Connecting your workforce is something that all companies have been focusing on throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, I have an entire whiteboard filled with examples of how companies from around the world are doing it in a variety of ways.
But have we ever stopped to ask ourselves why? Why are we doing it?
Many would say that it’s to replace the ‘water cooler’ moments, which is absolutely true, but it’s so much more. In fact, social connections have been proven to improve physical health and psychological wellbeing, which means they’re right up there with eating your veggies, working out and getting a proper night’s sleep.
And that’s because according to research social connections can:
Lower the rates of anxiety and depression
Increase self-esteem
Improve trust and cooperation
Strengthen our immune system
Lead to increase chance of longevity
So how do you improve social connections and benefit from these positive impacts? Here are six tips to help you as you continue to develop and roll out social connection programs:
Tip 1 – Start with why
The first question you should ask yourself before rolling out a program to drive social connections is ‘why’ – why does my business and people want and need these connections? Is it to achieve a business objective, e.g. complete a project, is it to improve cooperation between team members, or is it just to have a bit of fun? If you start by answering this question, you’ll have a better chance of having the social connections tick the box, and achieve your objectives.
Tip 2 – Don’t do it alone
Over the years I’ve learned that some of ‘my’ best ideas are those that have come from others, which means that when it comes to coming up with ideas, I leverage the combined creativity of my entire organization. Whether it’s bringing in a committee to help you and/or conducting pulse surveys to ask your entire workforce for input, if you bring your employees into the process I promise you the results will be much better.
Tip 3 – Trial and error
Another thing I’ve learned over the years is the power of trial and error, especially when it comes to things like social connections. For example, one company I interviewed told me that at the start of the pandemic they sent every employee a jump rope, with the idea that they would do virtual jump rope sessions. What they found out was that employees actually didn’t want to jump with one another, so they quickly scrapped this idea and moved onto something else. So don’t get too precious about programs, if they work continue them, and if they don’t, move (or jump) on!
Tip 4 – Have something for everyone
Often we create programs to meet the needs of our loudest employees, those that share ideas and/or shout the loudest. And while we certainly want to meet their needs, it’s important to hear all voices and design programs around the diverse needs of our entire workforce. For example, consider those that may not be comfortable with certain activities or competitions, and find ways where they do feel comfortable and thus, can achieve the benefits of social connections.
Tip 5 – Involve families
During lockdown, many companies have invited family members into social connections for the first time. This has been beneficial in that it helps meet their social connection needs, encourages employees to participate when they may not have done so, and even improves employee engagement as family members are seeing the benefits of the employee working at the company.
Tip 6 – Have managers involved
Last, and certainly not least, is to stress the important role that managers have when it comes to social connections. The more they can get involved with the connection activities, role modelling it to others, the better chance you have of your workforce engaging. Whether it’s leading an activity or merely being a participant, encourage them to have an active role in activities as well as 1:1 social connections with their team. And if they don’t believe it’s important . . . . share with them the benefits I listed at the start of this blog.
And in case you’ve run out of ideas for social connections, let me end with a list of 21 virtual activities from my whiteboard:
Exercise Class
Pub Quiz
Happy Hour
Meditation Class
Talent Competition
Dance Party
Cooking Class
Come Dine with Me
Murder Mystery Party
Cocktail Making Class
Bake Off
Book Club
Art Class
Guess the Baby Picture
Running/walking Club
Wine Tasting Class
Pet Talent Competition
Parent’s Club
Chess Lessons
Kid’s Coloring Competition
Children’s Storytelling
About the author:
Debra Corey is a highly experienced and award-winning HR leader, world-class speaker, three-time author, consultant, and was named one of the top 101 global employee engagement influencers. She’s had a varied career, working for global companies such as Gap Inc., Merlin Entertainments and Reward Gateway, where she’s developed and delivered HR strategies in a rebellious way, pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo to truly drive employee engagement.
In 2019 Debra founded her own company, DebCo HR, where as Chief Pay It Forward Solutions Officer she’s inspiring and helping others to bring out their inner rebel and drive business change.