Recently, I finished the book My War by Andy Rooney. It was one of the books I cleaned out of my dad's den. I guess I started reading it just because of that. I kept reading My War because Rooney's stories of his World War II experience were beautifully threaded together with descriptions of the people he met and worked with when he was serving in the United States Army, as a news correspondent for the Army newspaper. Rooney truly was an appreciator of people and the relationships you form when you work together. As expected, he describes how he and his fellow members of the army faced life and death challenges. He also told about the dull duties that they spent countless hours on, forcing them to spend time together and providing ample opportunity for conversations. Those conversations resulted in tight connections. The type of personal connection that causes someone to "feel a sense of obligation to the man next to them" when they go into the face of fire.
In my work experience, I have also found when I spent time with colleagues doing the routine, as yes, sometimes dull work, bonds were formed. We would share our personal stories to help pass the time. Trust was built and friendships were formed.
In Real Life Connection
We humans have a capacity to quickly connect in a genuine way when we spend time together In Real Life (IRL). When we do, our brain releases oxytocin that combats stress and strengthens our immunities. We have more energy!
Our brains are wired like this, due to Cave Man times when we needed to stay with our pack of people for protection and food. Back then we needed other people in order to survive. Now, hundreds of years later, our brains still reward us with oxytocin when we are spend time together. On the flip side, when we are isolated our health and performance suffer. We have less energy. Our brain releases cortisol. Anxiety and depression creep in, causing us to feel lonely and our natural immunities to weaken.
Leaders,
Do the work to stay connected at work and in your personal life. When you do this you will feel better. You will also model this essential way-to-be to your team and others in your life.
Check out my easy-to-read book I wrote for you, Get GenZ into the game. It's full of stories from leaders that inspire. Plus, I provide practical advice for how to build your professional network of support and push your team members to do the same.
You can also find my AI is on my website. Feel free to ask her any questions. She has read all of my blogs and books. :-)