Discovering the Power of People.
Making the Shift from Disconnection to Thriving Workplaces
I’ve felt the weight you’re carrying right now.
Disconnection is exhausting. You can feel it creeping into the heart of your organization—the strained conversations, the quiet frustrations, and the lack of energy that echoes through the team. Maybe it started with someone leaving unexpectedly, or maybe it’s been a gradual wearing down of the trust that once held your people together.
Now, you’re noticing the signs everywhere—fragmented teams, disengaged employees, and a culture that feels like it’s struggling to breathe.
And perhaps the hardest part? The metrics tell the same story: retention is down, productivity feels stagnant, and the reputation of your company isn’t shining the way it used to.
But I’ve learned something important—and it’s what I want to share with you today. It doesn’t have to stay this way.
Where It All Begins: Why Your People Are Everything
If you’re like me, you’ve seen glimmers of what’s possible when people truly connect.
Think back to the last time your team was thriving. Remember the buzz of energy that spread through every meeting, the ideas that flew across the table, and the moments of laughter that reminded you of the strength in connection?
That feeling isn’t gone—it’s just hidden beneath the layers of disconnection that have built up over time. And the first step to bringing it back is to re-center on the most critical part of your organization: your people.
I’ve seen it time and time again. When people feel deeply connected—to one another, to their work, to you as their leader—something shifts. Trust is built. Collaboration takes flight. Customers feel the difference. And across every level of the organization, you start to see the sparks of creativity and progress again.
Getting Real: What Disconnection Feels Like
I’ve worked alongside countless organizations over the years, and I know the pain of disconnection isn’t abstract—it’s something you feel.
Does this sound familiar?
- Turnover is higher than you’d like, and it feels like you can’t hold onto your most talented people.
- Team meetings feel off, with strained communication and low morale.
- Your culture doesn’t feel like it used to, and it’s hard to figure out how (or if) you can rebuild it.
I’ve seen what these challenges can do—not just to your results, but to the heart of your workplace. And I can tell you without a doubt: disconnection may be holding your organization back, but it doesn’t have to hold you hostage.
I Saw Something Extraordinary at Pike Place Fish Market
I have to be honest—FISH! was an accident. The idea came to me one day as I was strolling through Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market. But it completely changed my perspective on what’s possible when people are truly connected.
As I approached the fishmongers, I was struck by the sounds of joy and laughter. Fish were flying through the air, customers were grinning, and there was an energy I couldn’t quite put into words. Here were these amazing people, working long days in cold and wet conditions—and yet they couldn’t have been happier.
It went so far beyond just enjoying their day. These fishmongers created moments that brought people together—moments of connection, where trust, joy, and shared energy ignited something that couldn’t be ignored. Being there wasn’t just fun; it was transformational.
Right then, I asked myself: How could I bottle this energy and share it with the world?
That question became my passion—and FISH! was born.
Since then, I’ve spent over two decades sharing this philosophy, helping businesses, schools, hospitals, and even families rediscover the power of connection. What started at a fish market has grown into a movement—a global call to reconnect with what makes us human, what makes us thrive.
What Happens When We Make Connection a Priority?
If disconnection is part of your workplace story right now, I want to tell you what’s waiting for you on the other side.
When we’re intentional about reconnecting with our people, here’s what happens:
- Retention Soars: People thrive when they feel seen, valued, and part of something meaningful. They don’t just stay—they pour their hearts into your mission.
- Collaboration and Creativity Ignite: The best ideas come from people who trust one another deeply.
- Your Organization Shines: A connected culture is magnetic—customers notice, and so does every new hire who walks through your door.
This isn’t just wishful thinking. I’ve watched countless organizations make this shift, and the results are transformational. Forget survival—this is how you thrive.
It Starts With Small Moments
The good news? You don’t need a full-blown overhaul of your organization to get started. Pick one small thing today—whether it’s a heartfelt conversation, a smile, or a moment to appreciate someone’s effort.
Connection begins with small, intentional steps, but the ripple effects are enormous. Reconnect with your people. And as they begin to rediscover trust, collaboration, and joy—you’ll begin to witness the momentum of a culture that’s thriving again.
Because I’ve seen it with my own eyes: connection isn’t just a business decision. It’s the foundation for something far deeper. It’s what creates energy, trust, and the kind of magic that transforms everything it touches.
To Joy,
John