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The secret to a happy professional life? Social links: here’s how to create them
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The secret to a happy professional life? Social links: here’s how to create them

As we head into winter with shorter days and colder nights, the daily grind can be especially taxing. As the loneliness epidemic continues, you might need a boost at work to get you through the holidays.

New research from HP Labor Relations Index found that only 28% of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work, a figure that has barely improved since last year. But there’s a secret: work can have a positive impact on your life, beyond the salary. If you’re looking for a happier professional life, the key lies in your work relationships.

Headspace’s 2024 Workforce State of Mind report finds that 53% of employees say work has helped them find a community of people with similar backgrounds or experiences and 44% say it has helped them make connections and feel less alone.

“While work can be a driving force of stress in our lives, impacting our happiness, these findings also show that work can also be a source of support and connection: two crucial pillars of happiness,” Jenna Glover , Ph.D. and clinical director at Headspace, tells me.

So, in a time where loneliness is everywhere and connections can seem superficial, how can you build stronger, more authentic connections at work?

The realities of work-related stress

It’s no surprise that for most workers, work is a major source of stress, especially in an era of economic hardship, stagnant wages, limited advancement opportunities, and a cost-of-living crisis. What is less clear is the real impact of stress on mental health, which has serious consequences for overall well-being.

“Data shows that 40% of employees reported that work-related stress contributed to serious mental health issues, including substance use or even suicidal ideation,” Glover said. “Additionally, 78% say work stress has had a negative impact on their physical health and 76% say it has led to the end of a personal relationship. With around a third of our waking hours dominated by work, it’s no surprise that our work environments can affect us on so many levels,” she said.

Especially today, stress at work is no longer just an occupational risk: it has a detrimental effect on your physical and mental health. But the opposite is also true: work can also increase your happiness and improve your well-being – if you know how to do it.

The power of social connection at work

By reducing isolation and promoting connections at work, social connections formed at work can act as a shield against stress and even improve your overall well-being. As human beings, we crave connection and a sense of belonging, and because we devote so much of our time and energy to our work, the workplace is an important setting for creating social ties.

“Being able to form meaningful relationships is important, not only for professional success, but also for our well-being and happiness, both inside and outside of the workplace,” Ellie Turner tells me Coughlin, connections expert and TEDx speaker. “Better relationships not only help us improve communication, collaboration, recognition and professional development, but they also have a hugely positive impact on our job satisfaction, confidence and well-being. »

If you are skeptical about making friends at work and prefer to separate your personal life from your professional life, in addition to the health benefits, it is worth considering that neglecting the establishment of trusting relationships at work can hinder your professional growth and lead to feelings of isolation and even disengagement with your work. And you can start small.

“Workers don’t need to have a lot of connections, but even a few stronger work relationships can help support you. It’s about finding the ways to communicate that feel most natural to you,” Coughlin said.

How to build trusting relationships at work

For introverted, socially shy and remote workers, as well as employees who are at work solely to do their job and clock out, Coughlin shared her advice on ways to make meaningful connections at work.

1. Start with why. Spend some time thinking about who you want to connect with and whether you’re looking for more support, mentoring, exposure, or professional growth.

2. Get involved. Join groups like employee resource groups, mentoring programs, or interest groups to make connections online and offline, without having to contact someone directly.

3. Keep it real. Find a way to connect that feels authentic to you. If events seem intimidating, suggest a virtual coffee chat or send someone a resource they might find helpful.

4. Give more than you receive. The strongest relationships are built on reciprocity, so think about how you can help others. Make presentations, offer help, share things they might find useful, and praise others in group chats or on LinkedIn.

5. Connect with connectors. You don’t need to become a super-connector – just try connecting with one. Connecting with someone who knows a lot of people is a great way to get involved in what they do, build your network, and increase your visibility without having to make a lot of direct connections yourself. If there is someone you want to meet but don’t want to contact directly, try contacting someone who already knows them and can make the introduction for you.

6. Go beyond the surface: To build strong working relationships, it’s not necessary to just talk about work. Be curious, ask questions, and show interest to find points of connection and bonding around shared values ​​or lived experiences.

Coughlin also shared ways employers and managers can foster authentic connections and community for their employees.

1. Create employee resource groups to facilitate connection between groups of people with shared interests or experiences and allow your employees to connect outside of their usual work roles.

2. Make room for connection through internal mentoring programs, social events, coffee meetings and cross-department collaboration opportunities.

3. Encourage flexibility enabling employees to connect at work in the unique way that works for them. Some people prefer to socialize over lunch at the office, others enjoy after-work activities, and still others prefer to engage online in small groups. Make it easy for everyone to connect.