Creating authentic connections
Last week on my community call, we discussed creating authentic connections/relationships.
Leaders with more authentic connections are happy, create more, get more done, and succeed. Creating and fostering relationships is essential, and, of course, take time.
Authentic is defined as: Being exactly as appears or as claimed.
Synonyms: Bonafide, genuine, real, right, true.
Connect is defined as: To put or bring together as to form a new and longer whole.
Synonyms: Chain, hook, join, link.
Did you catch that? To connect is to form a new and longer whole.
Creating authentic connections has a host of benefits to both parties. Some of them include:
Positive energy and happiness
Peace of mind and calm
Belonging and support
Non-judgment and safety
The most authentic people in my life are unfiltered truth-tellers. They tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear, and the truth is always coming from a place of love.
How would your life change for the better if you created more authentic connections?
How do you create relationships and connections that are authentic, you ask? I've included some pointers below for you (inspired by John Maxwell).
1. Respect and care.
This is not the "I care about you because you did something for me" or "I care about you so that I can get what I want." This is the "I care about you because you're a human being and child of God." It is rooted in love.
2. Share experiences over time.
Invest the time to get to know the other person and be with them through their journey. I decided to start a new job doing something that was far outside of my comfort zone. Our new-hire training included termination if I didn't achieve a final exam score of 80% or higher. Getting through this bonded all of my class!
3. Trust.
When you respect people and share experiences with them, the trust will come.
4. Be present and show you care.
When you are with them, be present. Get rid of distractions and look them in their eyes. Find out their hopes, dreams, joys, insecurities, and fears. Show you care.
5. Stop hiding and be yourself.
Being vulnerable and authentic are some of the fastest ways to build trust. Be you, stop hiding or trying to be someone else. You are perfect!
How are your authentic connections? Do you spend a lot of time and effort forming genuine and lasting relationships, or are you focusing on yourself and getting what you want?
What could you create in your life if you had 20 more people who genuinely cared about you and wanted you to succeed? What if you had just 1 more?
Go connect.
God bless you.
Shermain
Initial publish date: 1/29/2020
