Gallup says that 2 in 10 of us have a “best friend” at work. They also say that organizations that promote these kinds of personal connections can increase profit and lower the number of safety incidents. But even if your best friend is not someone you work with, the research shows that workplace friends, in general, make you more productive. Seems counterintuitive, right? “Well, we can’t just gab all day long!” Yes, of course. But there is something magical about working closely with people you like, trust, and respect. It changes how you approach and do your work. So I would encourage you, as leaders, to do the counterintuitive and help foster the conditions that lead to these personal connections. How can you increase connection?