Let me start with a confession that might surprise you.
I study toxic workplace behaviour for a living. Not exactly the most uplifting career choice, right? I spend my days helping organisations deal with bullying, harassment, and all the messy human drama that makes work miserable for everyone involved.
But here's the thing - after working with tens of thousands of people across Australia, I've discovered something that gets me genuinely excited to jump out of bed every morning. It's not about fixing what's broken. It's about building what's brilliant.
See, behind every toxic workplace, every failing team, every leader who's struggling to connect, there's usually the same root cause: people have forgotten how to genuinely connect with each other.
And mate, that's a bloody tragedy because we're literally wired for connection. It's as fundamental to our wellbeing as food, water, and shelter. When we don't have it, our brains experience actual physical pain. Yet in our hyper-connected digital world, we're lonelier and more isolated than ever before.
Here's a reality check that'll knock your socks off:
58% of people reckon they could survive a day without talking to their partner easier than giving up their phone for 24 hours. We're more interested in how many "likes" we get on Instagram than how many people actually like spending time with us.
But I've got some brilliant news for you!
Connection isn't some mysterious talent that only the naturally charismatic possess. It's not about being the life of the party or having some magical people gene. Connection is a skill - and like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and mastered.
I'm taking you on a journey through my comprehensive 9-part blog series that'll transform how you think about relationships, both personally and professionally. We're diving deep into what I call the Connect-Ability Formula - five science-backed steps that'll help you build relationships that actually stick.
"In the workplace of the future, relationships trump rank. More than ever, the ability to connect, to build trusting relationships that stick is more important than ever."
Here's what we'll explore in this 9-part series:
🖤 Part 1: The Connection Conundrum - Why being last picked at school still shapes your career, and the neuroscience behind why exclusion hurts like hell. Which connection killer are you most guilty of?
🖤 Part 2: Future-Proofing Your Career - How robots are changing work forever, and why human connection is your ultimate competitive advantage. What's your biggest fear about the future of work?
🖤 Part 3: Your Relationship Audit - The simple exercise that'll change how you see your network (spoiler: not all connections are created equal!). When did you last audit your relationships - and what will you discover?
💛 Part 4: Step 1 • Seek Similarities - The Trust Game - Why your brain decides who to trust in 33 milliseconds, and how to hack first impressions. What's the most interesting commonality you've found with someone completely different?
💙 Part 5: Step 2 • Boost Belonging - The Belonging Factor - The cake incident that proves exclusion is physical pain, and Google's secret to high-performing teams. How do you make sure nobody feels like "Poor Paula" on your team?
❤️ Part 6: Step 3 • Give Generously - The Vulnerability Paradox - How being a "flasher" transformed a failing manager, and why showing your real self builds trust. What vulnerability could you share that might transform how people see you?
💚 Part 7: Step 4 • Share Stories - The Story Advantage - Why logic tells but stories sell, plus the bean theory that changed everything. What's your go-to story that always gets attention and drives action?
💜 Part 8: Step 5 • Create Chemistry - Connection Chemistry - How to get high at work (legally!), and the science behind oxytocin and relationships. When did you last get a proper connection high at work?
🖤 Part 9: Your Action Plan - Putting it all together with a formula that actually works. Which step will you master first, and who will you practice it on?
✅ Bonus: The Complete Formula - Your ultimate guide to mastering all five steps
Whether you're a leader trying to build better teams, an employee wanting stronger workplace relationships, or someone who just wants to feel more connected in life, this series is for you.
I'll share real stories from my work (names changed to protect the innocent!), break down the science in ways that actually make sense, and give you practical strategies you can use immediately. No fluff, no theory for theory's sake - just real tools that create real results.
By the end of this journey, you'll understand why connection is your secret weapon in an AI world, how to spot your connection killers, and most importantly, how to build relationships that genuinely stick.
Ready to transform how you connect? ✨
Let's dive in together - your future self will thank you for it! 💯
✨ Click the link below to check out Blythe’s Connect-Ability Playbook! ✨
