CONNECTION BY DESIGN.

Christmas is fast approaching …. again!

I know many of us are preparing to step away from our work routines and into time with our families and friends. At Interaction, I’m reminded how lucky we are to have a work family that feels genuinely connected not by accident, but by design.

Like many organisations today, we don’t always have the daily in-person touchpoints that naturally build relationships. That means we have to be intentional about how we create connection, community, and a sense of belonging.

And this matters, because as we move into 2026, most of us face a very real challenge — we are living in the most digitally connected age in human history, while feeling more disconnected from one another than ever.

Across generations, people entering new roles today are shaped by a world that is highly connected digitally, yet not always designed for deeper connection, open dialogue, or shared understanding. The online world can be vibrant, but it can also limit the kinds of human interaction that help build confidence, empathy, and communication skills.

One of the things I think we do differently at Interaction is also one of the hardest things to measure — we create meaningful human connection.

Across our programmes, whether with early careers, future leaders, or teams navigating change the same theme keeps surfacing — people are craving real connection.

• Not more content.

• Not more slides.

• Not more information.

• Connection.

For us, this isn’t an add-on or a ‘nice to have’ — connection isn’t a by-product of learning. It IS the learning.

The kind that comes from being in a room together, exploring ideas, challenging assumptions, trying something new, and realising that the people beside you see the world differently and that this diversity of thought is a strength.

The kind that builds confidence, empathy, resilience, and shared purpose.

These moments don’t just support learning; they transform it. They cut through digital noise and help people feel seen, valued, and part of something bigger. In a world of echo chambers and curated feeds, that experience has become rare and precious.

As we step into 2026, our commitment is simple. Create the spaces where people reconnect with themselves, with each other, and with the work they do.

Whether you’ve partnered with us to develop your managers in human centred collaborative leadership, joined our Talent Forum, or supported the development of emerging talent in your organisation — we thank you! Your belief in people-first learning is what makes this community special.

As we begin to celebrate Interaction’s 30-year anniversary, here’s to a more connected, more human 2026. And to the next 30 years of making a difference.