In our latest Epoch Live webinar, we looked back at Connect 2025 and shared key moments from the event. Held three weeks ago, the conference brought together leaders in employee experience to explore what meaningful connection looks like in a hybrid world. This webinar unpacked those conversations, offering practical insights on how companies can take those lessons forward.

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Here’s a recap of what we covered.

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Connection doesn’t just happen because people are in the same place

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One of the clearest takeaways from Connect 2025 was that proximity doesn’t equal connection. Just because people are physically together doesn’t mean they feel connected. In today’s hybrid environments, connection needs to be designed.

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Throughout the conference, speakers shared how they’re rethinking connection through rituals, team dynamics, and program design that encourages people to be seen and heard.

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Loneliness affects performance, not just morale

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Multiple sessions touched on the cost of loneliness. It’s not just a personal problem, it’s a business one. When employees feel isolated, it affects their creativity, engagement, and productivity.

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Speakers emphasized the role of psychological safety in building stronger teams. When people feel safe to show up, they’re more willing to take risks and collaborate in meaningful ways.

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Designing spaces and programs that drive connection

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Even without large budgets, organizations can create moments of connection. Whether it’s designing physical spaces that encourage interaction or supporting local champions to lead community-driven efforts, the goal is to make connection part of how work happens, not something extra.

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Speakers highlighted small but impactful actions that organizations can take. These include regular feedback rituals, casual team check-ins, and employee-led events that reflect local culture.

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Culture isn’t owned by HR

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One of the most repeated messages from Connect 2025 was that culture is everyone’s job. It’s shaped by front-line managers, modeled by executives, and sustained through systems that make connection part of daily work.

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When everyone plays a role, culture becomes more than a value statement. It becomes a shared experience.

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Proving the impact of connection

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A big topic was how to secure executive buy-in. The answer: data. Teams need to build their measurement muscle by using surveys, participation metrics, and sentiment tracking to demonstrate impact.

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Programs that feel intangible can be made tangible through feedback and analytics. This is key to sustaining support and scaling what works.

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What’s next at Connect 2026

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The conversation isn’t stopping here. Planning is already underway for Connect 2026, where we’ll continue exploring the intersection of connection, culture, and employee experience. Expect even more real-world strategies, peer stories, and data-backed insights.

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Click here to pre-register.