Building a Connected Workplace: Integrating Leadership, Teamwork, and Social Networks Approaches to Reduce Social Ostracism in the Military

Abstract: The project proposes a 4-year plan to advance understanding of the impact of reducing social ostracism and promoting social integration and connection in military contexts, particularly from a leadership perspective. The project aims to understand how leaders can better monitor and manage military units and teams to improve social connections and integration and reduce instances of ostracism. Additionally, the project aims to develop a tangible tool and leadership education that leaders and teams can utilize to monitor, foster, and facilitate social integration and connection. The project aims to shift the current prospective approach of preventing harmful behaviors in the military (i.e., focused on what people should not do) to a prescriptive approach of encouraging positive and constructive behaviors in the military (i.e., focused on what people should do).