Feeling a sense of community at work can improve your morale, boost productivity and make work more enjoyable. If you’re feeling isolated in your role, there are steps you can take to build your relationships at work. Reviewing strategies and tips and identifying why you feel isolated can help you grow closer with your team members and combat feelings of loneliness.
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In this article, we list some reasons you might feel isolated at work, explain why it’s important to recognize these feelings, and share eight methods you can use to improve your situation.
Why might you feel isolated at work?
There are many reasons you might feel isolated at work. It might be for personal reasons, like if you have social anxiety or find it challenging to make new friends. Conversely, it might be for an external reason, like if your workplace culture doesn’t support a sense of community. Here’s a closer look at some common causes of workplace isolation:
You’ve started working remotely
Many people transitioned away from in-person offices and community settings to start remote or work-from-home situations. Adjusting to a new working environment can be challenging, and it’s important to develop strategies that help you stay connected, even if you’re no longer sharing a physical space with your colleagues.
Since remote work can be intrinsically more isolating, consider hosting virtual team-building activities that can help you have fun with coworkers. Taking part in activities like online trivia, book clubs or playing virtual team games can be a great way to have fun and reconnect with coworkers without focusing solely on work.
You only share a few common interests with your coworkers
Another reason you might feel isolated at work is that you have little in common with your coworkers. If you work in an office where most people are much younger or much older, you might find it challenging to relate to them. Getting to know individual coworkers better can often reveal less obvious interests. Start conversations around your office and try to understand more about what people like and do in their free time. Some of your coworkers might surprise you.
Your workplace doesn’t prioritize community
Some working environments don’t support a sense of community. This might be because of an overly strict manager, inflexible rules or an overemphasis on productivity. Over time, these conditions can make you feel isolated and even adversely affect your mental health. Sometimes, the best way to overcome feelings of isolation is to change your environment. Moving on from a career that doesn’t let you be yourself can help you regain a sense of confidence, community and happiness.
It’s challenging for you to let others see your personality
You might find it challenging to let others see your personality while at work. Showing your personality and letting others get to know you might take extra time and patience, but it can be very rewarding. Remember to be kind to yourself and look for low-pressure opportunities to speak with individual coworkers rather than in group settings. This can help you combat feelings you may have of being overwhelmed or nervous.
Why it’s important to recognize feelings of isolated
Prolonged feelings of isolation, specifically in the workplace, may decrease the health, satisfaction and productivity of employees. Recognizing your feelings of isolation can help you develop solutions or try new methods for feeling less isolated. It’s important to discuss these feelings, because it’s common for many people to feel this way, even if you can’t tell right away. Decreasing feelings of isolation may improve your experiences at work, help increase your productivity and create a healthier lifestyle.
8 ways to feel less isolated at work
Whatever the reason for your feelings of isolation, you can take steps to feel more connected at work. Here are some strategies to try:
1. Do something kind
Being kind has many benefits. For one, it can help grow others’ affection for you, it can make you feel good and it can inspire further acts of kindness. Consider bringing in a baked good for your office, writing a thank you card to a coworker who helped you with something or giving each of your team members a small holiday gift.
Your kind gesture could be tiny, like complimenting someone’s work or following up on something they said. For example, if a coworker reveals something personal, like their child playing in a sports game or them buying a new car, ask them about the experience again later. This shows you care and listen and it can help you grow your relationships at work.
2. Make a friend
Feeling isolated can often mean you don’t feel socially connected to anyone at work. Developing a working relationship, even if it’s just with one person, can help combat feelings of isolation or loneliness. If you’re new to a position, try to find someone kind and work to get to know them. Ask them questions about themselves and find common interests. Over time, you may develop friendships that surprise you.
3. Help others get to know you
Being worried your coworkers don’t like you or that they won’t accept you can be a normal fear for anyone navigating a new social situation. Know that, most often, others share this same concern. While it may take some bravery, starting conversations and sharing stories can make it easier for others to learn more about you. Challenge yourself to take part more in team settings. Make jokes, add ideas and respond positively to things others say.
4. Talk to your manager
If you’re feeling isolated because of the actions of another team member, tell them. Explain how they’re making you feel and allow them to correct the behavior. For example, if they say something you find upsetting, respond with, “It makes me uncomfortable when you say things like that.” If they don’t respect your gentle request to stop, escalate the problem to a manager or supervisor.
It’s never OK for a coworker or group of coworkers to use derogatory language, act inappropriately or make you feel uncomfortable. If this happens, there are resources. Start by telling a manager, preferably via email or in writing, so you can document the situation. You might contact your organization’s human resources department if their response isn’t satisfactory.
5. Look for a different opportunity
Toxic work environments can be highly isolating. Despite your best efforts, you might not overcome the effects of working in an overly negative situation. It’s important to prioritize your mental health. Feeling isolated long-term can have negative consequences, and removing yourself from the environment might be the healthiest course of action. Consider searching for other opportunities to find a place where you feel valued, appreciated and respected.
6. Start a group
One way to develop a sense of community is to get your coworkers to connect about something outside of work. Remote teams can use digital networking tools. Many communication software programs have options to create groups or channels. Depending on the size of your organization, you might end up starting many groups for those who share common interests. You could talk about pets, children, house plants, cooking, cars, books or anything else you and the people you work with enjoy. This can help you feel closer to your coworkers and make it easier to feel included and involved.
7. Find common interests
You may feel isolated at work because you don’t think you have anything in common with other team members. With almost everyone you meet, you probably have at least one common interest. It can just take time to find it. Start more conversations with your coworkers to learn as much as you can about their hobbies, interests and past. The more you find in common, the more connected you can feel to those around you.
8. Get some rest
A common cause of feeling isolated is because of being tired or exhausted. If you have a lot of responsibilities, consider taking a day off to recharge and rest. You might ask your manager to re-prioritize some of your work so you feel less overwhelmed or exhausted. By decreasing levels of exhaustion, you may be more prepared to engage with others at work, which improves your feelings of isolation.
I hope you find this article helpful.
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