What’s More Important Than Compensation? 4 Benefits of Relational Connection at Work

What is the one thing that can bring huge benefits to the workplace? Hint: this doesn’t even cost the organization a penny. Relational connection can significantly benefit an organization – even more than compensation can! Cultivating a culture of relational connection can produce the following important benefits to organizations, their employees, and their leaders.

4 Benefits of Relational Connection

1. Emotional health

Companies that have a positive relational culture add a powerful benefit to the emotional lives of their employees. People with strong relational connections are better equipped to avoid or navigate life’s challenges. Depression. Anxiety. Divorce. Loss of a loved one. Sick family member. All of these difficult challenges are compounded when a person feels alone. Emotional health can only grow when others are there to help share the burden.

2. Greater Retention

Did you know that, according to Indeed.com, many employees are looking for a new position within just a few months of accepting their present position? This makes sense if their current workplace is lacking relational connection. After all, who would want to stay at a place that is a relational vacuum! These poor retention rates can be different, though. Employees who have close relational connection at work are less likely to leave, even for a greater salary. Every employee turnover costs the organization significant money and has a negative impact on the overall culture and reputation.

3. Higher performance

A relationally disconnected employee is more likely to feel disengaged and distracted from their work. However, when an employee feels valued, appreciated, and connected, there is a greater likelihood of improved performance. A relationally connected member will often miss less work, stay more focused, and show greater engagement with co-workers, job tasks, and with clients and customers. In other words, a relationally healthy work culture has more benefits than just “feeling good,” it also produces greater results.

4. Satisfaction

A dissatisfied employee can spread negativity and toxicity to others as easily as a cold virus spreads. However, even though we are experiencing a state of chronic dissatisfaction in our culture, satisfaction can improve. It will especially grow when people feel emotionally connected to those with whom they work including their supervisor. In general, satisfied team members complain less, look for a new job less, and miss less work.

If you want a healthier, more profitable, and more attractive work culture – one where talented employees want to come and stay for a while – focus on relational connection!

Jay Desko is the CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.