How Connecting with Your People Will Help You Succeed
In this hectic world we live in, we often only have the time and energy to correct our kids, discuss to-dos, and make sure everyone is where they're supposed to be when they're supposed to be there. We are juggling home life, work, marriage, schedules. It's no wonder we barely have time for connection.
You might think going about our business without slowing down to connect would help us get more done and make us more efficient, but in fact, it does not.
One day one of my kids can home for school in a bad mood. They were unkind to their siblings and short-tempered while doing their homework. I asked them to clean up their snack, and they acted like they didn't hear me
At that moment, I had a choice to make. I could freak out and punish them, or I could take a moment to connect with them and get to the bottom of what was going on. Thankfully I was having a good day, and I chose the latter. I took a deep breath and said, "Hey, what's going on? Did something happen at school today?"
They opened up and told me that something indeed happened on the playground that day.
Because I was able to slow down and connect with my kiddo, I saw a shift in my child's demeanor. They had more patience for themselves, were able to finish their homework without losing their cool. Not only that, they cleaned up as I asked.
We build connections and take steps towards our desired outcome when we take the time to see and hear others, become concerned for one another, and come alongside each other in our everyday.
Here are a few ways you can connect with your people:
Ask questions. Don't assume you always know what's going on or what another person is feeling. Slow down and listen. Ask open-ended questions.
Show empathy. Recognize how the other person feels and understand their point of view is important to them.
Share your feelings and thoughts when appropriate. Remember that children will listen to you once they feel heard.
We all yearn for connection — with our kids, spouses, parents, siblings, and friends. We weren't created to be robots going about our day in the most efficient way possible. We were meant to do this life WITH our people.
My conversation with Brian Dixon on The Family Culture Project podcast that I would, in fact, have a more significant impact as a wife, mother, friend when I connect with my people.
Brian had a habit, both in his business and his family, of putting projects before people. Then he had a unique experience that showed him that this thing that he thought made him successful might be the very thing that was holding him back from the success at work and home. He writes about it in his new book Start with Your People.
As he began to master the art of connection, he saw exponential growth personally and professionally.
As you read this post or listen to this interview, think about the people in your life that you would like to connect with and decide on one way you can begin to do that today!
Listen to my interview with Brian Dixon on The Family Culture Project podcast here >> Ep. 64 Brian Dixon and Why Connecting with Your People Matters
Be sure to subscribe to the show in iTunes or your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode.
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