Hope Employees Will Return to the Office? Start Here.

If employers hope to convince employees to return to the office after the pandemic, then fostering a connection culture will be essential writes Michael Stallard.

What Assumptions Are You Making?

The assumptions we make about others are often the source of conflict in work relationships. Mary Jo Asmus shares three common assumptions that leaders need to question.

GovExec Daily Podcast Appearance: The Utility of Breaks and Breakdowns

Michael and Katie Stallard explained the wisdom of giving yourself time for a break - or even a breakdown - in a GovExec Daily podcast interview.

TD Magazine Features Michael and Katie Stallard's Article on Innovation

Innovation is on the decline, but it doesn't have to be that way. Michael and Katie Stallard explain why in a new article published by TD magazine.

Having an Old-fashioned Nervous Breakdown Might Be a Good Thing

The term "nervous breakdown" may have fallen out of common use, but Michael and Katie Stallard write that taking a break to recharge may be what today's workers need.

Michael Stallard Appears on GovExec Daily Podcast

GovExec Daily hosted Michael Stallard for a conversation about a creative approach to engaging remote team members: bringing back show and tell.

The 4 Behaviors Guaranteed to Destroy Relationships

Avoid sabotaging work relationships...and your career...by steering clear of these four destructive behaviors, writes Randy Conley.

Michael Stallard Featured on Finding Brave Podcast

Michael Stallard joined Kathy Caprino for a candid conversation about combatting the rising stress and loneliness of the pandemic in the latest episode of the Finding Brave podcast.

Connect Your Remote Team Through Personal Knowledge

Personal knowledge can be a powerful connector, but it can be tough to help remote workers to connect. Learn two approaches for boosting engagement.

3 Common Leadership Myths About Burnout – And What to Think Instead

There are a lot of myths about burnout that get in the way of truly addressing the problem, writes Suzi McAlpine. Here's what leaders need to do instead.

Leadership: Over the Hills and Far Away

As leaders manage remote teams, it may feel like employees are "over the hills and far away." Wally Bock shares three reminders for leading in a remote environment.

Thriving Through the Ongoing Pandemic

What characteristics do people who are thriving through the pandemic have in common? Michael Lee Stallard explains.

Hear Michael Lee Stallard at These February Conferences

Michael Lee Stallard will be a keynote speaker at two virtual conferences designed for professionals in the higher education and human resources fields.

Michael Lee Stallard Featured in getAbstract Webinar

Michael Lee Stallard talked about remote work, rising stress, and the critical need for connection in a recent getAbstract webinar.

Stop Enabling the Workplace Bully

Many leaders put up with workplace bullies because the bully produces results, but that approach ultimately harms the culture of the organization reminds Paul LaRue.

The Role Connection Plays in a Democracy

Connection is what allows our society to function as "we, the people," writes Michael Lee Stallard. Here's how we can strengthen that connection in 2021.

Connection Culture Course Among LinkedIn Learning’s Most Popular

The LinkedIn Learning course on Connection Culture featuring Michael Lee Stallard is now one of the platform's most popular courses. Here's how to access it for free.

Your Purpose Doesn’t Need to be Earth-Saving

Every team needs a purpose, but don't fall into the trap of overthinking what that purpose is, reminds Wally Bock.

Ours Was One of the “Most Read” Articles on SmartBrief

SmartBrief's top articles of 2020 included a piece written by Connection Culture Group's Michael and Katie Stallard.

Learning Compassion

Compassion shows that you care and creates a work environment where people want to be. Mary Jo Asmus shares tips on how leaders can cultivate this characteristic.

Exciting News About Our Latest Book

Two of the leading book summary organizations in the world have published helpful abstracts of the second edition of Connection Culture.

A Year-End Gift to Our Readers: LinkedIn Learning Course Access

As 2020 draws to a close, Michael and Katie Stallard share the story of the new Connection Culture LinkedIn Learning course and give readers a special offer.

Don’t Abandon Your Core Values During a Crisis

In a crisis, do your organization's leaders take a fight or flight approach? Paul LaRue shares why staying true to core values matters.

Why and How to Become a Helpful Boss

Helpfulness reinforces connection and makes employees less likely to leave. Wally Bock explains how to become a helpful boss.

Lifting Others with Your Words

Emotions are catching, reminds Mary Jo Asmus. Be intentional about choosing positive words when appropriate to lift others up.

