The Surprising Science Behind Teamwork, Trust & Engagement | Di Gates, Connection Heroes

In this episode of Fear Less, Do More, host Gill Hunter sits down with Di Gates, founder of Connection Heroes, to explore the importance of human connection in the workplace and why it has never been more critical for team engagement, collaboration, and employee wellbeing. Drawing on her journey as an entrepreneur, athlete, and leadership expert, Di shares how her early life and sporting experiences shaped her understanding of trust, teamwork, and effective leadership.Gill and Di also discuss how organisations can rebuild connection in hybrid and remote teams, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workplace culture, and why companies need to prioritise employee engagement and wellbeing to drive sustainable performance. Backed by neuroscience and practical strategies, this episode provides actionable insights for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners who want to create connected, high-performing teams in the modern workplace.Whether you’re interested in leadership development, workplace culture, team collaboration, employee engagement, hybrid work strategies, or the future of work, this episode is packed with insights on putting human connection at the heart of organisational success.Key Topics CoveredDi Gates’ entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Connection HeroesHow sporting experiences and early life shaped collaboration and teamworkWhy human connection boosts team performance and employee engagementThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workplace dynamics and leadershipBuilding trust, vulnerability, and psychological safety in teamsStrategies for creating meaningful connection in hybrid and remote work environmentsThe role of neuroscience in understanding team dynamics and human behaviourInnovative training methods that drive lasting behavioural changePrioritising employee wellbeing and engagement for long-term successThe future of work and intentional leadership practices to foster connectionChapters00:00 Introduction to Connection Heroes and Human Connection03:03 The Journey of an Entrepreneur: Di Gates' Story05:54 Influences and Inspirations: The Role of Family and Role Models09:00 The Impact of Early Experiences on Business Mindset11:57 Transitioning from Agency to Collaboration: The Birth of Stick Theory15:09 Adapting to Change: The Shift During the Pandemic17:47 Building Trust and Connection in Remote Teams21:07 Developing a Scalable Product for Connection Heroes24:14 Connection Heroes vs. Villains29:04 The Importance of Human Connection35:08 Navigating Hybrid Work Environments41:59 The Science Behind Connection46:37 Fearlessness in Business and LifeConnect with Di Gates on Linkedinhttps://uk.linkedin.com/in/digatesVisit the Connection Heroes Websitehttps://connectionheroes.co.uk/Find out more about your host Gill Hunterhttps://squareonelaw.com/people/gill-...Find out more about Square One Lawhttps://squareonelaw.com/Find out more about ‘Fear Less, Do More’https://squareonelaw.com/insights/fear-less-do-more/If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy this onehttps://youtu.be/fDSPZMM7Ag0?si=fhIpXLxcJEN4zKm1This podcast was produced and recorded at Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio🦩https://www.flamingoheights.co.uk/For any enquiries or feedback regarding this podcast, email us at ⁠[e-mail]⁠ with the subject 'PODCAST’.