How to increase workplace productivity through human connections
Looking to increase productivity? Positive relationships with your coworkers can make work something to look forward to and help you produce work you’re proud of.
At the onset of the pandemic, corporate leaders vocally worried that remote work would lead to decreased output. Years of experimenting with virtual workplaces has demonstrated the contrary. Since March 2020, 41% of respondents have increased their average number of hours worked, while only 18% have decreased their hours. Over half believe that their level of productivity has gone up. This is in large part attributed to greater flexibility to coordinate across personal and professional lives.
But the reasons behind this productivity gain go beyond flexibility — it’s also because people are connecting in more positive ways. Our Human Connection in the Virtual Workplace report found that the productivity spike is even stronger for those who have deepened their internal team member connections. Among those who say that since March 2020 they have developed or deepened relationships that make starting their workday something they look forward to, 64% report an increase in their productivity. This compares to a 36% productivity increase for those who say that they have not developed or deepened such relationships.
Further, people with deepened workplace connections are producing work they’re proud of. Among those who say that since March 2020 they have developed or deepened relationships that help them to produce work that they’re proud of, 61% report an increase in their productivity. Only 33% report an increase in their productivity if they have not deepened these relationships. From this data we learn that it is imperative that all individuals—regardless of organizational responsibilty—experience the benefits of working for and with moral leaders.
