5 Ways CEOs Can Strengthen Connection on their Senior Leader Teams in the Time of COVID

(Co-written with Robert David, Silicon Valley Executive Education.)

A bag of potato chips can leave you stuffed … but hungry. And despite all the time on Zoom, CEOs can still feel disconnected from colleagues.  Whatever trust reservoir they had accumulated pre-pandemic is being drawn down through weakening ties. While nourishing those ties is a personal responsibility – and opportunity – CEOs and other leaders have a role to play. Here’s how.

Model extreme authenticity. Authenticity catalyzes connection. The norm these days seems to be a bit more sharing about what’s behind (or occasionally in front of) the webcam … but still short of a real description of our experience, emotions, thoughts. Get past the humanizing but safe stories of COVID life and truly share of yourself.

Get people to do less. Connection takes time, but generally COVID has increased workload, especially as organizations re-plan and entertain multiple scenarios. It might take some courage and risk-tolerance but trimming workload will allow time and energy for connection.

Dial up autonomy. All the Zoom meetings suck the oxygen away from human connection. Collaboration and teamwork are “mom and apple pie,” but now is a time to entrust individuals with more … again, to give them more reserve for human (not work-related) connection.

Elevate values. Organization values are like wedding vows: they are needed and tested in tough times, like now. Many organizations, sadly, neglect their values (e.g., courage, generosity, boldness, innovation …). This is the time to talk about them: if we really trusted and embraced our stated values, what would they have us do?

Be a host. Chance interactions and office social events aren’t happening. CEOs need to be, and teach others to be, skilled and intentional hosts. They can design interactions thoughtfully (way better than an awkward Zoom happy hour for 20 people). The Art of Gathering is great for this.

In normal times, CEOs and other leaders have a role to play in creating social cohesion, but in large measure, it just happens. With the pandemic and working from home, that connection is not “just happening.” But social cohesion drives results and success and it’s worth the CEO’s focus.