There are periods in life when we are moving at warp speed—juggling, threading the needle, trying to keep all the balls in the air. Then there are periods when things feel a little more manageable (emphasis on a little).
But here’s the thing: Work isn’t some separate thing we have to balance against “real life.” It’s part of a full life. We talk about “work-life balance” in the context of doing less work, but that misses the point. The real goal? Making sure that when we are working, it’s adding to our sense of purpose, fulfillment, and maybe even—dare I say—joy.
One challenge of fulfillment at work is loneliness. Especially if your team works remotely.
When people are lonely, they’re 107% more likely to be anxious. They’re 78% more likely to report burnout. They’re 49% more likely to be stressed.
Here’s something else that I just think is mind-blowing and so important for us to know:
One research study found that when people have two or three close friends, it’s more important to health and outcomes than diet, exercise, or drinking habits. And on par with cessation of smoking. When you have two or three close friends, it protects you from cancer, dementia, heart disease, and depression and anxiety. It contributes to your longevity, so having a few close friends is really important stuff.
As leaders, we want to do a better job of empowering our teams to have a great experience when working as part of a full life.
Tune into this episode and learn the 6 biggest contributors to loneliness at work and how to fuel fulfillment for your team.
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
Why “Work-Life Balance” Is A Misnomer. “Balance is a limiting concept. It suggests a trade-off. Instead, think about fulfillment and navigating work and life because work is part of a full life.” (Tracy Brower)
The Impact of Relationships. “When people have two or three close friends at work, it’s more important to health outcomes than diet, exercise, or drinking habits—and on par with smoking cessation.” (Tracy Brower)
Why Leadership Matters. “69% of people say their relationship with their leader is more important to their wellbeing than their relationship with their doctor or therapist.” (Tracy Brower)
The Difference Between Being Alone And Being Lonely. “The key difference between loneliness and being alone is choice.” (Tracy Brower)
On Generational Bridge-Building. “We need to talk about the ‘why’ behind in-person work: career development, mentoring opportunities, and building social capital. Different generations value different aspects of workplace connection.” (Tracy Brower)
How To Create A Good Work Experience. “Every day isn’t bonbons and butterflies. But we really can rethink the narrative and we can take action to think about how we create the conditions for a good experience ourselves.” (Tracy Brower)
Why Loneliness Is A Problem. “If you’re alone 75% of the time, you’re likely to feel that in a more negative way.” (Tracy Brower)
ABOUT DR. TRACY BROWER:
Dr. Tracy Brower is a PhD sociologist studying happiness, work-life fulfillment, and the future of work. She is the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life. She is the vice president of workplace insights with Steelcase and a senior contributor to Forbes and Fast Company. Her work has been translated into 22 languages, and you can find her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or at tracybrower.com.
RESOURCES:
- Dr. Tracy Brower LinkedIn
- Dr. Tracy Brower Facebook
- Dr. Tracy Brower Twitter
- Dr. Tracy Brower Instagram
- The Secrets to Happiness at Work Book
- Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work: A Guide for Leaders and Organizations
- Nonprofit Leadership Lab
- Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership – 2nd Edition by Joan Garry
- FREE WORKSHOP: Let’s Build the Nonprofit Board of Your Dreams!
- FREE WORKSHOP: The 5 Practices of Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders
- Music by Jukebox the Ghost
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