# Practical strategies for building connection

- **Episode:** [139](https://agents.truthliesandwork.com/episodes/139.md) (2024-10-24)
- **Type:** interview
- **Tags:** connection-strategies, practical-tips, workplace-connection
- **Time:** 49:05–53:37 (start 2945s)
- **Listen:** [https://truthliesandwork.com/139?t=2945](https://truthliesandwork.com/139?t=2945)

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[49:05] Leanne Elliott: I have no doubt there's going to be lots of conversations spinning off from your article in Harvard Business Review. With that potential noise coming, what's the one thing that you want people to take away from your work, from your article, from the research?
[49:18] Connie Hadley: The one thing is hope. I think this is a problem that's been building, and it may seem at this point that that's just the way work is, but I want people to know it doesn't have to be this way. I mean, it really doesn't. I want people to know if you're feeling lonely, you're not alone in that. There are lots of people who are as well. They're just not talking about it. And when, if you're not lonely, but you're a manager who's worried about your people to know there's stuff you can do to help them if you do find out that people are lonely. And, you know, I would just love for everybody to just realize that this is, it's a, it really is. I know we overuse like win-win, but like it is a win-win. Like if you can help yourself and others feel less lonely at work, you're going to make people's lives better, but you're also going to make your organization more successful. Which is also good for us all in the long run. It keeps us all employed and making productive contributions to the world. So do it for yourself, do it for your colleague, and do it for your organization
[50:19] Al Elliott: Connie's research has busted so many myths about loneliness and remote work. Let's just recap, shall we? The truth is: one, loneliness cannot be solved with in-person work. Number two, teams will not solve loneliness. Number three, lonely employees. are not needier socially than others at work. It's the quiet ones you need to be actually looking out for. And loneliness— number 4, loneliness is not a personal problem, it's an organizational problem
[50:46] Leanne Elliott: Understandably, Connie's research has sparked widespread conversations across multiple platforms. Publications like Axios, NPR's Marketplace, and even the Daily Skimm have all picked up on the findings, emphasizing that feelings of loneliness at work persist no matter where employees are, whether remote, hybrid, or in office. If you want to keep up with Connie's work and follow all the commentary on her latest research, here's where to go
[51:13] Connie Hadley: The, the best place is to go to the Institute for Life at Work website. It's institutelifework.org. And, you know, we've got ways for you to communicate with us too, if you have questions about the research or want to learn more
[51:26] Al Elliott: I strongly suggest that you go to institutelifework.org right now and also go and follow Connie on LinkedIn. She's brilliant
[51:33] Leanne Elliott: That is all for today. A quick reminder, if you'd like to hear stories of how organizations big and small have built amazing workplace cultures, then every Thursday we bring you an amazing guest with a great story just like today
[51:45] Al Elliott: And if you'd like to keep up to date with the latest news and love a good Agony Aunt segment, then tune in next Tuesday where we'll bring you more of our weekly news roundup, our Hot Takes segment, which was— people are actually loving at the moment, and of course the world-famous Weekly Workplace Surgery where I put your questions to Leanne. Anything else to add before we go, Leanne?
[52:02] Leanne Elliott: Subscribe, hit that button, ring that bell, whatever it is you do on whatever platform it is that you're on. It really is the best way to support the show, to help us bring you even more awesome content and even more amazing guests like Connie Hadley from today. A huge thank you to Connie, an extraordinary psychologist, really breaking some new ground in terms of loneliness and mental health research more broadly. Just a joy to speak with her and so excited for all the success that, that she is quite rightly experiencing right now. Do go and follow her as well
[52:34] Al Elliott: Absolutely. Go follow Connie and follow us. We will see you next Tuesday
[52:38] Leanne Elliott: Bye-bye
[52:48] Al Elliott: Out there, but also because workplace lonership is a topic that's finally getting the spotlight it deserves
[52:53] Leanne Elliott: Sorry, I think you said lonely ship. Okay, the shift to work— I'm gonna do all that again. That was shite, wasn't it?
[53:03] Al Elliott: Yeah, no, it wasn't. It was just the end bit
[53:05] Leanne Elliott: After the break, we'll be finding out if being lonely No. However, Connie's research— research— seek out as much social— social— everyone listening, everyone at the back
[53:23] Al Elliott: Oh, sorry
[53:26] Leanne Elliott: Yeah, I didn't get it wrong
[53:28] Al Elliott: You're doing a bit
[53:29] Leanne Elliott: Doing a bit
[53:30] Al Elliott: I didn't know you were doing a bit. Myth number 1, loneliness cannot be solved with—
[53:36] Leanne Elliott: Well, that's the truth. That's not the myth