Michael Lee Stallard Tells Soundview Magazine Why Connection is Critical to Emotional Health

Soundview Magazine published thoughts from Michael Lee Stallard on why connection is critical to managing emotional health, particularly during the pandemic.

Michael Lee Stallard Appears on GovExec Daily Podcast

Michael Lee Stallard talks with GovExec Daily about how to foster a culture of connection at government agencies during the pandemic.

Lessons on Connection from the Life of RBG

We can learn a lot about how to live a life of connection from the example of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, writes Michael Lee Stallard.

Michael Stallard Shares Update on Latest Book With Pat Farnack of WCBS Newsradio

Michael Stallard spoke with Pat Farnack of WCBS Newsradio about what's included in the latest edition of the book Connection Culture.

Michael and Katharine Stallard to Host ExecuNet Webinar on November 5

ExecuNet will host the Connection Culture Group on November 5 for an informative discussion on connection in today's environment.

Sneak Peek: Connection Heroes in Expanded & Updated 2nd Edition of Connection Culture

Katharine P. Stallard shares a sneak peek at some of the connection heroes highlighted in the second edition of Connection Culture.

When You Want to Know What Others Think

The connection culture element of "voice" requires open and honest communication. Mary Jo Asmus explains how leaders can create a safe space for honest feedback.

How to Prepare for Rising Stress Ahead

Michael Stallard shares that several factors may lead to more stress in the coming months, which means it's time to ensure that you and those you lead are prepared to manage it.

How a Servant-Leader Mindset Can Give New Leaders Instant Rapport

Servant leaders have the humility to recognize they don't have all the answers, reminds Paul LaRue. By giving employees a voice, they can connect with those they lead.

Protecting Remote Workers’ Productivity and Performance

As an increasing number of people become remote workers, it is critical for organizations to be intentional about fostering connection to encourage high levels of productivity and performance.

Protecting Employees from Covid-19 through Connection

How can we protect people in the workplace so they don’t contract Covid-19? Workplace cultures that emphasize connection are part of the answer. Here's why.

Connection at Home During Covid-19

With fewer opportunities to connect at work and the community, connection at home is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic write Michael Lee Stallard and Katharine P. Stallard.

Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic

While battling the COVID-19 pandemic, our society is also facing an epidemic of loneliness. Michael Stallard and Katharine Stallard share how to practice social distancing while maintaining connection.

The Case for a People Support System

In a world where employees are increasingly asked to do more with less, Paul LaRue makes the case that businesses need to invest in People Support Systems.

Leadership: There is no Misbehavior

There is no misbehavior; there is only behavior. Wally Bock shares important questions leaders should ask to determine why an employee is failing to meet expectations.

Boost Connectedness to Reverse Rise of Suicides in America

Michael Stallard explores what's behind the rise of suicides in America and why boosting connectedness is the key to reversing it.

4 Ways Love Provides a Competitive Advantage

Love provides a lasting, although rarely discussed, competitive advantage. Here's why leaders such as Kip Tindell and Herb Kelleher focus on love.

Start Your Week by Driving Culture

Consistency is the key to driving culture change in the workplace. Paul LaRue shares a checklist to help leaders start each week focused on their company's culture.

Five Daily Opportunities to Deepen Work Relationships

You are a leader who cares about your stakeholders, but do they know that? Mary Jo Asmus shares five opportunities for deepening work relationships.

4 C Vitamins for Better Leadership

The work of leadership is mostly small things you do over and over with unremitting diligence...similar to taking vitamins. Wally Bock shares 4 "C vitamins" for leaders.

6 Ways to Enhance Your Communication Effectiveness

One of the indicators of an effective leader is how well he or she communicates. Paul LaRue shares six tips for enhancing your communication skills.

The #1 Obstacle to Great Workplace Culture

We know how to create great workplace cultures, but we don't take the necessary steps. Michael Stallard explains why the "knowing-doing" gap is hurting our workplaces.

Prepare the Way for Your Gemba Walk

A "Gemba walk" is a leadership practice that involves going to the place where work is done, but it's about more than business, explains Wally Bock. Here's why.

7 Ways to Tell if You’re a Boss or a Leader

Are you a boss or a leader? Randy Conley shares 7 ways to tell the difference and why it matters to your workplace and career.

Promises Leaders Make

If you want to boost employee engagement, begin by answering this question: What promises should I make to the people I am responsible for leading? Michael Stallard explains why.

Caution: Your Employees Will Fill in the Blanks

Paul LaRue shares strategies to communicate, fill in the blanks, and close the information gaps in messages to employees to avoid false conclusions and rumors.

