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

How to Recover When You’ve Damaged a Relationship at Work

an image of two halves on the left 9 wooden blocks shaped like people all misaligned representing damaged a relationship - on the right the wooden people are all aligned a repaired relationship

We all have those moments we wish we could take back, things we have said or done that have damaged a relationship at work. Sometimes, it’s dramatic—like when I slammed my laptop shut and stormed out of a leadership meeting (not my finest hour) or the stomach-churning horror of realizing you’ve sent an email containing … 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

Maintaining Professional Relationships (Even When You Don’t See Eye to Eye)

the word disagree written on a piece of yellow paper that is torn into two parts. dis and agree maintaining professional relationships

Maintaining professional relationships is crucial to your success, whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or you’ve already made it to the top. Let’s face it: sometimes working with colleagues can feel like navigating a minefield, especially when you don’t always see eye to eye. But here’s the thing—maintaining professional relationships is key to not just … Read more