Why workplace connection matters more than ever in the age of AI

Picture this: A talented employee, once highly engaged, now merely going through the motions. Meetings feel transactional, conversations lack depth, and something is missing despite company efforts to boost morale. This scenario is playing out in workplaces worldwide, and according to Mimi Nicklin, Founder and CEO of Empathy Everywhere, the culprit is a deepening “Empathy Deficit”.

“For three decades, we have watched the Global Empathy Deficit deepen, creating wider gaps in connection, communication, and emotional engagement across our workplaces,” Nicklin told HRM Asia. “And yet, at the very same time, we have an entire field of psychology showing us that what we focus on grows. If we focus on what’s missing, the lack of understanding, and rising disconnection, we risk reinforcing it. But if we shift our attention to fill that gap and to create the understanding, belonging, and psychology safety that all humans – and therefore employees – need, we have a chance to rewrite the narrative.”

The power of positive psychology in the workplace

Positive psychology, which focuses on human potential and wellbeing, provides a powerful framework to combat workplace disconnection. Nicklin highlighted how this mindset shift can profoundly affect employee experience.

“In our workplaces, this impacts how employees feel, how included they perceive themselves to be, and how they find meaning in their work,” she noted. “It directly impacts how they perform – not because they have to, but because they feel deeply connected to something bigger than their job description.”

This connection is crucial, especially in a world where 51% of the global workforce is actively seeking an exit from their current roles, and 52% of employees report feeling chronically lonely. The solution, Nicklin asserted, lies not in retention strategies or performance reviews but in fostering a culture of belonging. “The answer is in Listening-Led Leadership – a leadership approach that connects our leaders to their people in understanding, curiosity and yes, organisational empathy,” she added.

Beyond happiness, positive psychology emphasises meaning and purpose—two essential drivers of engagement. Nicklin points to an alarming statistic: disengaging and presenteeism cost the global economy US$8.8 trillion annually.

“People are looking for a way out. Not because they don’t want to work, but because work has lost its meaning for them,” she said.

To reverse this trend, she recommended three key strategies for organisations:

1. Set ‘Purpose Targets,’ Not just Profit Targets: Employees need to see how their work contributes to something beyond financial returns. Work should feel meaningful, whether it is customer impact, community service, or cultural transformation.

2. Create a Culture of Psychological Safety: Employees cannot fully engage or find meaning without psychological safety. Organisations that invest in psychological safety experience better collaboration, stronger alignment with company values, and sustained performance.

3. Live Your Company Values: “Values are not what’s on the website; they are what can be felt in the hallways,” said Nicklin. Employees quickly recognise the difference between organisations that talk about inclusion and those that truly embody it.

The role of empathy in an AI-driven future

As AI and automation reshape the workplace, empathy and human connection are more critical than ever. Nicklin emphasised that AI is not here to replace humans but to reshape our work. “No matter how advanced technology becomes, the future of work will still be built on our ability to listen, connect, collaborate, and truly understand each other.”

READ MORE: Leading with heart: The power of empathy

She outlined key strategies for organisations preparing for this shift:

• Train Leaders to Listen More Than They Speak: “AI can process data, but it can’t pick up on the exhaustion in someone’s voice or the hesitation in what they’re not saying.” Leadership training must prioritise deep listening skills.
• Make Psychological Safety Non-Negotiable: AI can streamline workflows, but it cannot create trust. Without psychological safety, employees would not take risks or innovate.
• Build Human-Centric Cultures: With technology handling routines tasks, workplaces must become centres of belonging. Research shows that inclusion boosts performance by 56%, reduces turnover by 50%, and cuts sick days by 75%.
• Measure Engagement, Not Just Productivity: “AI will track productivity, but who’s tracking engagement? Who’s measuring how heard and valued people feel?” Nicklin challenges organisations to rethink what they prioritise.
• Use AI with Emotional Intelligence: Our interaction with AI reflects how we engage with each other. “Give this a go – ask ChatGPT something kindly and then abruptly. You’ll get two very different responses.” The way we communicate with AI mirrors our broader workplace culture.

As organisations navigate the intersection of technology and human connection, the businesses that thrive will be those that prioritise empathy. “The future of work isn’t AI or humans,” Nicklin concluded. “It’s AI with humans. Efficiency alone won’t make people stay. Empathy will.”

Mimi Nicklin is an internationally bestselling author, multi-award-winning empathy advocate, and the Founder of Empathy Everywhere, the world’s widest-reaching empathy training and engagement platform. As a global thought leader in empathy-led leadership, she has trained over 18,500 professionals in Fortune 500 organisations, specialising in Listening-Led Leadership, Multi-Generational Engagement, Psychological Safety, and Inclusion & Wellbeing. She is the host of the top 5-rated podcast MiMi YouYou show, and has appeared live on the BBC, reaching 85 million people, as well as sharing the stage with Bill Gates. Recognised as the Malaysian Female Leader 2024 and one of the Top 45 Sri Lankan Leaders 2024, Mimi continues to drive impactful change through empathy-led leadership.

She will deliver the closing keynote at HR Tech Asia on 7 May 2025. Titled Nurturing Connections, Belonging and Happiness in the Modern Workplace, her session will explore key pillars of workplace happiness and provide actionable insights for corporate leaders. She will share strategies for promoting a culture of belonging, turning employees into brand advocates, and applying positive psychology to strengthen workplace relationships. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on building more connected and engaged workplaces. Find out more at https://www.hrtechfestivalasia.com/.