As a coach, I hear many stories of disfunction, and I enjoy identifying the root cause. Consider this example and take a guess at the underlying problem:

“I was the newest member of a team that had existed for less than a year. We believed our voice provided hope and helped people overcome loneliness, so our goal was to take components of our existing services and repackage them to be offered at scale outside of our historical target market. I focused on doing what was written in my job description: identifying, providing resources for, and collecting feedback from brand evangelists who actively partnered with us to develop new experiences. My supervisor loved my work, but I felt lost. I was having trouble staying motivated, and I wasn’t sure I belonged.”

This individual knew what her team was doing and the why behind it, but she was so focused on checking boxes that she hadn’t found her place. This was a connection problem. Connection in the workplace is all about two things:

1. Aligning yourself with your teams’ common purpose in a way that energizes you

2. Forging interpersonal relationships that enable you (and your team) to succeed

In this case, two of her top talent themes were Strategic®, which means she is always looking for the best way forward, and Connectedness®, which is all about seeing links among things and people. She was feeling drained by solely focusing on the task at hand. She needed to set aside her to-do list for a moment, zoom out, and recognize that her work wasn’t happening in a vacuum. She also needed to get to know her teammates.

Here’s how the story played out:

“I took on a project that required me to think about the big picture, and that was exciting. I was also deeply aware that I was proposing changes that would affect more than just my immediate team. I started proactively looking for areas where other departments would be affected so their needs would be met as changes rolled out. My coworkers repeatedly thanked me for my foresight. It was an experience that gave me a better understanding of what I could contribute. And it was a lot easier to get to know my coworkers and let them know me once I stopped doubting myself.”

Being aware of how your wants, needs, and passions coincide with the work you are doing gives you clarity on how to bring your best self to your work. Better yet is when each member of your team is connected in this way. The stronger the bonds to the purpose and each other, the more we can rely on the people around us.

Let’s turn the focus with you. Ask yourself these questions:

• On a scale of 1-10, how connected are you to your team’s common purpose? What could help you feel more connected?

• Which of your strengths do you use most often in your role? Which of your strengths would you like to use more?

• Is there anyone who has been trying to connect with you (asking for your input, sharing personal experiences, or demonstrating curiosity about your work)? Are you making time for them?

While beneficial to your organization and your team, increasing your connection will also help you feel more fulfilled. You’ll see how your individual contributions matter, and you may be able to identify ways that you can have a greater impact.

Ready to take your next step towards turning chaos into clarity?