Need an answer? Ask AI. It’s fast and super accessible.

But what happens when that convenience becomes a habit—and we stop asking each other?

Researchers writing in Harvard Business Review call this “relationslipping”: the weakening of working relationships when team members substitute AI for one another. Those skipped conversations can cost us opportunities to understand each other’s expertise, build trust and coordinate our work.

You can take steps to counter AI convenience. Here are three tips to strengthen your connection skills—and your working relationships.

First: Make human interaction a daily priority.
Look for opportunities throughout your workday to connect with others. Call a colleague. Start a Teams conversation with an open ended question. Stop by someone’s workspace when they’re available and strike up small talk by asking “How’s your day going?” Don’t wait for someone else to initiate an exchange. 

Second: Seek a teammate’s feedback.
Before automatically opening AI, consider who could help you think differently based on their experience and judgment. Ask, “How would you approach this?” Listen to their reasoning. Give them a chance to broaden your perspective—and deepen your understanding of what they know.

Third: Show appreciation for the exchange.
Let others know their insights and time mattered. Tell them, “Your perspective helped me rethink my approach.” Specific feedback reinforces the value of connecting—and encourages the next conversation.

Sounds basic? These skills take practice. My alma mater, Syracuse University, has introduced The Relationship Lab, an immersive undergraduate course that combines relationship science with hands-on practice in communication and collaboration to build skills for creating meaningful connections.

Establish your own training routine. The next time you reach for an instant answer, pause. Is there a person whose experience could help you—and a relationship you could strengthen by asking?

Then go ahead. Make the connection.

Check out Dulye & Co.’s latest Career Compass Podcast, The Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview. And follow me on Instagram for more tips to advance your career!