WHAT'S INSIDE
Six Connection Challenges.
Practical Actions.
The Report explores six critical challenges that organisations are facing today. Each with insights and actions leaders can implement right away.
THE CHALLENGE
Something isn't Connecting
Work Has never been more connected.
Yet many people feel more disconnected than ever.
The six connection challenges leaders told us about
We spoke to senior people leaders in public and private sector organisations across Ireland, large and small, and asked them one question: “When it comes to building strong human connections in your organisation, what are the top three challenges you face today?” Six challenges came up again and again, whatever the sector or size.
1. Too busy to connect
The pace of work is leaving people with less time, energy and headspace for connection. Relationship-building is often the first thing to go, and several leaders told us the time AI saves is simply being filled with more work.
2. We need to be more human and intentional about hybrid
Hybrid working offers flexibility, but connection doesn’t happen by accident. Without a clear answer to “what is our time together for?”, people commute to the office only to spend the day on video calls.
3. Structures, silos and geography are keeping people apart
When teams focus only on their own work, location or function, there are fewer chances to understand each other or collaborate across boundaries. Dispersed sites and decision bottlenecks widen the gap.
4. Leadership’s influence on connection is strong
Leaders shape whether connection thrives or fades. Yet many are caught in the same trap as everyone else: too busy and too stretched to invest in the relationships that matter, and not always supported to do this well.
5. The more digital we are, the less connected we feel
More channels and constant notifications are making work feel more transactional. One leader described a call where ten of the twelve people had sent an AI note-taker instead of joining themselves.
6. Different generations, different connection needs
Many organisations now have four generations working side by side. What feels natural and meaningful to one group can feel alienating to another, so connection has to work across those differences.
What’s in the report
For each challenge, the report explains why it matters, shares what people leaders told us in their own words (all anonymised), and gives five practical steps you can act on straight away. It follows on from our 2025 Mind The Gap research with Chief People Officers.
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