The Power of Connection
The Power of Connection
With hybrid and remote work becoming the norm in today’s work culture, it’s essential to consciously make an extra effort to build meaningful connections. It’s easy to fall into a routine—working from your home office, isolated in your cubicle, disconnected from anything but your computer screen. Your daily routine can become an unconscious pattern, and you may forget one of the most important gifts we have as humans: the power of in-person connection.
Recently, I rushed out of town to attend a conference of female entrepreneurs, aspiring business leaders, and women seeking inspiration. The energy in the room was palpable. Many attendees had spent the last few years with their heads down, focused on their business or job. There was an overwhelming need for human connection, and an opportunity to be in a room full of people they didn’t know. Through a group exercise, it was astounding to discover how many people were dealing with similar challenges—stress, loss, anxiety, and successes.
The experience of sharing this in person, as opposed to over a video call, was transformative. Have you ever noticed the difference between getting to know someone over Zoom versus in person? It can be surprising how small nuances in body language and presence can reveal a different persona. That’s the power of personal connection.
Another takeaway from this conference was the importance of connecting with ourselves. I reflected on how I operate daily. Do I take time for wellness during the day, engage in self-reflection, enjoy a healthy lunch, think on a deeper level, make a connection with someone outside of business purposes, or simply breathe? The answer is, sometimes—not as much as I’d like.
In my role as a recruiter placing Executive Assistants to support CEOs, one of the most critical tasks EAs have is to protect and manage their executive’s time. Their calendars often overflow from the moment they wake up until they lay their heads down at night. What kind of “me time” or connection time do they, or you, build into their schedules? If you’re an EA, consider the influence and impact you could have on your executive’s ability to connect with themselves and others.
I recall a time while working in corporate America when a C-Level executive, during their retirement speech, stated that their only regret was not spending more time connecting with the team. They felt a profound loss because they wanted more personal connection. This sentiment was particularly striking because, from my viewpoint, this person was a connector—they knew so many so well by walking the halls and celebrating wins and people. Yet, in the end, they still craved more.
A few trends I’ve noticed:
CEOs want to be with their teams. Even if it’s just one day a week, they feel the loss of culture and connection to the heartbeat of their companies.
Some clients are choosing to meet candidates in person from the first interview, moving away from the post-COVID reliance on video calls. This less convenient but refreshing trend is a welcome change. Who remembers the eye contact and slightly awkward, sweaty handshake with a prospective employer? It’s a rite of passage that helps break the ice and establish rapport.
Meetings with clients and networking have shifted from Zoom to grabbing coffee. While it’s easy to meet over Zoom or Teams, there’s something special about trying a new coffee shop or restaurant, supporting them as they face declines due to work-from-home models.
This slow return to face-to-face interactions is a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection.
Final thoughts: As business continues to accelerate and the world becomes more virtual and disconnected, it’s vital for us to tap the brakes, take a breath, and make a conscious effort to build meaningful connections—with those we know, those we don’t, and ourselves.
Who can you connect with today? Who can you impact or help? I encourage you to challenge yourself: reach out to one person today and see what happens. Tell someone you’ve been thinking of them, spread a little joy, arrange that coffee date, or take a walk and reflect.
Let’s harness the power of connection not only for ourselves but for all the people around us who need us to make their day a little brighter.
About Diane Steele
Diane Steele is the CEO and Founder of Steele Recruiting LLC, an Executive Administrative Assistant and Chief of Staff search firm. Headquartered in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Steele Recruiting is a female-owned retained search firm specializing in the recruitment of Executive Administrative Assistants and Chiefs of Staff, supporting CEOs and Presidents across the United States. steelerecruiting.com
