I once attended a retreat where we sat in rows.  At the start of the event, we were asked to find out a few things about the person seated next to us and then introduce them to the group.  While the activity was a good way to break the ice, the “row” effect minimized the impact of our bonding together.  Making one small change – that of changing the seating arrangement from rows to a circle made all the difference in the activity. 

As we sat in a circle, we were able to see the person’s face and their expressions as they spoke.  We were better able to get a feel for those in the group because we could make eye contact and smile at them as they shared.   Taking the time to connect is critical both in the work environment and in life.

Great leaders connect with those that they lead.