Five Ways for Leaders to Orchestrate Better Team Relationships

Being a good leader and hiring good people who get the work done isn’t enough, writes Mary Jo Asmus. Take these 5 steps to foster better team relationships and ultimately boost performance.

3 Reasons Why Leaders Should Pause and Take Notice

You may not think being a good “noticer” is important, but Randy Conley writes that it is one of the top priorities for leaders. Here's why.

Millennials and Gen Z: Connecting with and Managing Younger Generations in the Workplace

How can you build strong, mutually beneficial work relationships with the youngest members of today's workforce - millennials and Gen Z? Katie Russell shares her perspective.

Bringing Connection to School

Michael Stallard explains why teachers and students thrive when schools encourage a connection culture mindset.

Keeping Culture When Scaling Your Company’s Growth

Keeping a company's culture intact through all growth stages is challenging, particularly for companies with many offices. Paul LaRue shares thoughts on addressing this challenge.

Starting New With Those Who Have Offended You

Starting new with a coworker who has offended you can be tough, but is ultimately the right choice. Mary Jo Asmus shares tips for rebuilding a positive relationship.

Why the Health of Your Doctor Matters

The combination of chronic stress and loneliness is contributing to an epidemic of physician burnout. Michael Stallard and Katharine Stallard explore the issue.

Confronting Poor Performance is a “Moment of Trust” – 5 Steps for Success

Randy Conley shares a five step process to help leaders address an employee’s poor performance with candor and care.

9 Steps to Start Real Culture Change

Real culture changes begin with the leadership team, writes Paul LaRue. Here are 9 steps to start the process of changing your organization's culture.

You Can’t See a Vision When You’re Tangled in the Weeds

Part of a leader's job is to set the vision for the team. But when you’re tangled up in the weeds of daily work, you can’t fly high enough to see a vision, reminds Mary Jo Asmus.

3 Reasons Why Great Bosses Aren’t Bossy

The best bosses aren’t bossy, writes Wally Bock. Instead, great bosses understand three important truths about leadership and motivating people.

America's Loneliness Epidemic: A Hidden Systemic Risk to Organizations

Michael Stallard explores the science of loneliness, explains why loneliness poses a systemic risk to today's organizations, and shares a case study on how Mayo Clinic is approaching the challenge.

Do People Really Want to Work for a Competent Jerk?

Leaders who are compenent jerks may get the job done but at a high cost, writes Mary Jo Asmus. Instead, leaders should balance both competence and relationship skills.

Leadership by Example

There is no leadership without leadership by example, reminds Wally Bock. Your only choice is whether you will set a good example or a bad one.

6 Ways Leaders Bully People Without Realizing It

If you’re a leader in the workplace, make sure you’re not being a bully without even realizing it. Randy Conley shares common workplace bullying behaviors.

Addicted to Your Smartphone, To-do List or Busyness?

An addiction to your smartphone, to-do list, or busyness could be a sign of an addiction to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Michael Stallard explains what that is and how it impacts your work.

How to Improve Your Organization's Culture Through Employee Connections

Strong employee connections contribute to a high-performing organizational culture. Michael Stallard explains three ways leaders can improve connections in an article originally published by Forbes.

How You Interact is a Choice

It’s all too easy to interact with others without thinking about the impact you have on them. Mary Jo Asmus shares small but significant steps leaders can take for more positive interactions.

Boss, Are You the Cause of Stress?

As a boss, you experience stress, but does your behavior create stress for the people you lead? Wally Bock shares stress inducing habits that people in leadership should avoid.

How Loneliness And Longing For Connection Are Affecting Today's Leaders

Loneliness is negatively affecting the health of today's leaders...and the people they lead. Michael Stallard shares how to reduce loneliness in your own life and organization.

Why Women Leaders Are Outperforming Men

Studies show that women leaders are outperforming men in many key areas. So what’s the secret to this success? Michael Stallard explains one possible answer in an article originally published by Forbes.

Seven Practices That Protect Your Organization From the Lethality of Loneliness

Rising loneliness is taking a toll in our workplaces. In an article originally published by Forbes, Michael Stallard shares seven practical ways to fight loneliness in your organization by boosting connection.

5 Ways Leaders Try to Lead Right in the Wrong Way

Most leaders have good intentions and want to lead right, but sometimes we go about it in the wrong ways. Randy Conley shares five leadership behaviors to avoid.

