Practicing
CONNECTING
What is Connecting?
Connecting is the energy leaders bring to building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating a sense of belonging. Leaders who practice Connecting make space for people to be known—not just for what they do, but for who they are.
They demonstrate curiosity, acknowledge others, embrace appropriate vulnerability, and pay attention when tension or disagreement emerges. They build bridges across differences rather than allowing assumptions, discomfort, or organizational silos to create distance.
Connection makes candor possible.
Why Does It Matter?
Leaders who practice Connecting recognize that trust is foundational to performance. They intentionally build relational trust and collaborate across the system, creating the emotional conditions people need to speak openly, challenge ideas, ask for help, and work through differences.
Without connection, people are more likely to protect, withdraw, make assumptions, or stay within comfortable silos. With it, teams have a stronger foundation for productive disagreement, collaboration, learning, and change.
Connection isn't separate from the work; it changes how the work gets done.
Watch This
Connection is not the natural byproduct of a meeting rhythm -- it is purposeful energy that needs to be practiced.
Read This
Why Connection and Belonging Matter at Work
Connection isn't just good for relationships. Research links a stronger sense of connection and belonging with psychological safety, engagement, collaboration and performance.
From The American Psychological Association
Creating Connection and Community at Work
The American Psychological Association explores why belonging and social support matter—and what organizations can do to intentionally foster them.
From McKinsey
Building Social Capital in the Workplace
McKinsey examines the role relationships, networks and trust play in employee engagement and organizational performance.
Practice This
Other Energies of Leadership
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![Steadying energy icon — figure balancing on a seesaw]()
Steadying
Create calm amidst complexity. Regulate your energy and help others feel grounded and focused.
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![Connecting energy icon — two figures high-fiving]()
Connecting
Build trust and alignment. Strengthen the relationships that help teams work well together.
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![Cultivating energy icon (placeholder)]()
Cultivating
Grow people over time. Give each person the conditions, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.
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![Illustration of the Exploring leadership energy, represented by a person looking through binoculars.]()
Exploring
Look ahead and imagine what’s possible. Stay curious, seek new perspectives, and discover fresh paths forward.
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