Why Connection and Belonging Matters in the Workplace

Loneliness at work isn't about how many people you sit near. It's the gap between the connection someone wants and what they actually feel, and it's quietly draining engagement, retention, and productivity across even the most "connected" teams. In this episode, Sanja Licina, PhD sits down with talent management leader Megan Bickle to unpack why proximity doesn't equal belonging, why managers and remote workers are among the loneliest, and what the data actually says about the business cost of disconnection. More importantly, they get practical. Megan and Sanja break down concrete, mostly free moves at three levels: what organizations can build into their culture and listening strategy, what managers can do in a single one-on-one, and what any individual can start this week. If you own employee experience, engagement, or people strategy, this one gives you a playbook, not just a diagnosis. Useful links: Megan Bickle on LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganbickle/ Sanja Licina, PhD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjalicina/ Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com/ Book a demo: https://info.questionpro.com/employee-listening