1 © Relational Values Alliancerelationalvalues.com/thriveGetting to Know You: Connected and Less ALONEOur world is experiencing a “loneliness epidemic” and this painful truth demands we take strategic, intentional actions to build stronger relationships (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, 2023).ALONENESS (or feeling lonely) can be described as feeling unsure if anyone truly knows or cares about you.One intentional step we can take to address loneliness is to focus on genuinely and progressively getting to know those we relate to and work with.Scan or click the QR code to watch this video. It illustrates how we are each hard-wired to connect with other humans.Pause and Reflect:After you watch this interaction between teens and the senior adults, complete these statements:1. These people seem to have experienced feeling less ALONE because they connected in simple ways like:••2. How did feeling less alone affect them?3. “When I am feeling ALONE, I tend to .” (do what?)4. In contrast, when someone takes the time to get to know me, I feel less alone. I feel grateful for these times because .”The Workplace Imperatives for a Relational CultureA strong case can be made for the increased priority of reducing “aloneness” even at work. There are many challenges in the workplace, but in a Gallup global survey, respondents were asked, “If you could make one change at your current employer to make it a great place to work, what would it be?”—The #1 answer (41%) said, “A change of culture!” (Gallup, Inc., 2023). Employees care about relationships at work!Turning Crisis into OpportunitiesA recent report on the “Loneliness Epidemic“ encourages us to create intentional strategies to learn about the personal lives of people around us. The reason why? We increase the likelihood that authentic social connections will develop when we feel truly known and cared for—as real people—individuals with passions outside of work, concerned citizens, and community members (Murthy, 2017).The GETTING to KNOW YOU worksheet and exercise (included) is intended to deepen how well we knowother people and help us plan how to “give first“ to others based on what we know. Set aside time with a friend, family member, or colleague to have these conversations: Pause and Reflect:Choose one of the five questions below to SHARE with a colleague, friend, or family member and then ask them to share in return:1. My family includes ; what about your family?2. One of my favorite sports teams is ; what is your favorite team?3. One of the places I would like to travel is ; where would you like to travel? 4. One of my favorite restaurants is ; what is one of yours?5. Something you might not know about me is ; how about you?Based upon this information, plan an intentional action where you give first to this person. You could: • Share an article or video about their favorite sports team or place they would like to travel. • Share a gift card to their favorite restaurant on an upcoming birthday or other celebration. Complete the Getting to Know You worksheet for yourself, give it to someone you would like to know better, and schedule a time to discuss responses.Vocational Fulfillment, Adequacy, and PurposeT.H.R.I.V.E. Solutions
© Relational Values Alliancerelationalvalues.com/thrive 2 ©Relational Values AllianceGetting to Know You Date Updated:Children, Close Family and Best Friend/s FavoritesSignificant Life ReflectionsShare below additional life reflections about you:Life Celebrations (Past)Life Celebrations (Present)Life Dreams (Future)If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? (Living or deceased)Something interesting about you which others might not knowOther significant datesFirst Name (Preferred) Last Name Birthday (month/day) Current City, State Workaversary (month/day/year) Store/CompanySignificant Other/Spouse Anniversary (month/day/year) Birthday (month/day)Name/Age Relationship Name/Age RelationshipName/Age Relationship Name/Age RelationshipName/Age Relationship Name/Age RelationshipName/Age Pets: Name/Type? Relationship Close Friend Close Friend Cold Drink Hot Drink SnackFood Dessert RestaurantMusic Group/Artist Sport Team/s HobbiesTop 3 Relational Needs Cell Phone: Scan or click the QR code for a breakdown from our team on the power of Getting to Know You.Scan or click the QR code to download this form electronically