No doubt you’ve heard a successful company described as “a well-oiled machine.” That typically means employees work together to achieve common goals without much conflict or disengagement — but a machine doesn’t oil itself. It takes proactive maintenance to ensure everyone within the organization interacts well and delivers the highest levels of performance. Unfortunately, this is a lesson too often lost on many companies. Whether due to culture clashes, weak values, micromanagement or other issues, many teams are not as connected and engaged as they should be. 

According to recent data, roughly half of employees say they feel disconnected from their coworkers. This can be highly detrimental to a workplace because it means they’re less likely to give their best efforts and more likely to feel demoralized while on the job. There are some basic steps, however, that managers and other decision-making professionals can take to ensure their internal culture is one that keeps team members connected to each other and to the organization as a whole. 

For instance, many individuals report feeling frustrated and detached from their jobs due to a lack of control over their own work. Without a certain amount of autonomy, they may feel like little more than interchangeable elements with little value as workers. Providing employees with more choice in how they get their work done can go a long way toward resolving this problem. Another common issue is when workplaces don’t pay attention to their vision and values, which results in a weak culture where workers simply punch in and don’t feel a connection to their work. Team building exercises can be a great way to promote bonding between coworkers and communicate the company’s vision in a fun and exciting way. 

Regular maintenance is critical to prevent employees from grinding themselves down at work. For more ideas about how you can create a more connected workplace and why it’s essential, take a look at the accompanying resource. 

Infographic created by Team Bonding, an in person team building activities business