Your Colleagues Called. They Miss You.

a line drawing of a robot colleague emerging from a computer screen high fiving a human colleague sitting at a desk representing workplace loneliness and AI

by Eric Spencer Workplace loneliness is at a crisis point. Most organizations are making it worse — accidentally. Here’s what the research says, and what to do about it. I wrote this article with the help of an AI. First time. And yes, it felt a little weird. I’m a GenX leadership consultant who has … Read more

Connect or Be Assimilated

morag barrett looking thoughtful

Let me tell you what’s quietly happening while you’re busy optimizing your workflows. Your most important career skill, the one that no algorithm can replicate, is atrophying. And most of us haven’t noticed, because the thing replacing it feels like connection. It has the shape of a connection. It’s just not the real thing. I’m talking about … Read more

The Power of Listening: 4 Steps to Stronger Work Relationships

SkyeTeam Eric Spencer, Morag Barrett, Ruby Vesely listening to each other

Want to know a secret? Listening is the key to building stronger relationships. Think about the last conversation you had with someone at work. Who were you speaking to? What were you talking about? And here’s the question that matters most: Did that conversation leave your relationship stronger, weaker, or in the same place as … Read more

The Critical Leadership Mindset Shift: Moving From Me to We

Morag Barrett writing on a whiteboard the words from me to we mindset

Have you ever noticed how some leaders effortlessly build high-performing teams while others struggle to keep their people engaged? The difference often comes down to a fundamental leadership mindset shift—moving from “me” to “we.” I know because I lived it. I first explored this critical shift from me-first to we-first thinking in my book Cultivate: … Read more

Connection at Work: Combating Loneliness and Building Relationships

a graphic of one red human shaped icon amongst a group of pale icons - connection at work

Loneliness isn’t just a personal issue anymore—it’s a public health crisis. Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, recently declared an epidemic of loneliness, which has only fueled my mission to foster connection at work. The findings Dr Murthy highlights in his report are eerily similar to the insights I’ve gathered through research for both … Read more

Workplace Connection: Why We All Need a Work Mate (And No, The Office Dog Doesn’t Count)

skyeteam workplace connection

Do you ever feel like you’re in a room full of people, drowning in a flood of virtual meetings, and yet somehow feel as connected as a printer without WiFi? You’re not alone. Loneliness at work and a lack of workplace connection is a quiet challenge that nobody talks about, undermining personal well-being and organizational … Read more

Thriving Together: 6 Ways to Nurture Workplace Relationships When You Disagree.

how to nurture workplace relationships when you don't see eye to eye

Workplace relationships and friendships—let’s face it—are crucial, yet rarely get the spotlight they deserve. In fact, they’re at the heart of the work we do at SkyeTeam and the focus of our award-winning book You, Me, We. While Eric Spencer, Ruby Vesely, and I are the champions of workplace relationships, you may be surprised that … Read more

How to Love Your Professional Relationships (In a Totally Appropriate Way)

a woman at desk with a laptop and cup of coffee - professional relationship

It’s that time of year again—hearts, flowers, and chocolates everywhere remind us to nurture our personal relationships. But what about our professional ones? Why don’t we show the same level of care to the professional relationships that fuel our work lives? Before you hit “report to HR,” don’t worry—this isn’t about that kind of love. … Read more

Friends at Work: Cultivating Connections that Count in 2025

a picture of 5 disposable coffee cups each with a smiley face drawn on them representing friends at work

Ever caught yourself mid-email, coffee in hand, cracking up over an inside joke with a colleague? That chuckle isn’t just a coffee break—it’s a cornerstone of your career health. Insights from my books Cultivate and You, Me, We reveal that friends at work aren’t just lovely to have; they’re essential for both job satisfaction and … Read more

4 Powerful Tips for Creating Meaningful Connections Fast.

meaningful connection metaphor two jigsaw pieces connected to make a heart on a blue background

If life came with a universal spoiler alert, it would be this: “You’re going to have to interact and connect with other people.” The need for meaningful connections are hard-wired into our DNA. It’s part of what makes us human. Unfortunately our research, and that from other organizations shows that our connections are splintering. Despite … Read more