The Most Important Thing That Can Make You a Better Leader

Listening is the single most important thing you can do to become a better leader, writes Mary Jo Asmus.

The Thing About Judy

There is no generic “A player,” writes Wally Bock. Instead, employees become star performers when placed in roles where they have the opportunity to use their strengths.

Strengthen Your Relational Fitness in the New Year

Many people make New Year's resolutions to improve their physicial fitness, but what about relational fitness? Katie Stallard shares tips to get started.

3 Words That Will Revolutionize Your Leadership

Trust is essential in the workplace, but someone has to make the first move. Randy Conley explains why leaders need to be the first to extend trust to their followers.

Why You Need to Tell Them Why

Mary Jo Asmus shares why it's a good idea for leaders to explain the reasons behind their decisions.

Leadership: A Bunch of Cs for Bosses

Wally Bock shares a list of things you should do as a boss that all begin with the letter C - from communication to connections.

Why Development is a Core Focus as a Leader

What should a leader's main focus be? Paul LaRue shares why development is a critical aspect of leadership and provides practical examples to get started.

What People Want From You

When a leader receives poor feedback from direct reports, it can be discouraging. Mary Jo Asmus explains that this is the time to give employees what they really want: connection.

Spin Belongs in the Gym, Not the Workplace: 4 Ways to Increase Transparency

Spin is deadly to a leader because it leads to low trust, poor morale, and cynicism. Randy Conley shares four ways to decrease spin and increase transparency.

I’m Optimistic About the Future of Leadership

While it's possible to argue that today's leadership training and workplace culture models have failed, Michael Stallard writes that there's cause for optimism. Here's why.

Independence is Important at Work, Too

Wally Bock reminds managers why its important to give employees as much autonomy at work as possible and how to do it effectively.

How to Talk About the Elephant in the Room

Addressing the "elephant in the room" is uncomfortable, but sometimes it's necessary to resolve workplace issues. Paul LaRue shares advice on how to approach these tough conversations.

Realign Your Team to Finish 2018 Strong

With the end of the calendar year quickly approaching, Michael Stallard shares why now is the perfect time to realign your team to reach annual goals.

3 Proven Strategies for Leading Virtual Teams

For many jobs, work is no longer a place we go to but something we do. Randy Conley shares tips for managing virtual teams based on their unique dynamics.

What an Open Dialogue Requires of You

There are times when leaders need to have an open dialogue with an individual, group or team. Mary Jo Asmus shares advice for navigating these conversations.

4 Ways to Make Every Day Better

Great bosses get results a day at a time, writes Wally Bock. Here are four things to do each day to make every day better.

New Role? A 30-60-90 Day Plan for Leaders

The most effective way for a leader to create results and build culture is to adopt a rolling focus, 30-60-90 day game plan, writes Paul LaRue.

Boss Doesn’t Trust You? Here Are 4 Likely Reasons Why

There could be dozens of reasons why your boss doesn’t trust you in a particular situation, but Randy Conley writes that they all can be traced back to the ABCD’s of trust: able, believable, connected, and dependable.

Leading Your Team Through a Crisis

Crisis happens in almost every organization at some time. Mary Jo Asmus shares how leaders can help employees to move through it and to focus on the work at hand.

Leadership: Dinosaurs and Behavior Problems

Behavior problems are like dinosaurs, writes Wally Bock. They’re easy to handle when they’re small, but if leaders let them go the problems will become difficult to correct.

When You Listen More

The more leaders listen, the more they will be heard. And the more a leader is heard, the better his or her chances of influencing others, writes Mary Jo Asmus.

Is the “Silent Killer” Sabotaging Your Performance?

Loneliness is a silent killer that is sabotaging individual and organizational performance. Michael Stallard shares how to combat it with a Connection Culture.

Leadership: Three Inconvenient Truths About Teams

True teams don't develop overnight. Wally Bock shares three truths about teams every leader needs to know.

Fear or Vision: Two Cultures with Different Results

While vision-driven companies seek to gain influence, fear-driven companies seek to avoid losing influence. Paul LaRue explains why vision-driven companies are more successful in the end.

Combatting America’s Health Crisis from Loneliness

New research from Cigna reveals that the majority of Americans are lonely. Michael Stallard shares tips on you can respond to reduce loneliness in your life and the lives of those around you.

Include Others in Complex Decisions

Some decisions are better when you include others. Mary Jo Asmus shares 5 tactics leaders can use when making complex decisions.