In 2016, founder Pete Bombaci launched The GenWell Project. The mission was to build a sustainable movement that helps educate, empower, and catalyze Canadians around the importance of human connection as a proactive step that we can all take for our health, happiness, longevity and the betterment of society as a whole.
Workplaces took human connections for granted prior to the global pandemic. Many assumed because people were locked in the routine of coming to the office each day and gathering in a confined space, that the relationships that drive a successful business would thrive and that the occasional summer BBQ and holiday party would fill the void for cross functional connection. For many businesses and people, the past did not make them feel welcome, did not give them as sense of belonging or provide the psychological safety that allowed them to thrive. The global pandemic exposed the rawness of these feeling, as many employees left as part of the Great Resignation or refused to return to the office.
The benefits of a more connected workplace are lengthy. From engagement to retention, to trust and loyalty, from reduced errors and greater productivity. All of these eventually lead to a more profitable and successful business and culture.
As we exit the global pandemic, the time has come for business, HR and wellness leaders to recognize that a reactive approach to your employee well-being is not only terrible for your employees, but bad for business. Don’t wait for people to become sick or get to a crisis before you act. Be the organization that values your employees for the work they do and the people they are outside the business. Help them to learn, connect, grow and have fun as a proactive program that drives their happiness, health, well-being and the passion to go the extra mile for themselves, their fellow colleagues, their superior and the organization.
Taking a wait and see approach today is a sure fire way to continue to struggle as an organization. Building and strong consciousness and intentionality around the power of human connection for the benefit of all is the first step to building success moving forward.