Connection in the Workplace

week 6

Reflecting on Connection in the Workplace

One of the key values I’ve been exploring during my placement is connection how I build relationships, communicate, and feel part of a team. Interestingly, when looking back at my autumn assessment review, I realised I had rated my sense of connection as only 5/10. Since then, I’ve been thinking more deeply about what “connection” actually means to me, and why I may have judged it that way.

At the moment, I feel that I have a genuinely good connection with everyone I work with. Being surrounded by supportive colleagues has helped my confidence grow, especially when contributing during discussions or getting involved in new tasks. I’ve definitely become more open, comfortable, and willing to share ideas.

However, one factor that keeps coming up is age. I am the youngest in the workplace, and although the age gap is only around ten years, it can sometimes feel much bigger. Comments like “oh, you’re the youngest” even when said casually highlight that difference and can shift the dynamic slightly. It’s not negative, but it does make me more aware of how I fit into the group and how others perceive me.

This has made me think about the role age plays in workplace connection.
For example:

• If there were someone midway between my age and my colleagues’ ages, would that naturally create a “younger group” that I fit into more easily?
• Or if someone significantly older joined the team, would that shift the dynamic so that the current 10-year age gap felt less noticeable?

It’s interesting how small differences in age can shape how connections form even though we all work together perfectly well. Reflecting on this has helped me understand that connection isn’t just about how well you get along; it’s also influenced by confidence, comfort, relatability, and how you see yourself within a group.

Overall, I feel my sense of connection has definitely strengthened during this placement. Understanding the impact age has on workplace relationships has helped me recognise why I once rated it lower, and how much I’ve grown since then.