How To Help Alleviate Workplace Loneliness As A Leader

Bringing employees back into the office has not automatically restored a sense of connection, as many organizations expected. Workplace loneliness is not simply about employees being physically disconnected; it reflects whether they feel included and have meaningful relationships and opportunities to contribute.

Leaders shape many of the conditions that influence those experiences, from how teams communicate to whether people have space for genuine interaction. Here, our founder Kathy Shanley and Forbes Coaches Council members to share practical ways leaders can help foster stronger connections without turning workplace belonging into a forced corporate initiative.

Invite Meaningful Conversations

Returning to the office doesn’t automatically reduce loneliness. Leaders can create the conditions that reduce it by building trust, connecting people to a shared purpose and inviting their perspectives. For example, use meetings to ask, “What’s important to you?” Help team members see how their roles connect to the work of others and what the team is trying to accomplish together. Creating connection starts with making space for these conversations. - Kathleen Shanley, Statice