections with your team. While it’s important to give your team frequent feedback on their performance, it’s equally as important to request feedback on your own performance, the performance and behaviors of other team members and even how they’re feeling about their work. It’s important that you not only request feedback but create a safe space for team members to provide their feedback and find ways to reward them for doing so.
5. Don’t count your communications – make your communications count
   There is no such thing as overcommunication. Leadership and communication are synonymous. Whether you’re communicating business updates, team wins, individual accomplishments, or appreciation for the team, communicate early and often. Remember that authenticity is key to building trust and forming deeper connections with your team – be sure to communicate transparently.

Learn more about how you can build strong team connections with this Manager Guide.