The Business Secret That’s Hiding Right in Front of You
You’re not just in business. You’re in the relationship business.
That might sound soft, even idealistic. But if you’ve ever lost a deal, struggled with retention, or felt your team was disconnected, you’ve felt the consequences of overlooking this truth.
Let’s talk about the secret most companies miss: Human value doesn’t show up on a spreadsheet, but it drives everything on it.
We Think We Know What We're Seeing
We make snap judgments. All of us.
About clients, colleagues, candidates, even ourselves.
And often we get it wrong.
Let me give you a simple example. I walked into a Napa auto parts store four days in a row... each time looking completely different. High heels one day. Cowboy boots the next. A fresh manicure one day. Grease under my nails the next.
Same person. Different packaging.
I could see the shift in how people looked at me each day. Like I was four different people.
But here’s the thing: I was the same. And so were they.
We just didn’t always see it.
That’s the trap we fall into as humans and as business leaders. We see a sliver of someone and treat it as the whole picture.
As fellow Canadian author* Malcolm Gladwell explains in Blink, our brains are wired to make fast decisions based on limited information. Sometimes this "thin slicing" helps us navigate the world. But in the workplace, these snap judgments often miss the depth and complexity of the person in front of us.
And in business, that can cost you opportunities, trust, and long-term relationships.
This isn’t just about social etiquette. In business, it affects how we:
Hire and promote
Partner and invest
Communicate and collaborate
Snap judgments might be efficient but they’re expensive when they’re wrong.
(* and yes! I just boldly & shamelessly placed myself in that same category😄)
Everyone Has a Story (and You Probably Don't Know It Yet)
Your colleague who seems withdrawn on Zoom? They’re not disengaged, they might be grieving.
Your vendor who missed a deadline? She’s caring for a sick parent.
Your star performer who suddenly quit? He’s going through a divorce and didn’t feel safe opening up.
We’re surrounded by stories. Real, human stories. But we rarely make space for them at work.
Here’s why that matters:
When people feel unseen, they disconnect. And disconnection is one of the most expensive liabilities in business.
Disengaged employees cost companies thousands per person annually. Disconnected clients become churn.
And what fixes it isn’t a new incentive program. It’s curiosity.
Curiosity creates bridges. It replaces judgment with inquiry. And it invites context over assumption.
Imagine a workplace where everyone felt invited to bring their full selves, not just the version that looks good on LinkedIn.
What You're Probably Missing in Your Network
Ever scrolled through your contacts and thought: Who is that? You’re not alone.
Most of us have hundreds (or thousands) of connections (on LinkedIn, in our inboxes, even on our teams) that we barely know.
But the bigger issue is this: we rarely ask who they really are.
What matters to them? What’s their story? What drives them or keeps them up at night?
The “why” behind someone’s work is where loyalty lives. And too often, we never get there.
The Quick Win: Get Curious, Not Clever
Here’s where it starts.
You don’t need a framework or a strategy deck. You need a moment of presence and a dash of curiosity.
Try these:
Notice someone’s accent? Ask where it’s from.
Spot a tattoo? Ask the story.
Hear a personal comment in conversation? Invite the follow-up.
See a social media post that stands out? Drop a thoughtful message.
You’re not being nosy. You’re being human.
And when you lead with curiosity, people let you in. And when they let you in, connection becomes collaboration.
Real Talk: Your Story Matters Too
This isn’t just about unlocking others. It’s also about showing up with your own story.
And yes, that can be scary.
We’ve been conditioned to lead with credentials. To “keep it professional.” But professionalism doesn’t have to mean performative.
When you share your why, your origin story, even a slice of your life, it invites others to do the same.
This is how trust is built. Not in policies. But in moments.
The Quiet Saboteur: Imposter Syndrome
Let’s talk about something that blocks connection before it even starts: Imposter Syndrome.
At a recent conference, I watched as incredible entrepreneurs, brilliant, seasoned people, walked in the door and immediately shrank.
They were likely thinking what I was thinking:
“I don’t belong here.”
“Everyone else is more successful.”
“Why would anyone want to connect with me?”
Sound familiar?
Here’s the kicker: most of the people in the room were thinking the same thing.
When you realize everyone has their own mental noise, it softens everything. It levels the playing field. And it gives you permission to reach out, anyway.
