Detroit, MI — News about ‘The Great Resignation’ have led many employees thinking now is a good time for them to leave too. Research shows employees’ primary motive behind the mass exodus is the failure to develop relationships in their hybrid workplace. Employers can turn the tide of the “Great Resignation” to “Great Retention” without giving away big bonuses, pay raises, and extra vacation days. Instead, employers simply need managers to do a better job keeping their teams engaged, according to leading Digital Wellness author and human connection expert Mark Ostach, who works with Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial start-ups. 

A simple warm up exercise Ostach used to encourage co-worker connection during the pandemic has led to a tidal wave of reigniting human connection in a hybrid workplace. Ostach, who is writing a new book called “If You Really Knew Me…The Secret to Creating a Culture of Connection and Belonging”, based on his experience leading more than 200 virtual events over the past two years. He credits his traction to creating a safe environment for people to be vulnerable and fostering connection in the hybrid workplace through the simple prompt of “If You Really Knew Me…”. 

“The ‘If You Really Knew Me’ icebreaker breaks down the barriers employees have built up during the pandemic,” shares Ostach. “Once participants begin with “If you Really Knew Me”, they open up and begin sharing, it helps to create an atmosphere of connection. I describe it as a sort of relational release of built up tension from not being physically in front of each other. The exercise creates an authentic sense of connection in a hybrid workplace.”

If You Really Knew Me…

Responses from employees at Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurial startups included: 

If You Really Knew Me You’d Know That…

●      I have a brother with special needs

●      My all time favorite musician is saxophone player, KennyG

●      I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea.

●      My mother died last month and I’m struggling to get out of bed.

●      I’ve been estranged from my brother for the past 20 years

●      I have 2 overweight cats that sleep by my home office while I work all day

“The most impactful time spent facilitating virtual meetings is watching employees be more vulnerable and share their emotions,” says Ostach.  “I’ve seen C-Level executives offer information in a global meeting that puts them in a place of trust and vulnerability as they’ve shared the recent passing of a parent. I’ve seen new hires get to know their team in short order by learning about personal facts through the ‘If You Really Knew Me’ exercise.” 

Ostach gets a kick when he hears from former participants sharing that they are now incorporating the ‘If You Knew Me’ exercise with their team.  

About Mark Ostach:

Mark Ostach helps people find the courage to connect—with themselves, their purpose, and with the people in their lives—both online and offline. Ostach's goal is to restore energy and focus to organizations battling modern life’s non-stop pace and growing sense of disconnection. He’s done this with organizations like DTE, Consumers, Quicken Loans, MEDC, & Honigman, LLP, Thermo Fisher Scientific, BASF,  AllState, HItachi, and others. Ostach’s goal is to restore energy and focus to organizations and individuals battling modern life’s non-stop pace and growing sense of disconnection. A wellspring of energy and born empath, Ostach holds degrees in business, psychology and technology with an interest in behavioral neuroscience. 

A recipient of Crain’s Detroit Business 20 in Their 20s and Oakland County’s 40 Under 40 awards, he’s an experienced leader who’s helped create strong cultures for associations, businesses and nonprofits. Clients have shared that Ostach is insightful, engaging, creative, motivating, and empathetic. He works from a leadership model that supports people to become more present and engaged. Mark works to raise his clients’ levels of self-awareness and identify strengths to support movement towards personal & professional goals. 

As a member of the Digital Wellness Collective, a global trade organization for digital wellness experts and organizations, Ostach is determined to remind the world that human connection is the most powerful connection we have. A nationally recognized speaker on Digital Wellness, Ostach has done two TED talks and spoken to thousands of people all over the country, encouraging them to embrace a culture of digital wellbeing. 

Ostach released his book “Courage to Connect, Stories that encourage meaningful connection in your life”.