As we start this year, it brings me joy and hope to see us humans reorienting towards the importance of community and connection.
I’m seeing it in lots of directions…
~ In congregations of curious people heading over to Substack and Patreon
~ In relieved conversations that un-shame scrolling and exhaustion
~ Rooted in Trust and funder approaches
~ Headlining Labour’s plans for Neighbourhood Health Centres
~ In WhatsApp groups still supporting us 5 years later
~ With people saying, “Shall we… meet up?”
Perhaps you have seen, heard and felt something similar?
There are many forces at play here…
Together, through the tiredness and worry, we’re building new ways and networks after the isolating pandemic years. We’re getting a handle of antisocial media, and decentralising and challenging power structures. While the fracturing continues, there is a counter force of connection. We are orienting to what we really need – both now and in the future. We’re returning to what feels good!
We’ve all experienced it: the tiniest shift in connection can make a world of difference to our days and weeks.
So, in person, online, synchronous or asynchronous: How do you want to connect with others this year? And who are you inspired to connect with? If it appeals to think about this more, I’ve added some questions below to help explore your experience of connection at work.
Questions to supporting exploring your experience of connection at work:
- Reflecting on last year, what moment of connection did you appreciate most?
- What about this moment was important to you and what can you learn from this?
- Who do you most enjoy connecting with? What makes these connections enjoyable?
- Who are you less connected with than you’d like to be?
- What types of connection do you prefer? (think: frequency, IRL/online, size, subject/s)
- Choose an object in your room that reflects how you’d like to connect with others in the year ahead
- What would you like to start and continue doing in how you connect with others?
- What might you need to stop to let different things happen?
- What stands out to you as you reflect on connection?
- What, if anything, would you like to commit to doing after reflecting on this?
