 Loneliness at work isn’t just a wellness issue. It’s a business threat — and it’s costing companies up to $300 billion a year! On a national survey of 2,000 employed Americans, Inc.com uncovered some startling statistics:
But here’s what really matters to employers:
This isn’t just about feelings. It’s about retention, productivity, and the health of your workforce. What Can Employers Do? Here are 3 strategies companies are using to fight back:
Loneliness is no longer a silent struggle. It’s a loud signal that your culture needs attention — and the smartest companies are already listening! Have you felt lonely at work, and if so, what effect did it have on you? What do you think could be done to improve your situation? To join the conversation, click on "Comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.
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 When leaders become the go-to fixer, they break something bigger: Team trust, ownership, and momentum...
Being supportive is great — but trying to fix everything yourself? That’s a fast track to burnout. When you jump in to solve your team’s problems, you end up clogging decision-making, taking ownership away from your team, and wearing yourself out. But there’s a better way. Leaders who involve their teams in solving problems together build stronger, more engaged teams — and they don’t have to carry the whole load alone. In the Harvard Business Review, Elizabeth Lotardo, a leadership coach and author, suggests five simple questions leaders can ask to stay supportive without becoming the go-to fixer:
These questions aren’t just conversation starters — they’re tools to build confidence, clarity, and collaboration. Are you a reflexive problem-solver, and how can you see the value in giving people the space to work things out themselves? To join the conversation, click "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  Have you ever noticed that some connections just click — no effort, no awkwardness, just instant ease? Here's how to make that happen more often...
When we meet someone and feel an instant connection, we often attribute it to our similarities. But according to behavioral scientists, Dr. Maya Rossignac- Milon and Dr. Erica Boothby, research shows that many of the strongest bonds come less from existing similarity and more from riffing playfully. In these moments, people create a little world that belongs just to them, a process we call “building a shared reality.” Collaborative riffs are surprisingly central to our mental well-being, say the authors. They’re the glue that binds us, adds pizazz to our lives and gives us a sense of feeling understood. Sadly, our culture’s conversational rituals revolve not around playful co-creation but around exchanging formalities. For example, the small talk classic: “How was your weekend?” mandates you reply succinctly and volley the question back. The conversation proceeds predictably, and although both parties walk away with some trivial information, they remain worlds apart. Although we think having such conversations is playing it safe, they result in disconnection. Instead, if these people strayed from the script and riffed off each other, they might begin to feel that buzz of being in sync. “How was your weekend?” “Good, but I spent way too much time watching parakeets dancing on TikTok.” “Whoa, like … in rhythm?” “Yes! This one guy was the Fred Astaire of parakeets.” The authors’ research shows that this sort of riffing pays off. But don’t worry, riffing doesn’t require being naturally witty. It just means embracing spontaneity and, like any conversational skill, it takes practice. Can you recall an initial conversation that sparked a deep friendship? What effect did it have on you? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  Hybrid work isn’t just a location shift — it’s a mindset shift. The most successful leaders are the ones who set clear expectations, build connection intentionally, and make communication a daily habit.
Hybrid work is becoming more and more of a norm. And the old playbook of managing employees may not work anymore. The Harvard Business Review offers a series of tips to address the new paradigm.
Are you working in hybrid mode, and what tips can you offer? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  Curious why some leaders inspire loyalty while others struggle to connect? Discover the subtle power that turns teams into communities — and why your next conversation could change everything!
In January 2025, Gallup found employee engagement hit its lowest point in a decade. One data point says only 39% of employees strongly agreed that someone at work cares for them as a person. And findings from the human capital management firm Workhuman show 30% feel “invisible.” Feeling unnoticed is antithetical to engagement and satisfaction at work. Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Zach Mercurio, author of The Power of Mattering, offers advice for leaders who need to be better noticers:
Do you feel noticed at work, and do you make an effort to make those around you feel acknowledged? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  Ever find yourself wishing conversations made more sense? Here’s the twist: Logic alone rarely works. But analogy? That’s a game-changer.
