The Power of Connection: How to Grow Engagement Through Manager-Employee Relationships
A trusting manager-employee relationship is the cornerstone of a thriving workplace. In fact, an employee’s direct relationship with their manager accounts for 70% of the variance in team engagement, according to research by Gallup. When managers cultivate meaningful, psychological safe connections with their employees, it sets the stage for higher engagement, better performance, and a more positive work culture.
Yet, despite its critical importance, many leaders overlook the need for relationship-building in favor of more immediate priorities, like meeting deadlines or closing deals. The result? Missed opportunities for fostering engagement and improving team outcomes.
This 1-hour webinar will equip you with actionable strategies to cultivate an inclusive workplace culture by nurturing relationships at work. Our expert panel will cover how:
- Relationship quality directly impacts employee engagement and productivity
- Leaders can strengthen relationships with their teams with specific tips you can implement right away
- To effectively prioritize relationship-building, even in remote and hybrid workplaces
- To navigate and enhance relationships on multigenerational, diverse teams
Watch the webinar on demand for expert insights that will help you transform workplace relationships into a foundation for long-term success.
Meet the Panel
Jackie Ferguson, CDE | Co-founder and VP of Content, Programming, and Products, The Diversity Movement
Jackie Ferguson is co-founder and vice president of content and programming at The Diversity Movement. A member of the 2023 Inc. Female Founders 200 list, she wrote the bestselling The Inclusive Language Handbook: A Guide to Better Communication and Transformational Leadership. Ferguson hosts “Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox” a podcast cited among the top 5% downloaded globally.
Donald Thompson, CDE | Co-founder and CEO, The Diversity Movement
Donald Thompson, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 SE Award winner, founded The Diversity Movement to fundamentally transform the modern workplace through diversity-led culture change. Advising executives across the globe, Thompson builds on his experience as a multi-exit CEO and board member across diverse sectors, including technology, manufacturing, healthcare, marketing, and professional services. Recognized by Inc., Fast Company, Forbes, and others, Thompson is author of the award-winning leadership memoir Underestimated: A CEO’s Unlikely Path to Success and co-author of the The Inclusive Leadership Handbook.
Debbie Jongkind RD, LDN, NBC-HWC, PCC | Senior Vice President of Coaching and Leadership Development, Workplace Options
As the SVP of Coaching and Leadership Development at Workplace Options, Debbie is responsible for personal and professional development programs designed to support the growth of individuals and teams. She has had the privilege of leading an international team of professional coaches for 11 years. Her career has focused on wellbeing, training, coaching, and leadership development. Debbie lives and works in Raleigh, North Carolina and has been fortunate enough to train coaches and leaders on 6 continents.
Michael Valverde| Director of Product Marketing, Envestnet | Yodlee
As a business advisor with a passion for storytelling, Michael helps corporate leaders create meaningful connections that inspire and unite teams. Through his diverse leadership experience, Valverde guides companies in crafting narratives that not only drive business success but also foster trust and engagement. By harnessing the power of shared meaning, he helps empower leaders to cultivate relationships that enhance workplace culture and drive sustained performance.
