N22 - Connection, Conversations, and Craving More
Hi there. I’m Dr. Bobbi Wegner.
Welcome to The Psychology of Teams and People: Insights from Within. I am a psychologist who lives at the intersection of psychology, business, and technology. I teach organizational psychology at Harvard and spend a lot of time inside companies across the globe. And, I am also the founder and CEO of Groops.
Groops bring experts in organizational psychology to help teams deepen cohesion and improve functioning, at scale. AI helps us provide ongoing insights and recommendations - and allows us to see themes across the team, within the organization, and between companies.
Each message includes (a) noticing and wonderings about everyday psychology at work, (b) a quote to think about, (c) a question to deepen understanding, and (d) something to try. Enjoy!
Noticing and Wondering
I think a lot about the psychology of human connection - especially how we engage with people we don’t know. The American Psychological Association (APA) found that people crave deeper connection with strangers, even though we tend to underestimate how fulfilling those interactions can be (APA Study).
By way of reminder, we are hardwired for connection. Social interaction isn't just a nice-to-have - it’s a fundamental part of our psychology, influencing our well-being, decision-making, and even team performance.
Next week I will be at Transform in Vegas meeting new people and keeping this insight top of mind.
In general, I notice - people often default to surface-level interactions, yet light up when asked something deeper.
I wonder - what would happen if we all intentionally engaged in more meaningful conversations, even in unexpected settings?
The APA study showed that deep conversations - even with strangers - make us feel happier and more connected than we expect. And yet, we hesitate, often out of fear that others won’t be receptive. But when given the chance, most people appreciate and welcome depth.
What might shift if we approached networking and casual conversations with curiosity rather than obligation? What if we asked better questions - ones that unlock insight, vulnerability, and real connection? I will keep this top of mind next week at Transform, and I invite you to think about this too.
A QUOTE TO THINK ABOUT
“To connect with strangers in a deeply personal way is one of the most valuable skills you can develop."
Source: Seth Godin, an influential author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert
DEEP-ish QUESTIONS
When was the last time you had a surprisingly deep conversation with a stranger? What made it memorable?
What’s a question you wish more people asked you?
If you could redesign how people engage at networking events, what would you change to make conversations more meaningful?
SOMETHING TO TRY
The 3-Question Challenge: Next time you meet someone new - whether at a conference, coffee shop, or team meeting - go beyond “What do you do?” and ask:
What’s something that has your attention right now?
What’s a recent experience that surprised you?
If you could instantly gain clarity on one thing, what would it be?
Notice how the conversation shifts when you invite depth. People often appreciate the chance to share something real. Let me know what you discover!
ANNOUNCEMENT
Unlocking Connection at Work with Groops
Want to foster deeper, more meaningful interactions in your team? Groops helps teams move beyond transactional communication to real connection. Through expert-led coaching and AI-powered insights, we equip leaders with the psychology-backed tools to cultivate trust, collaboration, and high-performing team dynamics.
If you're curious about how your team connects, functions, and thrives, let’s talk.
Thanks for reading and keep on connecting.
Best,
Bobbi
Bobbi Wegner, Psy.D.
Founder and CEO of Groops: helping teams feel and function their best
Lecturer at Harvard University in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
If you are curious about the cohesion and health of your team, book a complimentary 30 minute consultation HERE . Shoot me a note to find out more or to submit a question / problem at work and we will respond anonymously in the newsletter. info@joingroops.com .
