You want to build relationships with people who are different from you. How do you get started?

What happens when you see someone yawn? You yawn. What happens when you see a friend crying? You fight to not cry or you cry with them. This is how the brain works what we see is contagious. That means a genuine smile will put them at ease. Then you ask them the most important question you'll ever ask anyone. What's your name? Doesn't the sound of your name make you smile. I hope so. Now, go and enjoy meeting new and different people, because, we are, all different.

Initiating connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds begins with genuine curiosity and respect. Recently, I attended a networking event with professionals from various cultural backgrounds. Engaging in conversations with an open mind and authentic interest allowed me to learn about their unique perspectives and experiences. One encounter with a colleague from a different country led to a deep discussion about our respective cultural norms and values. By embracing our differences and seeking common ground, we built a strong rapport that transcended cultural boundaries. This experience reinforced the importance of approaching relationships with openness and authenticity, fostering meaningful connections across diverse communities.

‘You can measure a person’s intellect by the answers they give but it’s the questions they ask that demonstrate their wisdom’. Actively cultivating your sense of curiosity allows for deeper, more rational decision making and inspires creative solutions – that’s where the magic happens. Curious thinking helps us succeed even in the most difficult and uncertain times - such as those we experienced with the global pandemic. So, let your curiosity guide you, let it be your northern star.

If you are lucky enough to have siblings, you more than likely have already learnt how to do this! ?? But in case you haven't - find common ground - yes! Believe it or not, there is common ground between us all. Practice active listening - aka listen without responding or giving your opinion - just listen (why is this so hard?! ??) And lastly, be authentic, be the calmest person in the room and you can't go wrong!

I stay curious. I also have learned that the power tool in my toolbelt is the power of observation. Sitting back, observing, listening more than speaking, showing restraint from jumping in and throwing in my opinion...all of these things allow others to speak and for me to be curious in what they have to offer.

One of the best things I've learned in coalitions is making room for all voices. Some people are more confident speaking in groups, some not so much. While building relationships it's important to open up different avenues of conversation so that all feel comfortable (i.e. group discussions AND private feedback channels). Sometimes this can be a phone call just to check in.

When you approach others with an open mind and a heart full of respect, you create a space where genuine connections can flourish. Embracing diversity means recognizing the beauty in each person's distinct background, experiences, and perspectives. By fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding, you not only enrich your own life but also contribute to a world where everyone feels valued and included. Remember, kindness and empathy are the keys to building bridges that unite us all.

Implement a 'no interruption' rule during meetings to ensure everyone's ideas are heard and valued, regardless of their position or seniority. This fosters a respectful environment where all contributions are considered. Additionally, celebrate cultural diversity by recognising and respecting holidays from different cultures represented within the team.

Absolutely, showing respect to clients is paramount in providing solutions. It involves actively listening to their needs, understanding their concerns, and valuing their input. Respectful communication fosters trust, collaboration, and a positive working relationship. When offering solutions, it's important to consider the client's preferences, constraints, and priorities, while also providing expert advice and innovative ideas to address their challenges effectively. By demonstrating respect and empathy towards clients, we can build stronger partnerships and deliver solutions that truly meet their needs.

Time was a finite resource, and no one knows how much they had been allotted. Acknowledging and appreciating someone’s decision to spend this precious asset with you is important. Show respect, be present in the moment, and respond with generosity. In turn, be cautious and prudent with your time. Do not squander it. As you get older, its value increases exponentially.

Are you listening to RESPOND or listening to UNDERSTAND? I've been guilty of this a lot in my past. I feel I already know the answer and pre-maturely form my answer based on my past experiences. This one of the worst things you can do. It will make the other person feel misunderstood and like you're not listening to them. Allowing them to finish their thoughts and trying to find stories and instances that relate to them helps so much.

Get to know the other person. What makes them tick? How do they view the world? What do they value and how do they see themselves. Be curious and listen to understand them rather than in judgement.

Being open-minded about the opinions and ideas of others is a key aspect of fostering genuine connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds. By approaching, conversations with a willingness to listen and understand, rather than judge or persuade, you create a space for mutual respect and learning. Embracing different perspectives can broaden your understanding of the world and allow for meaningful exchanges that transcend differences.

When brainstorming for solutions, encourage team members to come up with ideas that challenge the status quo, without immediate judgment. Facilitate workshops or training sessions that focus on creative thinking and open-mindedness, emphasising the value of diverse perspectives in solving complex problems.

Jake, you nailed it! If you pay close enough attention to who you are communicating with and what/how they are presenting to you, words can carry much more information.

By being adaptable, you show that you value and respect the perspectives and individuality of others. Embrace diversity in thoughts, opinions, and approaches as opportunities for growth and learning. Diversity is a strength, and by being adaptable, you can create meaningful connections that transcend differences and promote unity.

