You’ve probably heard the saying, “Work is work, not play.” But here’s the truth: if you treat work like it’s only about tasks and deadlines, you’re missing the part that actually makes teams thrive—interpersonal glue.

What’s that, exactly? 

Interpersonal glue is the sticky stuff that holds people together when things get tough. 

It’s not in your job description, but it shows up in the tiny moments: laughing about a Zoom mishap, discovering a shared love of ice sailing (who knew?), or swapping vacation stories before diving back into spreadsheets. These connections might feel small, but they build the kind of resilience that no project plan can.

In my recent Forbes article, I explore why this glue matters so much. Decades ago, my research showed that the biggest predictor of well-being wasn’t what happened at home—it was social support at work. And all these years later, that hasn’t changed. When people feel connected, they don’t just survive the grind; they actually enjoy working together.

Here’s the thing… You don’t need to turn your office into a therapy circle or overshare your deepest secrets during quarterly planning. 

Building glue can be as simple as saying hello and goodbye each day, remembering a teammate’s birthday, or celebrating the micro-moments when someone handles a tough situation with grace.

It’s showing curiosity about the human being behind the job title.

The payoff? Stronger collaboration, more trust, and a team that actually wants to stick together—pun intended.

👉 Want to dig deeper into how to create this kind of connection at work? Read the full article on Forbes here.