Connecting with Joyce Cacho

How have relationships influenced your professional development and leadership style?

For me, relationships are a source of inspiration, encouragement and have a common thread of integrity. They underpin my leadership style of focusing on empowering individuals who see value in innovating new pathways and products.

Do you have any tips for maintaining and building strong relationships?

Master the art of listening. Learning what matters to others by listening is key to leadership. As such, intentionally making time to connect with your network to keep the conversation going is truly priceless. And when meeting live isn’t possible, be more meaningful with your digital communications. Text messages with a succinct, “All’s good?” can elicit different responses – from a text message of “k” to “do you have time to talk?” Sharing updates and photos of what might appear “ordinary” with comments and context can keep relationships up-to-date and encourages ongoing dialogue.

How have you intentionally built inclusiveness into your circles?

I’m always mindful that relationships are key to fueling a personal growth trend across time. This means that I am intentional about building relationships with people from different walks of life, including age. My “personal board of directors” includes people who are on the lookout for what is possible, those who are looking to make change happen or have made change happen. It’s important to me to surround myself with people who speak in ways which reflect perspectives different than my own, people who are open to limitless possibilities, and are generous and selfless in the way they interact with others. Enjoying laughter from puns, for example, may be the common thread across my circles.

What community or communities are you proud to be a part of?

Wow! How to choose? Why choose? Although it’s tough, I’ll go with the “Club of Firsts” – people who breakthrough real, and imagined, barriers to achievement and change.

Who’s a Connector that’s made a difference in your life?

I can honestly say that to name only one Connector is a challenge. That said, my former boss Robert (Bob) Bucklin, Vice Chairman of North America Wholesale, Rabobank (1993-2013) , is a true Connector who embodies exemplary leadership. His sponsorship, empowering style, caring and fun manner influenced so much of how I display my own ability to be a Connector and Leader. It’s worth repeating: Be intentional about listening and hearing a wide range of people to shape decisions. It’s integral to cultivating a corporate culture which meets today’s moment where employees, investors, and consumers are demanding they be respected and valued in real terms and real time.

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, seasoned communicator and founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies , a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships

Follow Susan on LinkedIn , Twitter and Instagram and order her new book, The Lost Art of Connecting , also available on Kindle and Audiobook.