Feeling Disconnected? 11 Strategies to Improve Connection in the Workplace

To build deeper connections with coworkers, foster open communication, participate in team-building activities, and celebrate personal and professional milestones. Small, consistent efforts help nurture workplace relationships and improve engagement.

Think back to the best job you ever had. Sure, maybe the pay was great, but that wasn’t the only thing that made it memorable. It was the energy of the workplace, the way leadership valued employees, and the connections between people, right?

But in today’s fast-paced work environments, and with the rise of remote work, maintaining high-quality connections at work can be challenging. So, how do you improve connection in the workplace?

From communication strategies to social events, here are 11 effective ways to create a more connected workplace and build stronger relationships among employees.

1. Foster Open Communication

If you’re looking for how to improve satisfaction and connection in the workplace, start with open communication. 

A workplace thrives when employees feel heard. When people trust that their voices matter, they are more likely to contribute ideas, engage in problem-solving, and feel a genuine connection to their work. On the other hand, poor communication makes your team frustrated and may slow down your productivity. 

Creating an open communication culture means going beyond formal meetings. Regular check-ins give employees a space to discuss challenges, while an open-door policy reassures them that leadership is approachable and receptive.

Digital tools make it easier for both in-office and remote employees to share ideas in real-time, ensuring seamless collaboration no matter where they are.

By making communication transparent and accessible, businesses cultivate a work environment where employees don’t just work together—they feel connected and valued.

2. Encourage Team Building Activities

The best teams don’t just work together: they connect. Team-building activities are one of the most effective ways to improve employee connections in the workplace, creating trust, collaboration, and emotional proximity.

To improve workplace relationships, consider organizing engaging activities that build team connection. Office trivia, escape rooms, or collaborative problem-solving games help employees bond outside of daily tasks. 

For remote team connection, digital escape rooms, virtual happy hours, or icebreaker activities can help bridge the gap and promote collaboration across locations. The more employees feel connected, the more likely they are to communicate effectively and support one another.

Read more: 30 Unique Employee Appreciation Day Ideas

3. Regularly Celebrate Personal and Professional Wins

Workplace connection strategies should always include recognition. According to a survey by LinkedIn, people who feel valued and appreciated are 63% more likely to stay at their job and report higher workplace satisfaction. 

Beyond productivity, fostering employee relationship building through recognition enhances workplace morale and contributes to emotional proximity among colleagues.

Creating a culture of celebration doesn’t require grand gestures. Small, consistent efforts allow employees to recognize each other’s accomplishments in real time. Public shoutouts for birthdays, promotions, and completed projects reinforce employee appreciation and make team members feel seen. 

4. Embrace Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is the reality of the modern workplace. Companies that foster human connection at work by embracing diversity and inclusion aren’t just following a trend; they’re aligning with the way the world truly operates. 

When employees see their backgrounds, identities, and perspectives valued, they feel a genuine sense of belonging. This leads to stronger workplace relationships, higher engagement, and better collaboration.

Respecting diversity goes beyond ethnicity and culture. It means recognizing different personalities, abilities, communication skills and ways of thinking. Many companies lose top talent by overlooking neurodiversity, failing to provide an environment where all employees can thrive.

To build connection in the workplace, create mentorship programs that uplift underrepresented employees, offer unconscious bias training to foster awareness, and celebrate cultural diversity through team events. Most importantly, ensure your hiring practices promote equal opportunities at every level.

5. Provide Opportunities for Professional Development

No, training your employees doesn’t mean they’ll take their skills and run to the competition the next day. In reality, the opposite is true.

Employees are far more likely to stay in a company where they see opportunities for growth. A LinkedIn Workplace Report found that 94% of employees would stay longer at a company that invests in their career development.

You can’t control everyone’s career path, but you can create an environment where they want to stay. To improve employee connections in the workplace, offer continuous learning opportunities.

Mentorship programs create high-quality connections at work by pairing junior employees with seasoned professionals who can offer guidance and support. Hosting lunch and learn sessions provides a casual space where colleagues can share knowledge, collaborate, and grow together.

