The universal language of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé is helping life at work.

• Despite differences in age and job title, co-workers are uniting through their mutual admiration for Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
• The two artists' music and concert tours can serve as a safe topic for co-workers to discuss during a heated political climate and disagreements over return-to-office requirements.
• According to associate professor Angela Hall of Michigan State University, the workforce in America is feeling demotivated due to job burnout and inflation.

At KPMG, managing director Rob Breakiron is more popular among entry-level colleagues than he should be as a 45-year-old. His unlikely ally in building this office reputation is Taylor Swift.

Breakiron's love for Swift has made him a hit, just like many of her songs. He frequently wears her merchandise or friendship bracelets from her ongoing Eras tour during team calls. Fans of the 14-time Grammy winner's music can easily spot the visual cues, which help establish him as a trusted mentor.

"The northern Virginia resident stated that it has a significant impact on their ability to connect with the younger generation and should not be underestimated."

Breakiron, known as the "Swiftie Dad" within his division, has become a go-to source for teammates seeking concert-related advice after attending multiple tour stops with his daughter.

As the remote work era comes to an end, companies are redefining norms such as dress codes and communication protocols. In a time marked by disagreements on various topics, including politics and return-to-office policies, pop stars Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are offering a shared space for colleagues of all ages and positions to connect.

Last year, the trend emerged as pop icons toured across the U.S. Now, with recent chart-topping albums from both artists and Swift's show resuming this month, the two are frequently discussed at water coolers or during virtual meetings' awkward starts.

Building relationships in hybrid or all-online settings can be challenging, according to associate professor Angela Hall of Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations. However, these connections can help individuals feel more supported and content in their roles, which benefits both employees and executives during a time of worker disengagement.

"Forming connections, bonds, and affinities is crucial, regardless of whether it's through shared interests like Beyoncé or Taylor, or through common experiences like baking or pet ownership. Hall emphasized that these connections can improve things."

The Society for Human Resource Management recently conducted a survey that found 45% of workers feel "emotionally drained" by their jobs and more than half feel "used up" at the end of the workday. These statistics contribute to a negative outlook on American labor sentiment, which has been characterized by "quiet quitting" and the "great resignation" for several years.

Employees who feel burned out are almost three times more likely to be actively looking for a new job, but those who feel a strong sense of belonging in their company are 2½ times less likely to feel burned out in the first place.

A 'unifying' interest

Andrew Boyagi, a self-proclaimed "Swiftie," concurs with Hall's perspective. While other managers may consider discussing personal interests during work as a waste of time, the senior director views these moments as crucial to establishing relationships that can benefit the company in the future.

Knowing someone personally is beneficial when working in a high-pressure environment, according to Boyagi, who manages a team of over 20 individuals spread across different locations globally from his home in Australia.

He has observed updates on Swift's music and personal life as employees from different generations engage in discussions on a team messaging forum. This shared interest brings a sense of unity to a diverse group, he noted.

High-five emojis have become a popular and subtext-safe replacement for the thumbs-up emoji, according to a younger team member who informed more senior colleagues.

He was shocked when 'thumbs up' was the only emoji available.

Major corporations, including Jeff Bezos' Amazon and Ray Dalio's Bridgewater, have been buzzing with Swift/Beyoncé concerts. CEO Mark Zuckerberg, a fan of Swift, posted photos of himself wearing friendship bracelets, which have become a popular accessory during her tour.

Susan St. Ledger, president of worldwide field operations at a cloud company, has earned clout from her subordinates for her leadership skills. During a sales kick-off speech, she referenced Taylor Swift and walked on stage to the song "Fearless." Afterward, employees gave her friendship bracelets, one of which had lettered beads spelling out "fearless leader."

Although a title can create a distance between you and others, Swift's music has served as a "universal language" that has helped her connect with a diverse range of people, including her fans' fathers and those who see themselves in her.

Some companies took advantage of the cultural trends generated by the tours. Megh McLaughlin, one of three employees who went on a reward trip to Florida by software company Air, was inspired by Beyoncé's Renaissance tour and created a recurring virtual meeting for the attendees to connect with each other, titled after the song "Run the World (Girls)."

Amani Albertsen organized a viewing for the film version of Swift's Eras tour, which began streaming on + in March, at the Austin office of financial technology firm.

Although Albert was apprehensive about hosting the event for the whole building, he was pleasantly surprised by the positive reactions of non-Swifties. During the pre-movie activities, attendees from various departments bonded over trivia and friendship bracelet-making. Meanwhile, other colleagues watched the celebration through the glass doors with respect.

"I feared we would be mocked," Albertsen admitted, but later stated that the event was broadly accepted and a "unifying" experience.

'A genuine dose of personality'

As multiple wars rage abroad and the U.S. barrels toward a divisive presidential election, Michigan State's Hall stated that Swift and Beyoncé offer noncontroversial talking points. She also added that the superstars can be a distraction for workers contending with economic challenges such as high inflation and the rising cost of homeownership.

Over the past ten years, these performers have gained widespread recognition, allowing multiple generations to share an interest in them. At the same time, non-fans have become familiar with the singers through their younger family members or exposure to popular culture.

Numerous employees interviewed by CNBC have found that the artists have helped them express their individuality at work.

During a "Jeffersonian dinner" at a data startup, Sharif Karmally, the product marketing lead, was intrigued when a co-founder mentioned admiration for Swift.

The team came up with a creative way to announce Atlan's latest funding round, which involved creating a music video inspired by Taylor Swift's new album, "The Tortured Poets Department." Karmally wrote the lyrics, and everyone from founders to new hires participated.

A colleague of Beyoncé's stopped in Atlanta and tapped Raeah Smith for her knowledge of the "Halo" singer while writing copy tied to the tour for a client of their advertising agency. Smith is part of a co-worker group chat created for discussion of the 32-time Grammy winner and shares her appreciation of Beyoncé as a conversation starter with new hires.

Smith stated that he managed to incorporate some jargon into the article.

The Beyhive, Beyoncé's fan base, hasn't found an equivalent to the Swiftie friendship bracelet, but cowboy hats and boots have been discussed among co-workers after the Texas-born performer's recent transition into country music.

Matt Lindner, who works in media marketing, took a break from his job to attend Swift's concert in Minneapolis last year. To inform his colleagues about his plans, he included references to her songs in an out-of-office email.

"I've filled in the void you left," the 41-year-old wrote. "If this is urgent, don't dismiss it," he later added. "The last thing I want is for there to be any tension between us."

When Lindner returned to his remote job, conversations with co-workers and external clients revolved around the show they were watching and their favorite songs. This helped break the virtual ice.

"He stated that his marketing job involves spreading positive energy and that a personal touch, such as an out-of-office message, reinforces the idea that there is a real person behind the screen."