EP178: Key #3: Connection – Strengthening Trust and Impact
BELONGING IS A HUMAN NEED…
…connection is the necessary ingredient!
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(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
Over the last few episodes, I’ve been walking you through my Keys to Leadership Magic framework. We’ve covered Character, which is all about who you are beneath the title, and Confidence, which is your belief in yourself and your ability to lead from a grounded, aligned place.
Now, we’re turning to Connection—the third key that brings it all together.
Leadership Is Human
Connection, to me, is about relationships. Because leadership is human. It’s about building and nurturing meaningful relationships based on trust, psychological safety, and a genuine understanding of the people around you—your team, your peers, and beyond.
When we focus on connection, we:
Deepen our understanding of others
Leverage diverse strengths
Enhance communication
Build trust
Create environments where people and performance thrive
Connection is the human element that makes leadership real and impactful.
Beyond Being “Nice”
Connection isn’t just about being social. It’s about being emotionally attuned and intentionally engaged. Because let’s be honest—people don’t follow titles. They follow leaders they trust. Leaders who see them.
True connection fosters belonging, loyalty, and psychological safety. Without it, even the best strategy will fall flat.
The Definition—and the Deeper Meaning
The dictionary says connection is “a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else.” But in leadership, it goes deeper. The goal is to feel seen, heard, valued, and understood.
Brené Brown says it beautifully:
“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
That energy is what we’re talking about. It’s emotional. It’s powerful.
Connection Starts with You
Connection is multidimensional. Yes, it’s about others, but it starts with you. Connection to self is foundational. When you understand your own values, energy, needs, and stress triggers, you open up space for curiosity, compassion, and understanding of others.
From there, connection creates a ripple effect—one authentic moment can influence an entire team or culture.
The Costs of Disconnection
Without connection, the impacts are significant:
Loneliness and social isolation
Health and wellbeing concerns
Increased stress and burnout
Decreased engagement
Erosion of trust and psychological safety
Higher turnover and conflict
The good news? The benefits of connection are just as powerful:
Increased productivity, trust, and retention
Greater wellbeing and safety
More engagement, fun, and collaboration
And the best part? It’s free. Connection costs nothing but your time and attention.
What Gets in the Way
It’s easy to talk about the importance of connection—but what stops us? I look at barriers in two buckets: organizational and internal.
Organizational barriers include:
Rigid hierarchies and silos
Heavy workloads and constant urgency
Remote or hybrid work arrangements
Unacknowledged differences
Lack of psychological safety
Internal barriers might be:
Lack of awareness
Fear of judgment or rejection
Implicit biases
Assumptions
Unchecked internal narratives
When we bring these to the surface, we can start to shift them. That’s where the real work—and growth—begins.
The CREATE Framework
To help leaders create meaningful connection, I developed a framework that spells out the word CREATE:
C – Commit: Decide connection matters and make it a strategic priority.
R – Reimagine: Paint a picture of what a connected culture feels and looks like.
E – Expand Awareness: Get curious about yourself and others. Understand differences.
A – Activate Power Skills: Lean into empathy, curiosity, compassion, and emotional intelligence.
T – Take Action: Build routines and environments that make space for connection.
E – Embed & Evolve: Make it sustainable. Revisit and refine it regularly.
Everyday Connection Matters
Connection doesn’t have to be complicated. You might:
Leave space for personal check-ins in meetings
Celebrate non-work milestones
Create team rituals like “pump-up song” playlists
Do walking meetings
Share stories and model vulnerability
Use tools like Insights Discovery to build self and team awareness
It’s these small, intentional moments that build trust and belonging—and ultimately drive the results we’re all striving for.
What Do You Think?
In what ways can you create more connection?
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