Combating Loneliness

In 2023, the US Surgeon General released an 85-page advisory identifying loneliness as an urgent public health concern that has a mortality impact similar to that of smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day [1].

It should not be surprising that this epidemic has spread its way throughout our society, including the workplace. With the rise of remote work and digital interactions, coupled with social media and increases in technology, we are more digitally connected than ever, yet often socially and relationally isolated. As Miriam Kirmayer puts it, "Loneliness has less to do with being alone and much more to do with the experience of being unseen" [2].

As business owners and CEOs, we are not immune to feelings of loneliness. The pressures of leadership can often be isolating. The phrase "It's lonely at the top" has never been more resonant.

Life and leadership are not intended to be solo endeavors. God did not design us for isolation, but for community and relationship. Even in the perfection of Eden, it was "not good that the man should be alone" [3].

As business leaders, we have to ensure our own needs are met, as well of those of our employees. C12 Business Forums help provide a framework of peer mentorship that allows us to carry each others burdens while combating isolation. This provides a foundation from which we can address other problems of loneliness that may exist within our companies.

Creating Connections

It takes time to build meaningful relationships. Research suggests it takes almost 200 hours to build close relationships [4]. When you consider that approximately one-third of a person’s life is spent at work, employers have an incredible opportunity to address the loneliness epidemic.

To create a workplace culture of deep relational connections, the leader's role is to cast vision and empower others. We can do that by identifying people with the gifts of hospitality and compassion and asking them to look for loneliness in others. We can provide adequate resources to our caring teams, equipping them to act on their ideas.

Ideas for a Supportive Workplace

Designate an Outreach Ambassador. Identify someone who naturally creates connections and genuinely cares for others so that he or she can reach out and help other employees feel connected.

Empower a caring team to identify and respond to loneliness in tangible ways. When employees face challenging situations, we can demonstrate our concern in practical ways. We can deliver a meal, send a card or flowers, or offer to pray for and with them.

Create psychologically safe environments. We want to ensure that our employees can express their opinions without fear of criticism and that they feel valued, heard, and appreciated. We should also use proactive approaches to manage conflicts and challenges in an effort to create a psychologically safe environment [5].

Launch ministry programs. We can invite employees to Bible studies, service projects, and volunteer opportunities.

Host social events for employees to connect outside of work. We can schedule events where individuals with similar interests can connect (e.g., through organized hikes or book clubs, trivia game nights, or seminars on non-work topics).

Examine the impact of hybrid and flexible hours. To ensure remote employees feel connected, we can regularly check in with them and create opportunities for remote employees to gather in person.

Hire a workplace chaplain. Chaplains act as employee sounding boards, provide counseling, offer support in a variety of situations, and build relationships with employees [6].

Loneliness is a very real issue, but one that can be overcome. When we remember that everyone we interact with is known and deeply loved by God, we have even more of an incentive to build a culture of community in the workplace. When people feel known and loved at work, we reflect God’s heart for our employees and honor Him in stewarding what He values most — people.

References

1. Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, US Department of Health and Human Services (2023), accessed February 15, 2024
2. Miriam Kirmayer, “It’s Time to Rethink What Loneliness Is,” Opinion, The Guardian, July 22, 2021
3. Genesis 2:18
4. Rick Hellman, “How to Make Friends? Study Reveals How Many Hours It Takes,” KU News, The University of Kansas, March 28, 2018, https://bit.ly/3IdxSoJ.
5.  Forbes Coaches Council, “15 Ways Your Organization Can Create a Safe Space in a Divisive World,” Leadership, Forbes, November 2, 2017, https://bit.ly/3UDK6hJ.
6. For more information about workplace chaplaincy, visit the websites of Marketplace Chaplains (mchapusa.com) and Corporate Chaplains of America (chaplain.org), both of which are C12 BaaM Resource Organizations.