Connection & Well-being - The World Health Organization found that 25% of people struggled with depression and anxiety during COVID [1] - In 2023, the US Surgeon General called loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection a public health crisis, equating its harm to smoking 15 cigarettes a day [1] - Brandon McDaniel and Sarah Coin defined "technoference" as attachment to devices interfering with face-to-face relationships [1] Micro Moves for Connection - Three micro moves to foster connection: looking up, listening big, and lifting up [1] - Looking up involves shifting focus from devices to people to fully engage in conversations [1] - The University of Texas MCOME's Business School research showed that people with phones in a separate room had more cognitive capacity [1] - Big listening involves paying attention to small details to build trust and rapport [2] - The University of Warwick study states that four minutes of genuine connection can predict someone's actions and words [2] - Lifting up involves checking in with others, showing compassion, and encouraging them to talk about what excites them [2][3] Impact of Connection - Relationships can change the trajectories of lives and careers [1] - Lack of connection has ripples and effects in schools, workplaces, and communities [1]