Hey, it's Rachel Cook, your modern mentor.

I'm the founder of Lead Above Noise, where we help leaders activate performance and engagement without burning out. Whether it's boot camps,

keynotes, or pulse checks, we deliver workshops and programs that drive meaningful change.

If your workplace is ready for an activation boost, shoot me an email, Rachel at leadabovenoise.com.

So, I recently returned from my last flight of the year. And as we were rolling into the holiday

season, I will spare you the choice words that come to mind when I think of that particular airport

experience. But as I stood in the nightmare security line, this woman in front of me

suddenly drops her boarding pass. Yeah, it was like an old school paper one. And I looked down and I

saw a bunch of scribbles on it, little notes saying things like power bars and phone charger.

I saw it, she saw me see it, and we both started chuckling. It was just really relatable. And we

ended up having this great conversation about how we both tend to forget power bars and phone

chargers. And it just passed the time for us. Thinking about it later, I had an appreciation

for the realization that connection doesn't have to come from these big planned moments. Sometimes it's just about

catching the small opportunities to show up for someone and share a laugh or make them feel seen.

I think we need more of this mindset in the workplace. Amidst the big return to office battles

while we still wade through the great detachment, it just feels like we're missing

something essential.

So how can we start to build some moments of organic connection in the workplace without

relying on overblown policies or global corporate efforts?

Here are some things that come to mind for me.

First, create a culture of micro-moments.

Connection doesn't have to be grand.

...