Much of the twenty-first century experience separates us. People are disconnected. As good as television, movies, social media, and other forms of entertainment have become, these channels offer us diversion. Our chance to connect through entertainment is often minimal, and the relationships feel superficial. The nature of our work often separates us. One Florida-based technology leader told me, “Now we live in a time of virtual offices.”

I see many people search for meaningful connections, yet few go through the effort to create a substantial bond. Some of us have forgotten how to connect. Eddie, a scholar and counselor in Louisiana, said, “We need to offer greater connection and touchability with people.” In our discussions, he told me that work environments offer poor opportunities to touch and appreciate our differences. He worked with one corporation and consciously helped the workers increase the touchability of their work.

Other people simply don’t feel that meaning is part of their life; don’t know how to choose substance over fashion. People feel that something important is missing, and they don’t know how to add it to their life. Leaders help to connect people in a meaningful way. The work of a leader often fills a missing part of one’s psyche, and the sense of completion energizes one to purposeful action.