The Culture Shift HR & Leadership Needs to Embrace
If you lead a team, manage HR, or oversee EAP and wellness programs, this message is especially for you.
Creating a more compassionate workplace doesn’t start with budget. It starts with belief.
Do you believe:
That your people are more than their output?
That leadership includes empathy, not just execution?
That wellness is cultural, not just clinical?
If so, you’re already ahead.
Now it’s time to translate belief into behavior.
Practical Ways to Lead With Human Value
Here are some simple but powerful actions that bring this to life in the workplace:
1. Normalize Real Conversation
Build intentional check-ins into 1:1s
Ask: “What’s one thing outside of work you’re carrying right now?”
Model vulnerability as a leader, don’t wait for others to go first
2. Honor Both Challenge and Celebration
Create space for wins (without the fear of seeming “boastful”)
Ask: “Is there anything you’re proud of that I might not know about?”
3. Redesign Onboarding & Feedback Loops
Include story-based questions in onboarding
Add reflection prompts to feedback processes like: “What’s a challenge outside work that’s influencing you lately?”
4. Go Beyond Generic Wellness
EAPs are a start, but they’re underutilized
Build community-based, ongoing support (like what we offer at LifeChangesMag.com)
Address topics like divorce, trauma, caregiving and grief with real resources, while respecting privacy and confidentiality
What Happens When You Get This Right
When companies lead with curiosity and compassion, here’s what happens:
Turnover drops because people feel seen, not just spent
Performance rises because people bring more of themselves to the table
Conflict reduces because curiosity replaces assumption
Innovation grows because safety fuels creativity
It’s not magic. It’s human-first leadership.
The Business Case for Human Connection
Let’s be pragmatic.
This approach isn’t just kind. It’s smart.
Disconnected employees cost organizations $2,000–$3,000 per person annually
Teams with high psychological safety are more innovative and productive
Companies that invest in human-first practices see higher retention and engagement
You don’t have to overhaul your org chart. Just start asking better questions.
Closing Thoughts: The Secret Is in Sight
The business secret that’s hiding in front of you?
It’s not a tactic. It’s not a tool.
It’s the human being across from you.
When you stop looking for leverage and start listening for stories, you build something that lasts.
We often think connection comes after success.
But in reality, connection is what success grows from.
So next time you walk into a meeting, open your inbox, or hop on Zoom, pause for a moment.
Ask yourself: Who’s the human here?
Then treat them like one.
Genuine human connection is always the best place to start in any relationship. In business, it transcends transactions.
Two Ways to Go Deeper
If this resonated, here are two ways to keep the conversation going:
• Leave a comment: What’s helped you build more human-first business relationships?
• Visit LifeChangesMag.com to explore tools and community for navigating life’s hardest seasons, at work and beyond.
This article was written by Deena Kordt and featured in her ‘Human First’ LinkedIn Newsletter.
📖 You can subscribe here.
Meet the Author - Deena Kordt
Deena Kordt, publisher of Divorce Magazine Canada, Life Changes Magazine, host of the Life Changes Channel podcast, is also an author & speaker from Southern Saskatchewan with a passion for inspiring personal growth and community support. Growing up on a farm and ranch, she developed strong small-town values and a deep sense of community. Deena has had a diverse career, including roles as a nurse, librarian, and reiki master, but her most cherished role is as a mother.
Deena's books, podcast, magazines, blog and presentations aim to help individuals reconnect with their inner strength and joy, encouraging them to embrace life with courage and resilience. She has overcome significant personal challenges, including the loss of two brothers and living in an abusive situation, which has fueled her mission to support others on their healing journeys.
Known for her adventurous spirit and rock 'n roll heart, Deena believes in the power of a supportive community of women. She invites you to join her in exploring life with curiosity and courage.
Awards and Recognition:
2023 Womanition Trail Blazer Award Nominee
2024 Soroptimist International Ruby Award Winner
Deena has been featured on several podcasts and magazines, co-hosts the “Shift Happens Show” and is working on her memoir.
Note: The author, compiler and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party due to these words coming from the author’s own opinion based on their experiences. This account is based on the author’s own personal experience. We assume no responsibility for errors or omissions in these articles.