6. Create a Safe Space for Feedback

Imagine working in an environment where you have valuable ideas but feel hesitant to speak up. Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common, and it’s a major barrier to employee connectivity and engagement.

The truth is, feedback is a two-way street. Employees need to feel safe sharing their thoughts, and leaders need to be open to listening. When employees feel empowered to express concerns, share ideas, and offer solutions, they become more invested in the success of the organization.

Start by encouraging anonymous feedback surveys, where employees can voice their opinions without hesitation. Hold open-forum meetings where leadership actively listens and responds constructively. 

And don’t forget to train managers in giving and receiving feedback effectively—critiques should always be productive, solutions-focused, and never punitive.

7. Recognize Employee Contributions

Recognition isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s a necessary part of strong workplace connections.

People want to feel valued for their work, and when they don’t, they disengage. In fact, a staggering 79% of employees quit their jobs due to a lack of appreciation. 

On the flip side, regular recognition fosters engagement, strengthens team bonds, and promotes long-term loyalty.

Introduce peer-to-peer recognition programs, where colleagues can shout out each other’s contributions. This not only spreads positivity but also encourages teamwork and mutual respect.

8. Provide Social Events for Employees

A connected team doesn’t just bond over work tasks. Socializing outside of work boosts morale, and creates a sense of emotional closeness among employees.

Organize workplace social events that fit seamlessly into the workday, like team lunches or quick office games. These small but meaningful moments can spark conversations without disrupting productivity.

You can also host happy hours or game nights to create a relaxed atmosphere where employees ca get to know each other on a personal level.

And don’t forget about your remote teams! Virtual team-building activities like online escape rooms or even casual coffee chats can help bridge the distance. Another creative idea is a monthly “lunch roulette,” where employees are randomly paired for lunch—either in person or virtually.

This simple activities introduce colleagues who might not interact regularly, breaking down silos.

9. Celebrate Milestones

When employees’ hard work and dedication go unnoticed, engagement drops. Recognizing work anniversaries, promotions, and company milestones keeps employees engaged and reinforces their emotional connection to the organization. 

Create personalized milestone celebrations with thoughtful touches like handwritten notes, small gifts, or company-wide shoutouts. Mark major achievements—such as the completion of a challenging project—with team lunches or celebratory events.

If possible, showcase milestones on a company timeline, visually highlighting key moments in both employee and organizational success. This consistent recognition makes employees feel that their contributions truly matter.

10. Listen to Your Employees

When employees feel unheard, they disengage. It’s as simple as that. But when leadership prioritizes listening—and, more importantly, acts on feedback—it can have a transformative impact.

The real magic happens when you take action. Whether it’s implementing new policies, adjusting workflows, or addressing concerns in an open forum, following up on feedback shows employees that their voices matter. When employees see their input driving real change, they feel more connected, valued, and invested in the success of the organization.

Listening isn’t just a leadership skill—it’s a powerful tool for building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating a workplace where everyone feels heard.

11. Communicate Clearly and Transparently

Communication is the backbone of employee connectivity. When leaders communicate openly, employees feel more aligned, informed, and engaged. In fact, employees feel more engaged when leadership is transparent.

(After all, it’s a lot easier to work if you know how you’ve been performing and what is expected from you moving forward.)

Host regular meetings where leadership answers questions directly, providing clarity and reinforcing trust. These gatherings not only strengthen team bonds but also enhance workplace culture by ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Read More: Employee Benefits Explained: Types, Examples, and Trends

Building Sustainable Connections is a Continuous Work

The strongest workplace connections don’t happen by chance. They are built through daily interactions, intentional efforts, and a leadership team that prioritizes human connection. Just like any relationship, workplace bonds require nurturing.

Creating a more connected workplace doesn’t mean making drastic changes overnight. Small, consistent actions lay the foundation for a workplace where people feel valued and engaged.

Start with one or two strategies, listen to employee feedback, and refine your approach over time. When connection becomes part of your company culture, your employees will feel the difference—not just in how they work, but in how they thrive.

Want to know more about ​how to improve connection in the workplace​? Explore more ways to foster employee connection at work and create a positive company culture on Picnic’s Blog!