Without fail, I have a visceral reaction whenever a meeting—whether in-person or virtual—begins without first establishing human connection. And I’m not alone in feeling this way. Studies consistently show that strong workplace relationships are directly linked to higher engagement, trust, and productivity. According to Gallup, employees who feel connected to their leaders are 3x more likely to be engaged at work. Meanwhile, research from Harvard Business Review found that organizations with high-trust cultures report 74% less stress, 50% higher productivity, and 40% lower burnout than those that don’t prioritize relational leadership. Researchers also found that employees who feel a strong sense of belonging at work see a 56% increase in job performance and a 50% reduction in turnover risk. When leaders prioritize connection, they don’t just build stronger teams—they drive meaningful, measurable success.
Yet in a world that often values efficiency over depth, it's easy to fall into transactional relationships—where networking replaces true connection, and busy-ness overrides presence. But leadership, at its core, is about people. As one of my mentors always says, “It’s all about the relationship.” Relationships – real relationships – are built upon a foundation of trust, care, and authenticity.
So how do we foster meaningful, human-centered connections— in leadership, coaching, community work, and every aspect of our lives?
Here are five ways to cultivate relationships that nurture authenticity, care, and trust:
1. Listen Wholly
Too often, we listen to respond rather than to understand. Deep connection begins with deep listening—creating space for others to feel fully heard. I call this “whole-body listening,” a practice of tuning in with more than just our ears. Some refer to it as “empathetic” or “global” listening, but I define it as something even more expansive—engaging all our senses, both internally and externally, to perceive not only what is audible and visible but also what is silent, invisible, cultural, and historical.
What sets whole-body listening apart is its intentional awareness of identity, power, and privilege—how systems of oppression shape not just what is said, but how it is spoken, heard, and responded to. When I’m fully present, I listen beyond words, attuning to the layers beneath them. I consider how race, gender, class, ability, and lived experience influence expression and interpretation. I recognize that power dynamics affect whose voices are centered and whose are dismissed, whose emotions are validated and whose are minimized.
Whole-body listening is not passive—it’s an active practice of witnessing and honoring, of making space for the full depth of human expression within the realities of systemic inequities. It requires us to listen with humility, to hold space for discomfort, and to recognize the ways our own positionality influences what we hear and how we respond. True connection demands that we listen not just with our ears, but with our whole selves—mind, body, and a deep awareness of the structures that shape every interaction.
2. Lead with Vulnerability
True connection requires honesty. Sharing personal experiences—both triumphs and struggles—invites others to do the same. Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s a bridge to mutual growth.
As a woman of color, I know firsthand that vulnerability can feel especially risky. The unspoken expectation to be twice as polished, twice as accomplished—often for half the credit—makes any perceived imperfection feel like a liability. But I’ve also learned that when shared with the right people, vulnerability fosters deep, transformative relationships. Strategic authenticity can create connections more powerful than we ever imagined.
3. Prioritize Reciprocity
Relationships thrive on mutual care. Instead of focusing on what you can gain, ask how you can support others. A simple check-in or an unexpected show of support can deepen trust in profound ways.
I often send a quick text when someone comes to mind—just to let them know I’m thinking of them. This seconds-long gesture has repeatedly rekindled connections, often providing the exact encouragement, courage, or strength one of us may have needed–sometimes without even knowing we needed it–that day. Small acts of care often result in immeasurable ripple effects.
4. Honor Lived Experience
Every person carries a story that shapes their* perspective. These lived experiences—shaped by identity, community, struggle, and triumph—hold deep wisdom. Yet in a society that claims to value free speech, we too often silence voices from the margins.
The stories that are most overlooked are often the most powerful—stories of resilience, perseverance, and faith. When we truly honor diverse experiences, we create space for collective wisdom to flourish.
5. Create Space, Not Just Connections
Networking is about collecting contacts. Community-building is about creating environments where people feel safe, valued, and empowered to bring their full selves. But true belonging requires more than just inclusion—it demands intentional space-making, where people, especially those whose identities have been marginalized, are not only welcomed but celebrated in their wholeness.
In a world shaped by racism, sexism, ableism, and other systems of exclusion, many people are forced to compartmentalize parts of themselves to fit into spaces that were never built with them in mind. Leadership that fosters real connection requires breaking that cycle. It means actively creating environments where people don’t just show up but feel deeply seen, heard, and embraced in all of their intersecting identities. It means centering those who have historically been overlooked and ensuring that every space we build honors the full humanity of those within it.
Are you prioritizing networking, or are you building a community where people can exist in their fullness, without apology? The difference is everything.
The Challenge: Cultivate Connection with Intention
Those who’ve worked with me know that one of my core principles is intentionality. As leaders, we shape the culture of our workplaces and communities. We decide whether our interactions remain surface-level or become transformational.
Too often, we move so quickly through our tasks that we forget the most important element of leadership—human connection. When the to-do list is overwhelming and the pressure to produce feels relentless, it’s easy to dismiss relationship-building as a luxury rather than a necessity. But fostering connection isn’t a distraction from the work—it’s what makes the work possible. Research shows that trust, engagement, and psychological safety lay the foundation for all the outcomes we strive for—higher performance, better decision-making, and long-term success. Investing in relationships isn’t just about feeling good in the moment; it’s about strengthening the very structures that allow us to thrive.
So, here’s my challenge to you: How will you begin your next meeting? Will it start with transactions, or will you take a moment to foster real connection? Instead, how can you begin to listen wholly, create space for authenticity, and lead with intention?
The legacy we leave as leaders isn’t built in big moments—it’s shaped in the everyday choices we make to honor and uplift the people around us. Let’s commit to leading in ways that bring out the best in ourselves and others. Because when we truly connect, we don’t just strengthen our teams—we transform them.
💡 How do you cultivate meaningful connections in your leadership or community? Let’s continue the conversation—drop your thoughts in the comments!
*RBC uses their as a singular noun in recognition of gender fluid identities and individuals who identify anywhere along the gender spectrum. Traditional subject-verb misalignment is intentional.
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