From Manager of Information to Stewards of Human Connection

a jigsaw puzzle piece attached to a heart with a piece of string representing stewards of human connection

Human connection is becoming one of the most important leadership differentiators in the age of AI.AI is taking the information job. It’s handling the coordination, summaries, meeting notes, status updates, and, increasingly, the first draft of almost everything. This is the transactional work that used to consume huge portions of a leader’s week, and is … Read more

Why Workplace Friendships Aren’t Protecting Leaders from Disconnection

a blue hot air balloon above the clouds a metaphor for workplace loneliness and workplace relationships

You’ve probably heard the phrase: “It’s lonely at the top.” And while there’s truth in that idea, our latest Ally Mindset™ Profile data suggests something more nuanced, and more concerning, is happening inside today’s workplaces. Senior leaders are not necessarily alone. But many still feel profoundly disconnected. That distinction matters, because it changes everything about … Read more

Workplace Disconnection: How Leaders Rebuild Connection in Teams

workplace disconnection caused by disconnected leaders resulting in disconnected teams

Workplace disconnection is becoming one of the biggest leadership challenges facing organizations today. Your team is talking constantly. Slack messages. Zoom calls. Status updates. Meetings about the meetings. And yet people still feel disconnected at work. Leaders tell me some version of the same thing every week:“Collaboration feels harder.”“People seem checked out.”“We’re communicating more than … Read more

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

Why Human Connection Matters More in an AI World

Morag Barrett keynote speaker on human connection at work

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