3 Investments You Must Make to Stay Connected

3 Investments You Must Make to Stay Connected

Effective leaders know deliberate learning is not optional, but a requirement of growth and success. Consistent learning demands an investment of time, money, and energy, but the price paid pales in comparison to the abundant returns in awareness, understanding, and the development of richer connections to people, places, and ideas. Which begs me to ask, how often do you invest in the following three areas to receive the greatest return both on and off the job?

  1. The Leader-Reader Connection: As someone who studies successful individuals’ habits, the common thread of voracious reading never fails to show up. From Oprah or Bill Gates to my most recent client, COO of Raintree Systems, Terrance Sims, these leaders are disciplined in their practice of carving out time to read. According to a New York Times article stating that Gates reads over 50 books a year, he mentioned that reading is still the “main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.” Gates also has taken an annual two-week reading vacation for his entire career. Not only does reading open up your mind to new adventures and perspectives, but it also betters your vocabulary, stimulates your thinking, and can shift how you see yourself and others – making room for more empathy and less judgement. If you consistently find yourself reading fiction, try some non-fiction on for size and vice versa. I often share an Audible book with my sweetie as we walk the beach sparking both our thinking and conversation.

  1. The Conference Connection: Perhaps I’m biased since I speak at conferences weekly, but I witness the conversations, camaraderie, and coaching that randomly occurs in the hallways, during meals, and even in the washroom! These unplanned moments of connection often equal or surpass the well thought out education provided. If I were to unexpectedly ask anyone in attendance how they can afford the time away from work, the answer would overwhelmingly be, “I can’t”. Yet, after years of showing up, these same individuals realize they can’t afford not to attend. The savviest attendees maximize their conference investment by proactively creating memorable moments. For example, my colleague and friend, Laurie Guest, organizes a fun friend’s dinner months in advance. She invites an eclectic group of individuals, many even new to her, to gather off-site for conversation and connection. Having been privileged to attend, I’ve also been fortunate to meet a few individuals (who turned into dear friends) that otherwise might never have come across my radar.
  2. The Crew Connection: While leading a training activity, I overheard a co-worker tell another, “Wow! I’ve sat next to you for the past three years, and I had no clue you’re a docent at the botanical gardens. I studied botany in college!” When we make the time to share our truths, ask insightful questions and fully listen, we can always find common ground with another or better understand what makes them tick. This awareness becomes a building block for greater appreciation, trust and respect. In our busy, demanding days, it’s all too easy to default to unengaging small talk or mindless chatter with another rather than create a quality moment or two for genuine conversation that opens the door for powerful collaboration. If you can’t remember the last time you invested real time learning something brand new about someone in your crew, now is the time to begin.

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Colette Carlson, CSP, CPAE Hall of Fame Speaker的更多文章

  • Is Waiting the Hardest Part?

    Is Waiting the Hardest Part?

    “So, do you have a job yet?” my parents once again asked during our ritual, weekly call to which I replied, “Not yet.”…

    2 条评论
  • Building Boundaries

    Building Boundaries

    Dear Colette, As a manager in a multinational company, I’m often asked by management and others to attend meetings at…

  • Extroverts…Listen Up!

    Extroverts…Listen Up!

    Have you ever heard of an ambivert? No, it isn’t a West Texas animal or a driverless vehicle. An ambivert (and I…

    7 条评论
  • Know-it-All on the Trail

    Know-it-All on the Trail

    Dear Colette, I’m a docent at a botanical garden and lead a monthly walk, preceded by a 15-minute talk about the…

  • AI in Action: Elevating Creativity and Communication in the Workplace

    AI in Action: Elevating Creativity and Communication in the Workplace

    The landscape of AI in our daily lives has been thrust into the limelight, especially after Google’s recent Gemini ad…

  • 5 Strategies to Create a Culture of Psychological Safety

    5 Strategies to Create a Culture of Psychological Safety

    Can you recall a time at work you hesitated to share your thoughts, opinions or truth out of concern for possible…

  • Four Connected Ways to Keep Your Company Healthy

    Four Connected Ways to Keep Your Company Healthy

    Lack of personal connection and the absence of human support is a struggle in most businesses today. Although companies…

  • The Netflix Culture Memo: 7 Powerful Leadership & Life Lessons

    The Netflix Culture Memo: 7 Powerful Leadership & Life Lessons

    In the ever-evolving landscape of corporate culture, Netflix has once again positioned itself as a beacon of innovative…

    2 条评论
  • How to Speak Your Truth to a Friend

    How to Speak Your Truth to a Friend

    Dear Colette, Someone I know well (let’s call him Bob) was recently “terminated” (his word) from his job. Bob is also…

  • How to Eliminate Excuses Forever

    How to Eliminate Excuses Forever

    There’s a skill many of us have perfected that we can call on when pressed. For some, it takes years to hone.

    2 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了