“Life is like a box of chocolates.” “Like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.” “Like putting lipstick on a pig.” Analogy turns abstract into obvious. It gives shape to fuzzy concepts, making them feel familiar. It connects emotion to reason. So instead of pushing someone to “just understand,” you guide them with comparison, clarity, and context. Jesper Sorenson, of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, says, “An analogy very quickly gives people a way of structuring their thinking around an otherwise vague idea.” He and his colleague Glenn Carroll teach MBA students to employ analogies in their presentations because they “are more intuitive than other forms of logical reasoning.” They point out that it is hard to inspire action around a vague, generalized idea. But analogy is a tool that can help people conceptualize in a more concrete manner. Want to craft a great analogy? Here’s a quick two-step process: 1️. Know Your Destination: What point are you trying to make?
2️. Make it a team sport: Gather your crew and brainstorm comparisons together. The more playful the session, the better the ideas. You might land on something iconic — like Steve Jobs calling the iPod “a thousand songs in your pocket.” When it clicks, it sticks. Do you have a favorite analogy and how have you employed it? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  Kindness is quietly going viral in workplaces — and it’s transforming everything...
Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki has explored a fascinating concept he calls “positive conformity.” Through his research, he discovered that “participants who believed others were more generous became more generous themselves.” Simply put, kindness is contagious — it can ripple through people and even evolve into new expressions along the way. Bill Taylor, co-founder of Fast Company, shared his thoughts on this idea. He argues that Zaki’s insight, while crucial for improving society, also has transformative potential for companies. Instead of issuing kindness as a “directive,” Taylor suggests treating it like a contagion by creating environments where everyone naturally “catches” it. One inspiring example comes from the customer service transformation at Mercedes-Benz USA under the leadership of Stephen Cannon, their President and CEO. Cannon recognized that every customer interaction boiled down to a personal encounter — moments where employees could either create unforgettable experiences or deliver a standard, uninspired service. To shift the culture, he championed a grassroots movement to empower employees to go above and beyond for customers. Here are just two stories that highlight this transformation:
These moments weren't mandated from the top; they bubbled up from empowered employees who embraced a culture of care. As Taylor eloquently puts it, “You can’t order people to be kind, but you can spark a kindness contagion.” Now, we’d love to hear from you. Have you witnessed an act of kindness within your organization that inspired others to follow? Share your story by clicking on "comments" below. And if you’re interested in deepening your skills around high-impact communication, don’t miss our online learning programs — they’re designed to help you create habits that make a difference.  A great story is not just heard; it’s felt. Stories can persuade, convince, and convert. Here are 4 ways to move people to action through storytelling…
Stories do more than entertain — they persuade. And many successful leaders and entrepreneurs use stories to turn words into impact. For some guidance when it comes to spinning a tale, Will Storrs, journalist and author of A Story is a Deal, shares four storytelling techniques to drive results.
When is the last time you were motivated to action by a story? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  The responsibility for turning feedback into growth for you and your team falls on you, even when that guidance is vague and unclear…
Vague feedback (“You need to be more strategic” or “You need to improve your communication”) is not only annoying but difficult to act on. Without specifics or concrete examples, you’re left guessing what success looks like and at a loss for what changes to make. For multiple reasons, you cannot afford to let vague feedback stand. Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Melody Wilding, executive coach and author of Managing Up, says “The lack of clarity trickles down to affect your team’s priorities, slows decision-making, and creates confusion across the organization.” Here are 3 things you can do to manage the vague feedback you receive:
Do you think the feedback you get is specific enough, and, if not, what are you doing about it? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  The road to less arguing and better problem solving starts with asking one simple question…
Have you ever tried to change the mind of someone you disagree with? Good luck! And yet, psychologists say that remembering one simple question is the first step on the road to less hostility and more productive dialogue. Finding common ground may seem unlikely, especially in times like these. But it all begins with listening. Then, for the sake of initially engaging your partner, forget about facts. Regardless of their veracity, reciting a list of studies and statistics will likely just raise defensiveness. Beating people over the head with evidence that proves they’re wrong, only makes them more likely to insist they’re right. “People generally put their affiliation with their group and their sense of themselves as a competent and good person ahead of rationality,” writes Jessica Stillman in INC. Yelling doesn’t work either. Stridency might make you feel relief in the moment, but it almost always backfires and hardens other peoples’ beliefs. So, what’s left? Asking the “magic question.” According to science writer David Robson, author of the 2024 book, The Laws of Connection, you need to convince people of your good intentions for the conversation. Ask them: Can you tell me more about how you came to think that?” Is this enough to have someone do a 180-degree opinion turn? No. But, it is a start. You cannot change anyone’s mind if you don’t convince them you are open to understanding them. Have you ever tried to change someone’s mind about a deeply held belief? How did that turn out? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  Coaching goes beyond feedback — it builds confident, creative problem-solvers who take initiative and tackle challenges head-on. Choose among these 4 approaches to unlock potential and drive innovation…
Effective coaching is all about balance — knowing when to guide and when to step back. In the Harvard Business Review, Ruchira Chaudhary of TrueNorth Consulting, outlines four key coaching styles within a "push" and "pull" framework. Your choice depends on your expertise, the task at hand, and the experience level of the person you're coaching.
