Connecting … The Forgotten Art of Social Interaction

Randy Hain, Managing Partner of Bell Oaks Executive Search

First and foremost, this is not another article on networking. Most business people have been inundated by countless tips on how to meet people and exchange business cards. This is also not an article on building relationships. I’m talking about the often-overlooked, elemental skill you need before you can form a true relationship or become adept at productive and meaningful networking … the forgotten art of connecting.

The critical first step in connecting with others is to be yourself. Be genuine and don’t fake it … people see right through that. It may sound trite, but others want to connect with the inner you and not the surface you. Consider this perspective from Jacqui Welch, Vice President of Human Resources for Rock-Tenn Company, “In order to connect meaningfully with other people, you have to first connect with yourself. Meaningful connection is an outflow or by-product of understanding who you are, who you are becoming and what you literally and figuratively bring to the table." Be open and authentic, know who you are, and proceed with confidence!

The foundation for successful networking and relationship building is making a good connection—that initial contact with someone rooted in mutual interest or experience that breaks down the wall that exists between us. These connections should emanate from your genuine desire to learn about the other person and determine what you have in common.

Picture yourself approaching a stranger in a room full of people. You don’t know anything about him or her other than possibly their name (from a name tag) or company they work for. You introduce yourself and then … what? Does a connection occur that leads to a professional relationship or perhaps friendship, or do you make polite surface conversation and move on to the next stale encounter? Have you been in this position before? How can you seize that moment and imbue it with purpose and meaning?

Cutting through the veneer of cursory behavior and building a bridge to the person you just met can open countless personal and professional doors. Karen Glatzer, President and Founder of GH Consulting says, “Career-building is not just about who you know, it is how you nurture those relationships at all times and not just when you need or want something. My counsel to other women regardless of where they are in their life and careers is to find a group of men and women with whom you can build a deep, collegial rapport. It can be based on such things as life philosophy, spirituality, family values, personal growth, sense of humor, and sharing of self. Then it is easy for the professional support to occur.”

Often, our drive to collect business cards or win a new friend at a professional function makes us overlook the human aspect of a business relationship. Consider these suggestions on connecting with others before your next meeting:

1. Be a Great Listener This is critical and the building block for a new relationship. Veronica Sheehan, SVP of Network Operations for Turner Entertainment Group says, "An important part of making good connections is mastering the art of listening. A good listener learns and truly understands what motivates and inspires another person. If you offer to help that person without an expectation of getting something in return, your authentic self shines through and gives you the advantage that a favor may be returned."
2. Ask Questions It is a fact that others find you more interesting when you ask questions. The real purpose here is to learn as much as possible and determine commonality.
3. Get Personal Conversations are human interactions, so don’t be afraid to share personal information. It allows your compassion to reveal itself. Family, faith, values, and outlook on life … these are all worthy points of connection. Be sure to pay close attention to the reaction of your audience–many people who are more accustomed to surface conversations may be initially sensitive to engagement at this level.
4. Compare Interests One of the simplest connecting points is shared interests. An obvious example—the event or setting where you meet a person is by definition a shared interest. Asking specific questions with this in mind will uncover relevant information and provide you with something relevant to discuss.
5. Share History Where did you go to school? Where were you born? How old are your children? How long have you lived in Atlanta? How long have you worked for ABC company? How long have you been married? Where did you meet your husband or wife? This is not simple data. These are points of connection where you can find something in common with almost anyone.
6. Use Humor One of the easiest ways to break the ice with someone is to make them laugh. The ability to poke fun at yourself or make light of a situation can help you build an instant bond with someone you don’t know, but generally know that jokes and humor are two very different things … jokes don’t work!
7. Connect Through Technology It sounds contradictory to think of technology as a way to build personal connections, but that is the world in which we live. Business networking sites such as LinkedIn (www.linkledin.com) and Ryze (www.ryze.com) allow you to view a person’s career history and personal information such as education, community involvement, and hobbies. They are useful tools in which to learn about someone you are meeting and bring to light things you have in common. But as useful as these sites are to find connecting points, they should remain simply a vehicle that facilitates faceto- face interaction.
8. Connect Through Content Someone mentions a topic of interest and you recall reading a great article on that very subject. Why not email them the article … or better yet, mail it with a personal, handwritten note? Another person is struggling with a work-related problem or professional development challenge. Why not give them a book you’ve read that may address their challenge? Or email a review of the book from Amazon with your recommendation. Actions such as these show that you aren’t just listening but taking a genuine interest in what they have to say. It also creates a follow-up opportunity and something to discuss the next time you get together.
9. Share Faith & Values You must determine your comfort level with this one, but it can be a powerful way to connect. Sharing your values and engaging in a conversation about someone else’s will often generate a deep, authentic discussion that evolves into a strong relationship. This “values dialogue” can lead to discussions about faith which for many people is welcome and comfortable. However, for some it can be awkward, so again consider your audience carefully.
10. Invest Selflessly This can be the most challenging tip of all: offer to help the person you are speaking to without an expectation of return. Think about it. One of the quickest ways to break down barriers and establish a connection is to offer assistance to someone in need. Use your contacts, relationships, experiences or anything else in your repository to help. You will make an immediate connection and build what may become a mutually-beneficial relationship. To be sure, not everyone reciprocates, but most people will respond positively to your kind offer … then the magic happens.

While the premise of this article is building connections in a business-focused setting, by no means is that the only avenue to consider. Any place we frequent or gather for social interaction can be a place to make a connection—sports teams, church, school groups, playgroups, parties, happy hour, etc. are all valuable opportunities. Consider the tips in this article the next time you encounter someone you don’t know and see if you can build a connection. Many positive outcomes will flow from your effort.

About Bell Oaks With a 42-year legacy in executive search, Bell Oaks specializes in identifying, attracting and hiring professionals to critical positions with companies across the country. Founded in 1970, the national firm has particular expertise in the areas of sales and marketing, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and manufacturing/operations/engineering. Bell Oaks is consistently ranked as one of the leading search firms in the South and was recently named one of Atlanta's Best Places to Work by the Atlanta Business Chronicle for the second consecutive year.