You can't move forward without understanding where you are. So get to know your environment. The people you work with. The industry you work in. Immerse yourself in the economics and business practices that affect your company, your clients, and your customers. Keep your ear to the ground. Be aware of what your competition is up to, and gain the upper hand. Build a support system for yourself and those within your community. Great leaders get connected. Stay connected. And use every ounce of information to their advantage. 

I think we all can agree that connecting and staying connected is important, particularly when it comes to networking and job search. It is easier to find a job when you have a job and to be a friend before you need a friend. But with so many pressures internal and external, how do you find the energy and the time to connect. Financial concerns and increased responsibilities at work can impact physical health. The job loss of a spouse, having family move (back) in with you can create stress and take a toll. If you are a Baby Boomer, not having enough saved for retirement or being on pace for retirement, can take your mind off of immersing yourself in your community and giving back.

MetLife just released the results on its 9th Annual Study of Employee Benefits Trends. Significantly, employees who felt positive and knowledgeable about their benefits, felt more loyal. Of course salary has a great deal to do with loyalty but it is no surprise that while productivity is up (“getting more for less”) the downside for employers is that 36% of employees hope to work for another employer in the next 12 months.

What is helpful about the study is it measured how employees feel and how employers feel and yes there is a gap. Moreover, there is “significant lack of awareness of how benefits are also driving loyalty. For example, while 38% of surveyed employers believe retirement benefits are important loyalty drivers, 64% of surveyed employees say they are.” The Metlife study showed that understanding company benefits leads to increased job satisfaction and employer loyalty. But For GenYers and GenXers, who like to receive information through social networks and on their mobile phones, employers have not evolved or resolved to make improved employee benefits communication a priority.

So despite all the challenges you face, you want to “connect”. If you now know that a better understanding of your benefits would lead to improved job satisfaction and less stress, but your employer’s benefit communications are lacking, what do you do? Suggest a lunchtime workshop? Maybe create a small group of Baby Boomers who could share ideas on how to prepare for retirement?

Being connected means being aware. Read the news whether in a conventional newspaper, online, or by listening to news radio like National Public Radio, KPFA, or KGO. . Just as it is important to take time to exercise and spend time with your family, it is important to be aware of what is going on. So read the MetLife study and see if it relates to you and if it does, see if you can create a small group to address the issues affecting you and your fellow employees. Discussing ideas, sharing information and brainstorming could provide you and others more information to reduce your stress and improve your overall satisfaction.

If you feel like all you have time for is to get up, go to work, go home, eat, watch a little TV or Internet and do it all over again, sit down and evaluate your satisfaction and your priorities. Take charge of your time. Commit to reading a business book or something to foster personal growth. You will be amazed what you can share and discuss. Take a class, finish that degree. Volunteer at something you love, help someone else get better. Connecting like everything else takes effort and focus. But if it leads to more satisfaction and happiness why not give it a try.