TIN #116 - The Great Detachment: How to Reconnect Employees Through Networking
How Networking Can Boost Employee Engagement in Your Company
Can networking improve employee engagement in your company?
I believe the answer is yes, and today, I’m explaining why teaching your employees to build deeper professional relationships can be a game-changer for your organization.
This issue takes about 4 minutes to read…
Before We Get Started:
My online course, “5 Steps To Grow Your Professional Network,” is FREE for all my newsletter subscribers. Learn the process I use everyday to grow my professional network.
Be sure to listen to this week’s podcast and check out the previous episodes of the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more networking tips and insights.
The Disconnection Problem
Over the past few weeks, I've had countless conversations with Chief HR Officers and People Leaders, and one issue keeps surfacing: disconnection.
Employees feel less connected, less civil, and less engaged at work.
This issue has only grown in our hybrid work environment, where people are either in the office part-time or working remotely.
We set up all the necessary technology for remote work—Zoom, Teams, Slack—but we missed a critical component: human connection.
Before the pandemic, those impromptu moments in the office—the casual chats in doorways, deskside discussions, and watercooler moments—helped employees connect on a personal level.
Now, with so many people working remotely, those moments have disappeared, and we haven’t replaced them with anything.
Why Relationships Matter
When employees have meaningful relationships at work, they are more likely to feel engaged.
These relationships go beyond just saying hello or working together on projects.
It's about knowing who to reach out to for help, understanding how others think, and creating a sense of camaraderie.
These connections make employees feel like they’re part of something larger.
When I worked in the office, I could walk over to someone’s desk, have a quick chat, and get to know them beyond just work tasks.
We’d talk about how things were going, what they were working on, and even little things that helped me understand them better.
These small interactions built trust and made collaboration easier.
Now, those moments are gone, and we need to be intentional about bringing them back.
You can see my full explanation of this in the video below:
The "Great Detachment"
The "Great Detachment" is a term being used to describe the increasing disconnection in today’s workplaces.
According to Gallup, 51% of employees are actively looking for a new job or browsing job boards.
Why?
Because they feel disconnected from their teams, their leaders, and the company’s mission.
When employees don’t feel a sense of connection or purpose at work, they’re more likely to leave.
Building strong internal relationships is the solution.
It’s not about throwing more technology at the problem; it’s about investing in your employees’ ability to connect, communicate, and collaborate.
This could be as simple as facilitating conversations between employees who don’t normally interact, or offering learning and development opportunities that foster social interactions.
How to Fix It: Be Intentional
To combat this growing disconnection, companies need to get intentional about building internal networks.
Here’s how you can start:
Encourage Cross-Team Conversations: Set aside time for employees to have casual conversations with colleagues outside of their immediate teams. These interactions foster collaboration and trust.
Focus on Professional Relationships: Encourage employees to develop relationships with coworkers that help them do their jobs better and grow within the company. These are the relationships that make employees want to stay.
Offer Training on Networking: It may sound odd, but many employees don’t know how to start or maintain professional conversations. Offer training on how to connect with colleagues in meaningful ways.
Why Training Your Employees On Networking Will Make Them More Engaged
Networking: The Leadership Competency of the Future
As one HR leader I spoke with recently said, internal networking and connectedness are quickly becoming essential leadership skills.
In an increasingly automated workplace, leaders who know how to build and maintain professional relationships across the organization will be the ones who thrive.
So, if you want to boost employee engagement, start by focusing on relationships.
Strong internal networks create faster collaboration, more innovation, and a culture where employees feel connected and valued.
Your Action Step for the Week
This week, I want you to do something simple but powerful.
Go have a conversation with someone in your company you don’t usually talk to.
Ask them about what they’re working on, what’s going well, and how they’ve been.
Why Networking Internally Is A Career Superpower
If you need more guidance on how to do this, I’ve got you covered in TIN #054 - Rise Above the Rest: Why Internal Networking is Your Career Superpower!
Start building those connections, one conversation at a time.
(P.S. If you'd like me to talk to your company about internal networking and engagement, reach out! I'm always happy to help.)
Before You Go…
Daniel Hallak’s amazing TedX talk If Networking Feels Gross, You’re Doing it Wrong is a must watch if networking feels awkward to you.