Connect Four

Last week I had the privilege to meet our Hub Management team in different settings and the opportunity to discuss many important topics on how we lead and manage ourselves and the piece of business we are responsible for. There were some important lessons again from the experience for us all to connect to or reconnect.

It was a delight to see some old and some new friends and relationships that have endured, and new ones formed but Daniel M set us up to start by connecting with ourselves.

So the first counter is connect with yourself. This for many is the one we spend the least amount of time with and often one of the coaching exercise's we do 'The Wheel of Life', people set out their priorities and they are rarely top of the priorities. But if you are not at your best, spiritually, physically and mentally, how can you give others your best. Toby H like Daniel M our leaders in this space.

Connect with 'your purpose' is my second counter. This can feel false sometimes as the purpose sounds like something grandiose but why are you here, why do you lead and manage people and business. What is the impact you are trying to achieve. Motivation is key, understanding your own and being able to transmit that to the people around you is a gift. When people stay and you attract others, then they have connected to the leader and the purpose. They know your 'Why'. Kathleen M always tells people her why.

Connect with others is counter number three. We need others to be successful, we need others to celebrate our successes, we need others to help us achieve those successes. We need others to pick us up, give us feedback and make us better. We need others to grow and challenge us. They also need us for all the same reasons, an experience shared or knowledge gained offers the chance for new experiences and new knowledge. Esperanza V always invites new people to team meetings to share what they do, and encourages others to step outside their business.

Connect with someone new, is counter number four. New connections are essential, they bring new perspectives, diverse opinions and are healthy even if the only thing they do is make the new person feel welcome a positive connection will always come back to you. In my role, I never know all the answers (I know its hard to believe), but invariably will know the person to ask if I don't. This is how businesses work, people buy from people. Justine D is the best at making new connections, she has a simple curiosity about people and regular takes a coffee with someone new.

Its not easy to put all four in a row, there are always competing priorities and external organisations or factors but leadership or management is a game. Whilst the focus is on connecting I will leave the final word to Christian D, it is only when you collaborate at the lowest level that you are truly connected as people, as a business, and to one purpose.

I want to work with leaders who want to become better leaders, I know my purpose and was delighted to spend time with leaders that want the same, the fact that we are all different and bring different skills to the party the joy of such a role. To my colleagues, old and new, I thank you for a wonderful week. You make work fun.