We are living in what some are calling “a loneliness epidemic.” The holidays, a time for celebrating our connections to each other, only amplify feelings of loneliness for many people. As we are more connected, digitally speaking, than ever before, we have never been more disconnected from one another as human beings. We are tackling this issue head-on today! I’m thrilled to bring you a timely interview with a husband-and-wife team that knows what it means to stick together in partnership. They give us insights into their unique partnership approach, the concept of “sticking together” in an organizational context, and practical strategies for building cohesive teams. Lee and Julie view their current work as the most important of their careers, as it addresses loneliness and the impaired social skills that have emerged since the COVID-19 pandemic in our country. This topic is essential to all of us who have lost our muscle of human connection, and we can rebuild it–one intentional step at a time. Are you ready to improve your connection skills? Join us now!

Dr. Lee Colan and Julie Davis-Colan co-founded The L Group in 1999, driven by a personal calling to equip and encourage leaders to achieve healthy growth. They are CEO advisors, executive coaches, and bestselling authors of 16 leadership books translated into 10 languages. Lee is a former chief human resource officer, organizational psychologist, and leadership consultant who has worked with some of America’s top companies. Julie is a corporate health strategist and leadership consultant who has spearheaded the implementation of corporate wellness initiatives for many of America’s leading organizations. In this episode, Lee and Julie discuss their collaborative work in leadership development, organized culture, and their newly released book: Healthy Leadership. Their next book will be published in September of 2026.  

Show Highlights:

• Lee and Julie’s writing process: Pinpointing what the world needs to hear (in their next book) through their consulting work
• Social skills are skills that need to be practiced.
• Multiple factors have contributed to loneliness since the COVID pandemic.
• Fact: We were born to connect. All of our efforts to live a healthy lifestyle (nutrition, exercise, good sleep, etc.) are canceled out by our lack of social connections.
• The quality of our relationships is integral to living a long, healthy life. 
• Action steps of Colan’s model to improve your connection skills:
• Reach out. “If you’re in line, get offline!” Everyone wants to be seen, heard, and acknowledged.
• Seek understanding. Find out the story behind the person and find common points of connection.
• Make memories. Initiate shared experiences, whether with new friends, old friends, or teams at work. 
• Check in. A text, voicemail, email, or phone call can help cement your connection to another person. Lean into both difficult and celebratory situations by showing up. 
• Rituals are an important part of connecting us and creating memories, whether with family, friends, or work teams. 
• Creating connections produces positive physiological and psychological outcomes.
• Even remote workers can create intentional points of connection within their teams. 
• One key takeaway from Dr. Lee: “Take one little baby step. Reach out to somebody today.”
• One key takeaway from Julie: “Make a commitment to reaching out to someone each day. Your life will be much more enjoyable, and you will be happier. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Resources:

Connect with Julie Davis-Colan and Dr. Lee Colan:

Website and book, Healthy Leadership: How to Thrive in the New World of Work

Connect with Meg:

Get Meg’s FREE download, Finding Your Perfect Match: A Coach's Self-Reflection Guide.

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