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Much of the advice given to improving human interactions revolves around making an emotional connection. Books, speaking and communication courses emphasize it. The whole point of emotional and social intelligence is to make an emotional connection. In many situations, bedside manner is considered more important than solving the real problem.

Sometimes it may seem that your co-workers don’t want to make an emotional connection. When they are in a rush, when the monetary value involved is low, and if the service is taken for granted. For example, if your boss wants to know the status of a project, he or she may not want to get into a long conversation or explanation. “Just tell me the bottom line, thank you very much.”

The emotional connection can be brief, almost fleeting. And you can ruin it all by a thoughtless act or gesture. The point is, however brief the encounter, use your body language and words to make the connection. Yes, your co-workers will notice. Especially if you fail to make the connection.