Why emotional connection comes before … everything

But what if speed isn't the first step?

At Memorable, we’ve seen it time and time again: the real shift happens when people stop hiding behind roles and job titles… and start being real. Human. Before someone says “What’s the roadmap?”, maybe we should be asking “How are you showing up today?”

Sounds soft? It’s not.

Harvard’s Amy Edmondson calls it psychological safety—the idea that if you want people to perform, innovate, challenge ideas, or admit mistakes, they need to feel safe enough to take off their armor.

And as Brené Brown says: “Clear is kind.” When people are honest and open, clarity follows. But not the other way around.

So how do you build that kind of environment?

There are many ways—and they’re all valid as long as they create space for vulnerability, honesty, and freedom.

It could be a moment of reflection on where we are—or where we want to go.

It could be a quick check-in to see how everyone’s feeling, simply by asking the right question:

What’s one thing you’re carrying today that might be invisible to the rest of us?

It could even be a playful icebreaker—where people are invited to share something personal, without pressure.

As long as it brings authenticity in a naïve, transparent way, it’s perfect.

At Memorable, we bake this into everything we do. No team dynamics workshop, no strategy session, no offsite or client event begins without what we call an authentic opening. A moment where we slow down to make space for real connection.

We invite you to reflect:

How do you start a meeting?

How do you start a project?

How do you start an experience?

It doesn’t matter if it’s with your team or your clients. Online or in-person. What matters is how you start it—because that’s what sets the tone. That’s what makes the difference between a typical, forgettable business interaction… and a truly innovative, human-centered one.

Which of those do you think people will remember?

Which one will make your company more memorable?