The Power of Connection

As much as the internet has been revolutionary in so many ways, the most impacting communication will always be face to face - my opinion that is. In a day where Microsoft Teams and Zoom have certainly moved up the ranking, nothing beats person to person, or a number of people in one place at one time, in person, in the same room or space.

Now, of course there will be those who say that face to face online is the present, let alone the future - surely this last year has already proven that. To those people I would say it's a bit like 'half a loaf is better than no bread.'

Communication is so much more. The well known phrase is also worth remembering:

'The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said.'

Capturing the moment, the expression, the tone, the body language in the ways we've been designed to relate to each other, in my opinion will always be real time.

Another really important and obvious side of connection is understanding and relating to people.

In my work there have been many times where I've been warned, or tipped off about how difficult, awkward or dangerous a certain person is, prior to getting involved in a company.

(There must be a degree course in Company Politics out there somewhere)

I've learned to listen, smile, and reply with thanks knowing that it's best to take people as I find them when starting something new. Yes, of course there are people with chips on their shoulder for one reason or another. Occasionally, I may even find a well-balanced person with a chip on both shoulders. (By the way, I've found there is always a deeper reason for the chip)

More often than not however, I usually find these same people to be very different to the way they've been described to me. Why, because we all deal and relate to people differently.

Also, given that I go into companies to help fix or improve something and develop people along the way, it stands to reason that some (for different reasons) are reluctant in one way or another.

Therefore the power of connection is vital if I'm to get my job done.

In this context, I mean connection to be the ability to identify with people and relate to them in a way that increases my influence with them. This includes a very important key ingredient - trust.

I must build genuine and sincere trust.

The renowned Steven Covey said that 'trust is the glue of life' and I think he's right. He goes on to say 'trust is the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships.'

I also believe this to be true.

Connection and trust go together like copy and paste.