Fear of Connection

I recently had a conversation with a prospect (now a client) that acknowledged his deepest business frustration and fear to me: “I don’t know how to connect with people anymore.” I asked for clarification and he expressed an uncertainty in how to use the plethora of technologies and communication tools available and a feeling that the “rules” of engagement had shifted and he was adrift. I could sympathize - there are so many various social networking web tools available and as we talked about his experiences I could hear his voice become slower paced, deeper, and more withdrawn. He wanted to connect with others and didn’t know how. He felt paralyzed and isolated.

In the midst of our conversation I referenced Tim Sander’s book: Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends. I agree with Sander’s that we have access to a seemigly unending variety o tools that help automate networking and connection. But, the key differentiator that leads to successful networking and business development is interacting with others from a perspective of humility and gratitude. From this perspective, of gratitude and generosity, we can share our intangibles (knowledge, network, and our compassion) in a way that connects us with others on a base level. A level that encourages continued interaction and relationship building. 

The bottom line: want to connect with others? Utilize a variety of tools (online, in-person, twitter, facebook, etc. - find what works for you) and keep in mind that people still (regardless of the medium) want human connection and that means being humble, generous, and share your intangibles. Check out Tim’s book for more reading: Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends. Connect with me and we can discuss ways to implement this in your business development.

See you out there - beyond the summit!

Tagged as: Business Networking, Connect with Others, Love is the Killer App, Tim Sanders