When Connection Fails, Performance Follows.pdf

Discover how workplace loneliness impacts performance and engagement and how to create connected, high-performing teams anywhere.

1. You see your team every day. They show up, hit deadlines, answer emails. Everything
looks… fine.
But what if it isn’t?
The Invisible Struggle at Work
Loneliness at work isn’t just a feeling—it’s a performance killer. And it’s more common than
you think.
▪Ideas stop flowing when people feel invisible.
▪Innovation grinds to a halt when employees hold back.
▪Engagement dips when doing the minimum feels safer than speaking up.
▪Retention drops because disconnected employees quietly start searching for a new role.
Harvard Business Review calls it a $154 billion problem for U.S. companies each year. That’s
the cost of employees feeling unseen, unheard, or unsupported.
And if your team spans continents? The gap grows. Distance amplifies the quiet frustration.
Global Teams Don’t Have to Feel Disconnected
Offshoring isn’t inherently bad—it’s the way it’s done that makes the difference. When offshore
teams are treated as “help in another time zone” rather than full partners, they feel invisible.
Invisible employees disengage. They underperform. They leave.
True connection, however, changes everything.
Loneliness Doesn’t Care About Geography
Even a hybrid or local team can feel isolated if connection isn’t intentional. Gallup data shows
that work setup directly affects how lonely employees feel and the following report loneliness:
WHEN CONNECTION FAILS,
PERFORMANCE FOLLOWS

2. ▪Fully remote employees: 25%
▪Hybrid employees: 21%
▪Fully on-site employees: 16%
Assuming connection will happen naturally is a recipe for disengagement.
A Different Way to Lead

Solving loneliness isn’t about perks or wellness stipends. It’s about building real, structural
connection, and that can only be achieved with intentional practices.
▪Ritualize connection: Celebrate wins, share feedback, and foster real dialogue.
▪Model it at the top: Leaders set the tone. If you listen, your team will too.
▪Redesign offshoring with belonging in mind: Offshore teams want to contribute to
something bigger than tasks.
How We Bring Connection to Life at iSupport Worldwide
We believe offshoring should never mean “out of sight, out of mind.”
Our approach ensures employees feel supported, seen, and connected:
▪We listen first: Deep discovery into your goals and employee needs guides hiring and
onboarding.
▪We remove friction: Ergonomic workspaces, 24/7 support, and wellness programs keep
employees engaged and performing at their best.
▪We build communities, not tasks: Employees are connected to peers, leaders, and the
company vision—so they stay invested long-term.
At iSupport Worldwide, connection isn’t an afterthought. It’s the foundation.
Closing Thought
Loneliness might be changing the way people experience work, but it doesn’t have to define your
workplace. With the right approach, you can expand globally and keep connection at the center.
Are you ready to build offshore teams that feel less like headcount and more like home?
Talk to iSupport Worldwide today and see how we keep teams engaged, productive, and
unstoppable. Email: [email protected]
US-Owned. Dedicated Teams. Transformative Growth.