Connectable

About the Authors

Ryan Jenkins and Steven Van Cohen are global leadership speakers and consultants who have helped several large companies prepare for the future of their work. Working alongside organizations like The Home Depot, Liberty Mutual Insurance, and Bruster’s Ice Cream, they’ve helped leaders realize their greatest asset and leverage it for mutual benefit: their people. Jenkins is an internationally-recognized keynote speaker and three-time published author, while Van Cohen is a global leadership consultant, executive coach, and two-time published author.

Main Idea

Connectable: Awaken a Renewed Sense of Connection by Ryan Jenkins and Steven Van Cohen explores the rising issue of workplace loneliness and presents a comprehensive framework to address it. The book emphasizes the importance of leaders in fostering connections among team members to enhance engagement, productivity, and retention. By understanding and combating loneliness, leaders can unlock their teams’ full potential.

Table of Contents

1. The Loneliness Epidemic
2. The Less Loneliness Framework
3. Step 1: Look at Loneliness
4. Step 2: Invest in Connection
5. Step 3: Narrow the Focus
6. Step 4: Kindle the Momentum
7. LINK to Fight Loneliness

The Loneliness Epidemic

Loneliness is a universal feeling that has seeped into the workplace, creating silent problems. According to Jenkins and Van Cohen, “workplace loneliness is the distress caused by the perceived inadequacy of a quality connection to teammates, leaders, the organization, and work itself.” As technology advances, our sense of connection diminishes, leading to less engagement, productivity, and higher turnover rates. Loneliness is contagious and can spread throughout a team, leading to burnout and reduced commitment.

“Today, over 60% of American adults report that they feel lonely.” — Ryan Jenkins & Steven Van Cohen

The Less Loneliness Framework

To combat workplace loneliness, Jenkins and Van Cohen developed the Less Loneliness Framework, which consists of four steps:

Step 1: Look at Loneliness

The first step involves recognizing loneliness in yourself and your team. Leaders need to assess how loneliness affects their teams and identify signs of disconnection. Common identifiers include sloppy work, lack of learning and development, change in routine, and excessive working. Recognizing these signs helps leaders understand the root cause of loneliness and develop strategies to address it.