By Richard Harbridge, peer group leader
In an era defined by hybrid work, emerging technologies like AI, and shifting employee expectations, one factor stands out as the true engine of success: human connection.
Ciara Byrne works as National Director, Internal Communications & Engagement at Doane Grant Thornton LLP (Canada) in Toronto and shared her insights at a recent employee experience group meeting
At a recent meeting in our Toronto-based employee experience peer group, Ciara Byrne who works as National Director, Internal Communications & Engagement at Canadian accounting firm Doane Grant Thornton underscored how authentic communication, purpose-driven culture, and genuine employee connection remain the foundation of every truly great workplace, even in the AI era.
As Ciara said:
“There is no employee without an employer, and no employer without an employee—AI is just the edge. The heart of every great workplace is people.”
This article shares insights from her talk and let’s start both expectations and the workplace landscape has fundamentally shifted.
The Changing Workplace Landscape
Today’s employees expect more than salaries and titles; they want support, a focus on mental well-being, and a deeper sense of mission. While in the workforce today some work fully remote, others work in office, or split time between home and the office, creating an environment of belonging is key. Technology—from advanced communication platforms to AI-driven workflows—can bring teams closer or cause fragmentation, depending on how leaders implement them.
In other words, it’s about balancing tech and touch. In terms of the hybrid and remote realities, studies indicate that fully remote workers can feel more isolated if not actively engaged. According to Statistics Canada, just 18% of Canadians currently work from home, yet other examples and studies show that group tends to report a higher risk of loneliness if workplace interactions are lacking.
There’s also AI’s rising role, where automation may handle repetitive tasks, but Ciara stressed it’s no substitute for genuine human interaction. Used thoughtfully, AI can free people to connect more deeply and creatively.
Why Connection Defines a Great Workplace
Ciara referenced the seminal book Reinventing Organizations by Frederic Laloux to illustrate a shift away from rigid hierarchies toward models that value autonomy, purpose, and trust. The book highlights organizations morphing and shifting over time, using colours to categorize. From the day of the "amber or orange” organization" (inputs, outputs, and people as cogs in a wheel) to a new kind of organization, a "teal organization," where the human is at the centre, where they’re consulted and it’s collaborative. “Our leadership programs leverage the book Reinventing Organizations to coach our high performers,” shared Ciara.
According to Gartner, employees in “human-centric” work models are 3.8 times more likely to be high performers. This underscores a key reality: connection and belonging aren’t just buzzwords—they directly impact productivity and innovation.
Culture remains a differentiator: Ciara talked about from purpose to profit citing a Harvard Business Review study which found that 58% of purpose-driven organizations grew by over 10% in a three-year period. People want to know how their work benefits communities, clients, and each other—beyond just revenue. This is key at Doane Grant Thornton as Ciara said:
“our purpose is to help clients, colleagues, and communities thrive, and it's deeply understood by our teams. We believe if we follow our purpose, profit will follow.”
Also in terms of company culture, it’s also about consistency in care. Doane Grant Thornton has appeared on “Best Workplaces” lists for 17 consecutive years. Ciara attributes this to a firm-wide ethos of “making a difference one relationship at a time,” which guides everything from hiring decisions to daily interactions.
AI also has positive potential when it comes to reclaiming connection. It’s about enhancing human work, not replacing it. Using a “roving reporter” model, the communications team can operate like an internal newsroom. Communicators can connect with employees and tell great narratives that are engaging, real, and meaningful. This requires a dynamic environment where AI supports this model, rather than replace it. Ciara shared some of her team’s own journey with an AI pilot and highlighted that instead of letting AI dictate communication it can be used to “enhance and create a more consistent voice, leverage our established key messages, or be based on notes to help establish great first drafts that writers can then bring to life.”
Finally, on the topic of connection, Ciara covered fostering true engagement. AI tools can help enhance quality and give more time back or offer new ways to weave procedural communication with important human stories that have a deeper connection. These types of stories require a greater human touch. Freeing people from tedious tasks opens space for higher-value work, such as personal outreach, creative problem-solving, and community-building efforts. Importantly, it also changes how we work, giving us new insights and helping us adapt and change.
As an example, seeing how much we speak in our own team meetings versus others with AI assistance can help us as leaders reflect on whether we can be better at sharing the lead, listening better, and driving change from within our own teams. Couple this with a great sharing, collaboration, and community culture and you have a real amplifier for accelerated progress and positive change.
Real People, Real Impact
Great workplaces prove their commitment by spotlighting actual employees, not generic slogans. One standout example is Doane Grant Thornton’s “Discover Your Purple” campaign.
The campaign had two main ingredients:
1. Authentic Stories
Rather than stock photos, the firm features real colleagues and stories of those who rock climb, volunteer, or balance caregiving with career growth. This personal touch resonates far more than bland corporate speak. This isn’t just done externally but is key to internal events such as in town halls, where having real employees sharing real stories matters today more than ever. This enables leaders to also embrace vulnerability, connection, and authenticity which is important in the era of AI.
2. Shared Narrative
These stories show how care and support allow employees to flourish inside and outside the office—and bring that energy back into their work. A BetterUp survey found that employees who feel a strong sense of belonging can see up to a 56% increase in job performance.
Ciara noted that an environment of trust and empathy motivates people to stay, grow, and collaborate. That sense of belonging doesn’t come from expensive perks; it arises from leaders who genuinely value each person’s voice and aspirations.
Leader Takeaways
From this great discussion with Ciara here are four ways to put people first—without losing sight of business goals or technological efficiencies:
1. Spark Genuine Conversations
Host regular town halls, open forums, or casual meetups where employees can share ideas and personal experiences. Real voices, not corporate jargon, build stronger bonds.
2. Leverage AI for the Mundane
Use AI to handle repetitive or data-heavy tasks—freeing communicators and managers to focus on high-touch interactions and creative thinking.
3. Lead with Purpose
Show each team member how their tasks support the organization’s broader mission. Purpose fuels motivation, loyalty, and performance.
4. Celebrate Whole Lives
Recognize that employees bring their full selves to work. By respecting personal passions, well-being, and diverse backgrounds, leaders foster loyalty and reduce burnout.
People are at the Heart of Every Workplace
As Ciara Byrne reminded everyone at the employee experience group meeting, new technologies like AI may transform how we work, but they don’t redefine why we work. At the core of every thriving organization are individuals who crave connection, purpose, and the opportunity to make a difference. By creating a culture that values employee voices, supports well-being, and remains open to fresh ideas, leaders can harness technological advances without sacrificing authenticity.
When you anchor your culture in respect, empathy, and real human stories, you build a workplace ready to adapt and excel—no matter how the world around us changes. By focusing on connected teams, open communication, and meaningful purpose, you’ll be well-equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Learn more
Richard also shared a post on another session from the same Toronto group meeting. Read more in Accelerating Transformation: Employee Digital Success in an AI-Driven World. We’ve also shared more in the past —- you might enjoy some of these related posts:
The conversation on employee engagement naturally continues at our upcoming group meetings in Europe and North America.