You know that feeling when you leave work on a Friday and you can’t quite put your finger on why the week felt good? Or when Sunday evening dread creeps in even though nothing particularly terrible happened?
Many of us spend years chasing the wrong things as leaders. We obsess over engagement surveys, invest in elaborate wellness programs, and architect perfect org structures. Meanwhile, the real drivers of how our teams feel—and how they perform—are happening in the three-second interactions we barely notice.
According to new research led by Ioannis Kratsiotis, lecturer in organizational psychology at the UK’s Manchester Metropolitan University, creating really good days at work don’t require major changes or perfect conditions. They’re simply created through small everyday moments that help people feel free, capable and connected.
This isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about understanding that leadership happens in the margins, in the brief exchange before a meeting starts, in how you respond to a question, in what you notice and what you ignore.
The Five Moments That Actually Matter
Kratsiotis identified five moments and interactions that can help colleagues foster “a sense of autonomy, a sense of competency, and a sense of connection:”
1. THE SUPPORT MOMENT
Brief check-ins and quick offers of advice help people feel connected and supported, lifting mood and motivation throughout the day.
Do this: Before you finish each day, reach out to one person—not to assign work, but to genuinely offer support or connect.
2. THE PROGRESS MOMENT
Feeling effective is one of the strongest drivers of wellbeing, and recognizing small wins builds competence that carries into the rest of the day.
Do this: Start meetings with “What’s one thing you made progress on this week?” Send quick messages when you notice forward movement.
3. THE AUTONOMY MOMENT
A sense of freedom in how we approach work plays an important role in how we feel each day, and showing trust strengthens relationships while helping people maintain focus.
Do this: When assigning work, separate the “what” from the “how”: “Here’s what needs to happen and why. I trust you on the approach.”
4. THE CONNECTION MOMENT
Short moments of genuine connection can change the tone of the entire day and help you both leave work feeling lighter and more energized.
Do this: Show up 2 minutes early to virtual meetings. Ask one non-work question each week. Send appreciative messages with no request attached.
5. THE RESTORATION MOMENT
When people feel drained, often one of their basic needs isn’t being met, and restoring balance matters more than maximizing any single need.
Do this: When someone seems stuck, ask: “What do you need right now? More clarity, more freedom, or someone to brainstorm with?”
You can’t fake these moments or delegate them to HR. They require you to be consistently present, genuinely interested, and willing to slow down enough to notice what your team actually needs.
Some days you’ll forget. That’s human. What matters is the pattern over time. We have more influence over daily experience than we sometimes realize, and by paying attention to the small moments that shape our day, we can create more days that leave people fulfilled at work and refreshed at home.
