How do we transform a group of coworkers into a truly connected team? The answer might be found on the playground.
Recent research from the University of Cambridge offers a fascinating insight into human connection. Researchers studied how children who aren’t friends interact during play. They found that simply putting children in the same room didn’t spark connection. However, when the children were given a shared, goal-directed task, their “connectedness”—measured by how much they talked and listened to one another—increased significantly.
The “Open Office” Paradox We see this same phenomenon in the modern workplace. This “Proximity Paradox” is visible across many organizations. We see it in:
- Committee Meetings: Where members may sit together but remain silos of individual agendas.
- Cubicle Bays: Where physical closeness is often met with digital isolation (headphones and blocked calendars).
- Strategic Initiatives: Where “working in the same direction” isn’t the same as working on a shared task.
- Even open-plan offices created to save space AND enhance collaboration. Instead, we often see the opposite: employees wearing noise-canceling headphones and creating digital walls to maintain privacy. They are physically close but socially isolated.
From Proximity to Partnership To build a “Great Place to Work,” that enhances well-being, and cultivates high functioning teams, we must move beyond proximity. The Cambridge study proves that shared goals are the “glue” for not just children, but employees who don’t yet have deep personal ties.
At Dimensions we apply this by using safety goals and new project initiations as the primary “shared tasks” for our client teams. Whether we are interacting with Safety Teams, Emergency Response Teams, or Wellness Committees, when employees work together toward a concrete milestone or a project launch, they aren’t just completing a checklist—they are building the social fabric of the company.
This fabric — this way of working – ripples throughout the organization.
The Result:
- Enhanced Well-Being: Connection enhances social well-being and reduces workplace isolation.
- High Performance: Employees/Teams that communicate and collaborate are more effective and creative.
- Safety Excellence: A culture of “connectedness” is the ‘sauce’ – the key ingredient – to embed the Seven Core Elements for excellence within your safety program and organization.
By fostering a culture where tasks are a shared mission, Dimensions creates more than just a productive workplace—we create a sense of,
- Psychological Safety
- Community,
- Belonging,
- Ownership, and
- Voice
- Well-Being
Safety and well-being initiatives can be the levers that start the ripple!
What initiatives has your organization implemented to create shared goals and activities?
Contact us to discuss the possibilities to foster a culture and connectivity!