About this episode

Julianne Holt-Lunstad discusses the critical impact of social connection on employee well-being and organizational performance.

  Leaders who care about employee well-being are facing a hidden challenge that most aren’t talking about enough: widespread disconnection. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University and Director of the Social Connection & Health Lab, has spent more than two decades showing how human connection — or the lack of it — directly shapes our physical and mental health. Her groundbreaking research helped shape the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on loneliness and isolation, and she is currently leading the landmark Social Connection in America survey, a 25-year national study tracking the true state of social connection across the country. The early data paints a concerning picture. 41% of American adults report feeling lonely at least some of the time. Nearly three-quarters get together with close relationships only twice a month or less. Many have surprisingly small social networks, and participation in groups or community life has dropped sharply. These patterns matter deeply for organizations because disconnection doesn’t stay at home — it follows people into work. In our conversation, Julianne explains how weak social…

People in this episode

Host: Mark C. Crowley

Guest: Julianne Holt-Lunstad

Topics covered

• employee well-being
• human connection
• loneliness
• mental health
• social networks
• organizational performance

Keywords

• disconnection
• burnout
• social connection
• loneliness
• mental health
• employee retention
• community life

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Brigham Young University, Social Connection & Health Lab, U.S. Surgeon General

Places: America

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