One of the things I love most about the Christmas season is reconnecting with colleagues, clients, friends, and family – not just those I see often, but also those I may not have spoken to since last year.

These moments remind me of a fundamental human truth: connection isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential to our survival and success.

Did you know that our brains encode social pain and physical pain in the same way? When we fear exclusion or lack connection, it triggers a threat response in our brain, just like facing a physical danger. The result? Disconnection hurts—and not just emotionally.

When we feel excluded, our ability to think clearly diminishes. We indulge in self-defeating behaviour and our ability to self-regulate is reduced. We make poorer choices, lose our sense of purpose, and our overall well-being suffers.*

As a leader, you have the power to change this. Beyond sprinkling Christmas cheer, you can create lasting impact by fostering connection in your workplace. A kind word, a moment of genuine interest, or simply ensuring every voice is heard can make a world of difference.

This season, let’s celebrate connection – in all its forms. Go Fearlessly Corrinne

Go Fearlessly – Corrinne

* This is from a summary of research presented by Dr Heidi Grant at the NeuroLeadership Summit, New York, November 2017.