Ever noticed how making friends as an adult is weirdly hard?
As kids, it was easy—love the same cartoon, boom, best mates. But now? The classic “have a chat in the grocery store line” moment has been replaced by head-down phone scrolling. We sit in meetings, lunchrooms, and even elevators in silence.
And yet—94% of employees say they’re more productive when they feel connected to their colleagues.
Workplace Disconnection is a BIG Deal
Turns out, a lot of us are feeling disconnected at work. A global study found:
40% of remote workers miss spontaneous, in-person connections.
49% of in-office workers struggle to stay motivated and connected with their team.
31% of flex workers find relationship-building a challenge.
So, if you’re feeling a bit “meh” about work, maybe it’s not the job—maybe it’s the lack of connection.
Awkward Conversations? Worth It.
I understand—starting a conversation with someone new can feel uncomfortable.
For example, I went to my first super 15 rugby game live for the first time since the pandemic....noticed how weird it felt to be sitting so close to strangers...and I’m a chitty chitty chat chat small talk queen from way back and yet I felt uncomfortable.
I thought I'd give it a whirl and instead of staying silent (and uncomfortable) I'd step out of my comfort zone and asked "How long have you been a rugby fan?" ...boom, that led to chats around us...felt immediately more comfortable and relaxed.
A Challenge for You
Wanna feel more connected? Try this:
At the checkout: What’s been the best moment of your day so far?
In an elevator: I like your shirt! Where’d you get it?
In a meeting: What’s something you’re looking forward to this week?
Why? Because if you have a close friend at work, you’re 7x more likely to be engaged.
Not Sure How to Start? Use a Tool!
Not everyone’s a natural at small talk—and that’s okay! The good news? You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Below The Surface is designed to spark real, meaningful conversations—without the weirdness. Whether you're breaking the ice with a new colleague or strengthening team connections, this tool makes it effortless.
Download your FREE mini deck here!
Want the full deck? Use code LOCAL for $30 off!
Because work (and life) are better when we actually talk to each other!
And While We’re Talking About Connections…
CPLT intake is open now! If you're a trainer who dreams of running your own successful training company, or an in-house trainer looking to deliver proven communication training then CPLT could be for you.
Checkout our Become A Trainer page for the information and fill in the form. Next intake kicks off Friday 21st March.
Now’s the time to take the next step—register today and start making a real difference.
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