The Values of Connection & Compassion at Work

Social coping is a way to express ourselves through interaction. When engaging the human need for emotional connection and reflection, we create a compassionate bond.  

With the rising anxiety about flexibility, autonomy, and adaptation in heading back to the office, conversations around work and life are sure to be emotional. Each person has survived the overwhelming pandemic experience of the past 15 months in different psychological and physiological ways. 

When engaging the human need for emotional connection and reflection, we create a compassionate bond. Some prefer to journal or think through their experiences privately and that deserves to be respected. For other personalities, the sharing of interpersonal stories helps them to process the feelings of loss, isolation, and ambiguity. 

Social coping is a way to express ourselves through interaction. According to research, this type of deeper dialogue with others may provide meaningful reappraisal of the lasting effects. To reduce and regulate negative emotions, we try to increase positive ones. This personal tendency to pursue supportive relationships in response to emotional events contributes to social and individual well-being.

Confiding in another human being about our pain and uncertainty is scary. It is a highly vulnerable position. Feeling heard, validated, and recognized depends on how the other person responds. If he/she responds negatively, we may remain silent and not seek emotional support again. Perhaps, we are the one seeing someone else’s suffering and wondering if we should say something? There are gentle and sincere ways to ask how someone is doing. With most of us working remotely, sending a brief message or note is not difficult. While that person may not want to discuss it, another might appreciate an opportunity to share the struggle he has been trying to mask at work. Or, perhaps, just knowing that she was “seen” with concern and kindness, instead of judgement, can build a bridge. 

As so many are still deeply grieving, acknowledgment of human experience with empathy, understanding, and perspective-taking may provide relatedness and healing for each participant in the conversation. This past year, we have had to develop emotional resources and, hopefully, a broad capacity for compassion. It takes courage to share deeply, but it is how we begin to create trust with others. Respectful engagement and sharing others’ perspectives empower and enhance meaningful associations. Awakening compassion at work is not merely an ideal, it is an imperative.

In general, the high-quality connections we create allow us to enjoy personal experiences and efforts that are purposeful and worthwhile. Positive job relationships foster teamwork, creative thinking, cooperation, loyalty, and commitment. Shared values facilitate active learning experiences that are more empowering and inclusive. The depth and improved affiliation of these work-related connections not only enhance mental and emotional health, they boost resilience and psychological safety within the company climate and culture.

Developing meaningful interactions, based on mutuality and respect, enhance individual and organizational thriving. These enhanced social dynamics are revitalizing and contribute to leadership effectiveness and a healthy workplace. However brief, these moments create resonance which allows employees to align and reflect common values with the spark of humanity.

DISCLAIMER: I have no personal or monetary connection to any of the authors, researchers, or publishers. It is just my intention to give appropriate credit and share the links to study sources for further reading.

My deepest respect and admiration to:

Jane Dutton, Maren Gube, Robert M. Rosales, MAPP, Monica Worline, and Jamil Zaki

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