Which coaching style do you employ most? How might you expand your approach to coaching? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  Have you ever used the silent treatment? This “noisy” silence can destroy relationships — and there is a better way…
The silent treatment is intentionally refusing to communicate with someone. Writing in the New York Times, Jane Dunn canvassed experts as to its repercussions. Kipling Williams, emeritus professor of psychological sciences at Purdue University has studied the effects of the silent treatment for over 30 years. He and others refer to its use as “noisy silence” because the point is to demonstrate to the other person that they are actively being ignored. It might even include tactics like leaving the room when they enter — perhaps adding a door slam! Using the silent treatment can feel powerful in the moment, because it makes the other person uncomfortable. But, despite its common use, it can have long-term consequences in a relationship. Dr. Gail Saltz, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, says, “The silent treatment is a punishment, whether you are acknowledging that to yourself or not.” That can destroy trust and fail to solve the actual problem. So what works better?
Have you ever given or received the silent treatment, and how did the episode resolve? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  Framing things positively has enormous advantages… and there is one negative word you should consider banishing for good…
If you ask someone at Disney what time the park closes, they don’t exactly tell you. What they say is that “the park is open until 10 PM.” This is an example of what Debra Jasper, CEO of Mindset Digital, refers to as “positive priming.” And she thinks it should be applied to virtually every interaction. “Start with what you can do, not what you can’t,” she advises. If a client asks if you can meet at 2 PM Tuesday, they do not care or want to hear that you are busy. Instead counter with when you can meet: “I can make Wednesday morning work.” Or, instead of saying, “I can’t get that to you until Friday,” try, “I can get that to you on Friday.” Above all, Jasper says, there is a word you might want to banish from your vocabulary. That word is unfortunately. If you look up synonyms for “unfortunate” you get words like “grievous”, “dreadful”, and “disagreeable.” Is this really the tone you want to set? The next time you are tempted to begin a communication with “Unfortunately, I can’t…”, pause and rethink. How can you frame this communication positively? Hint: Start with the words, “I can.” How often do you find yourself using the word “unfortunately” and what could be your substitute? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. We'd love to hear from you! Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  Regardless of whether the word “writer” is in your job title, we are all writers—creating email, cover letters, reports, speeches, blogs, newsletters. Here are four tips to help you do it much better…
It’s easy to feel frustrated by the writing process, but it's also easy to boost your skills through some simple practices. Mastering the art of writing will help you be persuasive and prompt others to view you as smarter and more insightful. Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Samantha Amber, author and host of the podcast How I Write, offers these tips:
What do you have on deck to write next, and which of these tips might help you most? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022.  When it comes to staying healthy, science shows that social connection is as important as diet and exercise…
The Harvard Study of Adult Development has been minutely tracking the lives of some 724 original participants (and some of their descendants) since 1938. One of its biggest takeaways is that the greatest predictor of health and happiness isn’t a factor like cholesterol levels or blood pressure. It is the strength of a person’s social ties. But social fitness, one of the study’s directors said, is just like physical fitness: You must work at it. Harvard-trained social scientist and author Kasey Killam has a framework for doing so, calling it the 5-3-1 rule. At a minimum:
Of course, these research-based guidelines can be flexed, depending on circumstances like age, lifestyle, and physical limitations. However, the 5-3-1 rule makes for a great baseline. Offering some helpful tips to get started, Killam suggests putting some friendships on auto-pilot with a weekly or monthly dinner, walk, or other activity. You can also put a post-it on your bathroom mirror reminding you to reach out to someone. You can volunteer in your community, or commit to a set number of 10-minute phone calls each week. These strategies can help you create new habits that, in time, will become self-reinforcing. Are you getting your 5-3-1 in, and, if not, how can you create a new habit to do so? To join the conversation, click on "comments" below. Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022. |
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