The Power of Invitation: Building Meaningful Connections This Holiday Season—and Beyond

As we spend more time online than in person, the WHY & HOW of our gathering requires internal reflection to find meaningful connections. Teams and leaders must find new ways to connect and engage their stakeholders with consideration and intention.

I love a holiday party invite (and the party itself) and look forward to them all year. As the holiday season approaches, many of us are thinking about gatherings with family, friends, and colleagues. But have you ever paused to consider the power of the invitation itself? We hosted dozens of events in person and online for our làmdi community this year, from Natalie Foster on how to build an inclusive and resilient economy, to Nathalie Molina Ni?o & Demetric Duckett of Known who are deploying, structuring and shifting capital in the direction the world is headed not where it's been, and Southern Poverty Law Center 's political action arm - the SPLC Action Fund. At the core of all these gatherings, our intention is to connect, ideate, and collaborate, living out the mission of our company - to bridge resources and opportunities to communities that have been historically underinvested.

Priya Parker, in The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, one of my favorite books of the last few years, teaches us that an invitation is more than logistics—it’s an opportunity to shape the purpose, energy, and connection of any event. A thoughtful invitation has the power to make people feel valued, seen, and integral to the experience. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, planning a team meeting, or inviting a friend for coffee, how you ask matters.

Why Thoughtful Invitations Matter

Research backs this up: gatherings with clear intentions and personalized invitations foster trust, engagement, and deeper relationships. Imagine the difference between a generic “Join us for dinner” and “Join us for a night of storytelling and gratitude as we reflect on the milestones of the year.” The latter invites people to show up physically, emotionally, and mentally.

A great invitation answers these three questions:

1. What’s the Purpose? Why are we gathering, and what do we hope to achieve?
2. Why Them? How does their presence make the gathering more meaningful?
3. What’s the Energy? How can the tone of the invitation set expectations for connection and engagement?

Action Steps for Year-Round Invitations

The principles of a good holiday invitation can easily apply to your professional and personal life. Here are some actionable ways to practice the art of invitation throughout the year:

1. In Leadership: Ask team members to contribute their perspectives instead of assigning tasks. Example: “We’re brainstorming ways to improve [project/initiative]. Your expertise in [specific area] would be invaluable—would you be willing to share your thoughts during next week’s meeting?” Resource Link: Psychology Today on Inclusive Leadership
2. In Networking: Make outreach specific and respectful. Research from Harvard Business Review shows personalized messages have a 30% higher response rate. Example: “Your work inspires me in [area]. Could we connect over a 15-minute virtual coffee? I’d love to learn how you approach [specific challenge].” Resource Link: HBR: How to Network Effectively
3. In Relationships:?Inviting friends and family into intentional conversations builds deeper connections. Example: “I’ve been reflecting on how much you’ve supported me this year. Let’s plan a coffee date—I’d love to share what’s been on my mind and hear how you’re doing.”

Your Challenge This Week (& Through the Holiday Season)

Extend one thoughtful invitation that has intention and meaning. It could be:

• Invite a friend for coffee and share why their time is valuable to you.
• Asking a colleague to share their expertise on a project while highlighting their strengths.
• Hosting a small gathering with a clear purpose—whether to celebrate, reflect, or simply connect.

Let’s make invitations more than just a formality. Let’s apply them to create spaces where people feel valued, connected, and inspired.

Let’s Spark a Conversation

I’d love to hear from you:

• What’s the most meaningful invitation you’ve ever received?
• How do you make people feel seen and valued in your invitations?

Drop your stories and ideas in the comments below! I’ll feature some of the best insights in a follow-up post.

Bonus Resources to Inspire Your Invitations:

• Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering
• Harvard Business Review: Networking Done Right
• Psychology Today: The Psychological Impact of Inclusive Leadership - Here's how empathy can drive organizational success.

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làmdi is a future-forward consultancy dedicated to cultivating generational wealth and creating opportunities for historically underinvested communities rooted in joy, heritage, and culture.

Our mission is to empower impact-oriented executives through comprehensive services in management consulting, executive search, speaking, coaching, and strategy.

We welcome invitations to connect, engage, and collaborate: [email protected].