Like many organizations post-Covid, our team is all remote. The remote work model, with all of its positives and negatives, works so well for us.
And while it can be super efficient most of the time, it can also be lonely. And easier for things to get lost in communication.
Without whole person context, we don’t have a window into what makes people approach the world like they do.
Miss that kind of information on a team, and you miss a lot.
In addition to Erin, who has been with Interleap since the beginning, we recently welcomed two amazing new team members: Sarah and Jackie (you will see their names a lot around here!). Bringing them on board has been a huge step for us — a major milestone in our journey of growth. We’ve always know that in order to grow as a company, we had to grow our team. There’s been providence in this process and there’s been intention, and we couldn’t be happier to see it unfold the way it has.
There have been fresh ideas and new energy in our remote dynamic, and we knew we needed time outside of “work” to connect and get to know each other.
So as complex as it may be with four working moms and differing schedules and cities, we dug in and committed to making the time.
To come together in person — yes, to talk shop — but also to do what was equally important — to gather around a table, share a meal and get to know the women behind the work.
The result?
More EQ. We learned what makes us work well together, what bottlenecks are in the way, and how we can take what we have and make it even better.
More connection. We better GET each other. I know how they like to own their work, what they care about and what motivates them.
Greater trust. Trust (or lack of it) is hiding somewhere behind every single misstep or miscommunication that happens with a team. Lose trust and everything starts to unravel.
Getting more of the above makes our team stronger and gives us the power to transform the way we impact and help clients this year.We’re in the gain because we slowed down, prioritized relationships and found connection.
Connection makes all of the “hard” things — communication, conflict and problem-solving — so.much.easier.
While we often push it aside in favor of productivity, connection is what makes real progress possible.
We saw this recently with a client navigating a tough round of negotiations. The work was intense — mentally and emotionally. But when the two parties took a break for coffee and true connection happened, the tension somehow dissipated.
Our client described the change that occurred as “profound”.
When the walls come down, agendas get dropped and people are simply able to have a conversation.
This is what happens when we drop the stories our minds create — and we get to the truth about each other.
Connection changes perspectives.
It softens interactions.
It builds trust.
And ultimately, that connection leads to commitment, engagement, accountability, and real results.
So we are asking ourselves, what else is possible when we slow down and prioritize relationships? And how can we make it a bigger part of the weekly and monthly cadence?
A lot of us believe that making connection is hard. That it’s time consuming and complicated. Don’t buy it. With one step at time, it’s laying the foundation to move forward stronger and better.
Trust this truth. Seriously. It’s always worth it in the end.