If your team is multicultural, be considerate of different time zones for meetings and flexible working hours. Additionally, adapt communication styles to suit team members who may prefer different methods of communication, such as visual aids for those who are visual learners or written summaries for those who prefer reading.

Being adaptable is indeed crucial when working with clients to provide solutions. It means being flexible and responsive to changing circumstances, priorities, and feedback from clients. Adapting involves being open to new ideas, adjusting strategies as needed, and being willing to revise plans based on evolving requirements. By staying adaptable, we can better cater to the unique needs and preferences of each client, finding solutions that are dynamic and responsive to their specific situations. It also allows us to navigate unexpected challenges and uncertainties more effectively, ultimately leading to more successful outcomes for our clients.

Remember what we learned as children: everyone is unique. This applies to how they communicate, listen, engage, process and interact. I find with relationship building it can be easy to fall into patterns that 'worked before', but that's the wrong strategy, Get to know the person slowly, find out what you have in common - not just topics but behaviours and interests - and adapt to that. Just be confident in yourself and patient!

Invite him into a social gathering or invite him for a cup of coffee to start a chatting. Ask him more about his knowledge and express your admiration with it.

A great thing to do is find something that you and the other person authentically share a view, belief or passion for. For example, while the other person might be from a different country, explore the things they love to do and find authentic opportunities to create a bridge. They may have a deep passion for art like you do, or maybe they have opposing political views, but you share an authentic love for your community.

By being authentic and honest, you are laying a strong foundation for genuine connections. It's important to remember that trust relationships are built on mutual respect and understanding. By being true to yourself and showing genuine interest in others, you are fostering meaningful relationships based on trust, respect, and authenticity.

People can feel when you are not being authentic. By being true to yourself, you create an environment of trust and vulnerability, which is essential for building meaningful connections. Additionally, being authentic allows the other person to see and appreciate your unique qualities, which can lead to a deeper level of mutual respect and appreciation. Remember, embracing diversity is about celebrating differences while also finding common ground and shared experiences that can bring people together.

Authenticity is something we all sense, whether conscious of it or not. Always be your true self, yet pause to consider if something you are thinking of sharing could be taken in a different way than you intend.

One of the best ways I’ve found to get to know someone is to break bread together. It’s the reason I routinely set up coffee and lunch catch-ups each week. While some of the more traditional types of networking can seem forced or artificial, a coffee catch-up is a relaxed way of getting to know someone. It creates the space to share your own story and, in return, you’re likely to learn about new things, find out what’s happening in another part of the business and even get on someone’s radar – the possibilities are endless. So if you can, never eat alone.

Create opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration to expose team members to different ways of thinking and working. Organise regular check-ins with team members to understand their career aspirations and how you can support their growth. Recognise and celebrate the achievements of team members in a way that is meaningful to them, fostering a culture of appreciation and proactivity.

Being proactive is essential in providing effective solutions to clients. It involves anticipating their needs, identifying potential issues before they arise, and taking initiative to address them. Proactive behavior demonstrates foresight, initiative, and a commitment to delivering value to clients beyond their immediate requests. By staying ahead of potential challenges and opportunities, we can offer clients solutions that are not only timely but also strategic and forward-thinking. Proactive communication and problem-solving help build trust and confidence with clients, positioning us as reliable partners who are dedicated to their success.

Knowing the special advantages and the privileges we have, can help us make things better for everyone. When we join in on events or activities led by people from different groups, especially those who haven't always been listened to, it shows we care and want to learn from them. It's about being there, really listening, and trying to understand things from their view. We can use our position to make sure more people hear what they have to say and help make things fairer for everyone.

First of all, stop looking at them as if they are different! They are not! They are just like any other human! That's a start. Then do what, Dale Carnegie & Les Giblin recommend :)

Building relationships starts with empathy, engagement and curiosity. Then it evolves further with communication, MORE empathy, and mutual respect

Reflecting on the past, I realise that life is a sequence of moments where we must make choices - should I agree or decline, take the road less travelled, put myself first, and so on? Even when we think we have no options, we do. Even choosing not to act is a decision. Once you make a choice, please take responsibility for it. 'If only' and 'what if' are among English’s saddest and most regretful phrases. In other words, be genuine. I can detect insincerity a mile away.

Some of the ways in which you may begin is by; - Having regular old conversations in a manner that is inclusive. Start simply by talking about the weather. - Despite having privilege as Americans, we might try to get a feel for the style of communication and adapt as much as possible, while remaining authentic. - Take it slow, learn more about the person by observing. - Do not try too hard, be natural. - Be genuinely helpful. - Remain friendly, and open-minded. Realizing we are more alike than different, will help bring things along. After all, we have been on the planet for long enough by now, to remember that 'we' are the foreigners on another's soil, and would prefer to be treated with the same dignity and respect!