A lack of CONNECTION, with oneself, with one's purpose, and with others, is at the root of most problems bubbling up in today's workforce. When we lose the connection to ourselves, it becomes difficult to be authentic and follow our passions. When we are disconnected from colleagues and working in silos, we lose the creative potential that comes from collaboration and employees are often left feeling isolated, anxious and overwhelmed.

At a time where people are glued to their smartphones and distracted by the constant stream of information and emails, it has become more and more difficult to create healthy work boundaries and to be fully present in conversations. Our culture also values working long hours and pushing through fatigue and overwhelm rather than rest and self-care.

In order to establish a work culture that maximizes the potential of every employee, we must find creative ways to foster connection. In order to feel connected at work, we must create cultures in which employees are willing to:

1. Be authentic and vulnerable

2. Take risks and make mistakes

3. Be fully present and consciously aware of their own thoughts and feelings, as well as the thoughts and feelings of others

This presentation will discuss how mindfulness and deliberately focusing on improving emotional intelligence lead to a more connected work culture in which people feel seen, heard and valued.