One May Be the Loneliest Number . . . And It May Be Silently Killing your Business

Each month, I share with my clients an insight that connects a business thought to what is happening in the world around us.   This month, I focused on loneliness. 

The country is back on “lock down” and the cold weather has driven us indoors. Humans have not evolved to stay in one place, even if we are lucky enough to have loved ones around us. 

We are all likely feeling a tinge of loneliness right now. This feeling of loneliness is likely familiar to business owners, CEOs and senior executives - it is lonely at the top.  

I shared with my clients some practical suggestions for overcoming C-suite loneliness.  

In collecting my thoughts, however, I came across this much more profound article in the Harvard Business Review entitled "America's Loneliest Workers."  

We should be concerned on an organizational level about loneliness right now.   

As noted in this article, close colleagues and managers are best positioned to identify workers suffering from loneliness. And, research shows that loneliness has the same effect on health as 15 cigarettes per day.  

I had a couple of suggestions that I shared with my clients that could be helpful to you to identify loneliness in your organization. 

Proactively Connect with your Colleagues (it won't happen organically).  If you are like me, you invested in a pair of fancy headphones for your Zoom calls. Strap the earphones on and reach out folks up and down your organization. These are people with whom you would have organically connected pre-COVID. It is important to proactively reach out them now. 

Invest in a New Pair of Nikes. Remember when "road biking" became the new “golf” for getting together with business acquaintances and making deals. In the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the Urban Hike. Invite a colleague or business acquaintance for a little fresh air and a modestly paced, socially distanced walkabout. There is time to get to know another person and begin thinking creatively about solving the big challenges in your respective businesses. 

I encourage you to take some time in the new year to make this kind of investment in your organization and help build community by identifying loneliness and finding ways to cure it.  

A true "double goal" management strategy:

You could add years of life to those around you . . . and the research shows your business will thrive because of it.