Founder Story
Unlocking the Power of Human Connection
Di Gates founded Connection Heroes after 15 years leading a virtual collaboration agency, helping organisations tackle complex communication challenges and change programmes.
With clients spread across departments and her own team working remotely, Di developed a unique way of running distributed projects – blending human-centred design, Agile values, smart use of tech and a deep focus on trust and connection.
Her approach delivered outstanding results, even when teams never met in-person. And when the pandemic hit, clients turned to Di for help keeping their now-remote teams engaged and productive.
That’s when Di realised, the real solution lay in training.
Leaders, managers and teams needed a new mindset, skillset and toolset to build trust, understanding and connection across hybrid teams, and to communicate and collaborate effectively in this new world.
So, Di carefully curated a founding team with the skills and experience to create something new and powerful, blending expertise in organisational psychology, community engagement and technology. Together, they transformed her methodology into a bold new training business, built for the modern workplace: Connection Heroes.
Delegate Feedback
97% |
feel more able to build better connections at work |
86% |
feel better connected to people in their cohort |
From Pilot to Power
Connection Heroes launched as a pilot with five forward-thinking organisations. The results were exceptional, and the feedback helped us refine our Core Strengths Framework and expand our offer to make connection training more accessible.
Today, our Connected Leaders programme and high-impact workshops help a growing number of organisations transform team performance and manager capability.
By turning the neuroscience of human connection into practical skills, tools and rituals, Connection Heroes offers a powerful way to boost engagement, wellbeing and performance in today’s distributed workplace.
Connection Hub
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“The scenario-based approach is an opportunity to strengthen our connections, our capability to communicate clearly and support us in living our values.”
“We’ve signed the whole team up, to deepen our understanding of connection, learn new skills and better understand what makes each of us tick.”
“Connection Heroes is an invaluable opportunity to come together and focus on the importance of our relationships.”
“We can’t wait to learn more about the science of human connection and how we can build better connections across our own organisation.”
“We are excited to be part of Connection Heroes – to increase connectivity amongst our teams and enhance the culture across CPI.”
