Quiet Quitting Mirrors Ghosting: What Corporate Leaders Can Learn From Dating

quiet quitting and ghosting may seem worlds apart, yet a former Match.com director argues they share the same root cause: a breakdown in communication. Lakshmi Rengarajan, who once shaped brand strategy for the dating giant and later served as a workplace connection advisor at WeWork, is launching a year‑long series called “How to Date Humans.” Speaking at the Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit, she drew a direct line between the silent exit of a partner and an employee’s disengagement.

From Ghosting to Quiet Quitting: A Shared Symptom

Both behaviors involve disappearing without explanation. Rengarajan says the culprit is often a lack of conversational tools, not indifference. When confronted with awkward moments, many opt to retreat, leaving colleagues and partners in limbo.

“In both dating and work we’re trying to figure out what other people are, we’re trying to see if we can build something, and sometimes we don’t know what we’re experiencing,” she told the audience.

She notes that the rise of remote work and AI‑driven performance metrics has amplified the sense of isolation. A recent Randstad survey found that ↑ 62% of Gen Z workers worldwide admit to concealing parts of themselves at work, up from ↓ 55% a year earlier. Some advocate strict boundaries, urging employees not to “bring your whole self to work.”

Building a Connection Strategy

Rengarajan proposes a “connection strategy” tailored to teams and seasons, emphasizing intentional moments of shared vulnerability. She recalls asking a coworker for PowerPoint help early in her career; six years later she stood beside her as a bridesmaid. Such stories illustrate how professional bonds can evolve into personal trust.

For CEOs, the prescription is clear: embed relational metrics into culture, invest in mentorship, and treat communication as a core competency. As AI reshapes roles, the human element becomes a competitive moat.

“What people are saying about love and work will keep us human,” Rengarajan concluded, urging leaders to prioritize authentic connection amid rapid change. For further insight, see Reuters and Bloomberg.