2021 Report: Human Connection in the Virtual Workplace

Extending Trust and Embracing Each Other’s Humanity Are Behaviors That Deepen Human Connection Meaningfully

Since the start of the pandemic, individuals with managers who were flexible with scheduling and open to sharing personal updates and emotions were:

90%

More likely to feel more connected to their direct manager

80%

More likely to feel more connected to coworkers

60%

More likely to feel more connected to their organization

Strategies Used By Leaders To Maintain Connection

Several strategies help employees stay connected but not all are used

FREQUENCY USED
EFFECTIVENESS
  • 0
  • 10%
  • 20%
  • 30%
  • 40%
  • 50%
  • 60%
  • 70%
  • 80%
  • MORE FREQUENT EMAILS/MESSAGES
  • MORE FREQUENT USE OF VIDEOS FOR MEETINGS
  • MORE FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING
  • MORE SHARING OF PERSONAL UPDATES DURING MEETINGS
  • MORE SHARING OF FEELINGS
  • MORE FREQUENT CHECK-INS
  • SIMULATION OF UNSTRUCTURED TIME TOGETHER
Moral Leaders Enhance Human Connection

Since the start of the pandemic, respondents reporting to managers scoring high on moral leadership behaviors (compared to those scoring low) were:

3x

More likely to feel more connected to their direct manager

1.5x

More likely to feel more connected to their organization

2x

More likely to feel more empowered

The Benefits Of Moral Leadership

Respondents with high-scoring managers report feeling more empowered and connected

FEELS MORE EMPOWERED
GREATER CONNECTION TO ORGANIZATION
GREATER CONNECTION TO MANAGER
  • 0
  • 10%
  • 20%
  • 30%
  • 40%
  • 50%
  • 60%
  • 70%
  • 80%
  • 49%
  • 61%
  • 67%