This is part of a series of articles on Social Excellence in the workplace called “The Relationship Business Series.” Because after all, we’re all in the relationship business. For more helpful content like this, sign up for (free) The 21 Days of Social Excellence.

by Matt Mattson

The one thing I wish I could give every workplace is the gift of a culture filled with human connection.

The one thing I every company and organization needs to perform at a higher level is a culture filled with human connection.

And yet...

Tasks, To-Dos, 1-on-1's, QPRs, Demands, Performance Reviews, All Hands Meetings

Agendas, Priorities, Quarterly Targets...

The workplace can be inhuman. The workplace can be gray and sickly.The workplace can be soul-sucking.

Finding inspiration to connect with other humans deeply, within the kafkaesque daily grind, can feel impossible. I get it.

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to treat conversations as transactions—brief exchanges of information, devoid of depth and genuine connection.

But what if you dared to transform just "One More Moment"?

Not the whole day. Not the whole workplace culture all at once. But just one moment in your day.

What I've learned is that one more moment can be everything. One more moment of feeling cared for can make me not want to quit tomorrow. One more moment of feeling seen and heard can make me want to contribute more. One more moment of feeling like I matter can make me a fanatic for our company's cause.

Imagine taking one more moment tomorrow, looking up from your screen, and meeting a co-worker's eyes with undivided attention. Imagine one more moment in the breakroom going one-level deeper when a colleague shares an anecdote about their life. Imagine one more moment with your supervisor where you allow them to be just 1% more human with you than your relationship normally requires.

Imagine the story you'll tell your family around the dinner table tomorrow night about how good of a day you had at work.

"One More Moment" extends beyond face-to-face encounters. In the realm of digital communication, where speed often trumps connection, we can make a difference there too. Picture a Zoom call where you, noticing your colleague's quiet demeanor, take a breath and ask a genuine question about their personal life. With that one extra moment, you can convey care and acknowledge the whole person behind the screen.

Even in the realm of emails, texts, or Slack messages, we can infuse "One More Moment" into our digital interactions. It's the difference between a hurried response and a thoughtful inquiry about someone's well-being. It's a small gesture that can have a significant impact on the quality of our relationships.

Think about it. One more moment each hour, amidst the demands of an eight-hour workday, to make a more Socially Excellent choice. It's a choice to put people before tasks, to cultivate a culture of love-filled collegiality, and to transform the way we connect in the workplace.

Imagine the possibilities if we collectively embraced "One More Moment." Team dynamics might shift from transactional to transformative. Productivity might thrive as individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. And in the midst of our professional pursuits, we might cultivate a deeper sense of belonging and fulfillment.

So, as you navigate your workplace today and tomorrow, I encourage you to take a breath, pause, and choose "One More Moment." Embrace the power of connection, both in person in your digital life. Let's dare to create a workplace culture that embodies Social Excellence — one moment at a time.