16 July 2012 ~ 18 Comments

Connecting Requires Energy!

Leadership Random

There is no doubt connecting with others requires energy…and lots of it! In order to have energy to connect, there are some strategies that must be learned.

5 Ways to Use Energy for Connecting

  • Initiative

As a leader and a “connector”, we must be willing to take the first step.

  • Clarity

It is important to have a plan when you are connecting with someone. It would not be beneficial to you or the other individual if you were not concerned or did not have clarity of mind when trying to connect. It is essential to:

  1. Know Yourself
  2. Know Your Audience
  3. Know Your Stuff
  • Patience

Connecting requires patience. Sometimes, we want to “cut-to-the-chase”. Instead, we should be willing to listen and understand the other person. This is hard to do…especially if there are other things going on!

  • Selflessness

This concept ties into patience. We need to be concerned about the other person (not our desires) if we are going to connect. Ever been with someone who only talks about himself? You certainly do not want to be this individual if you are trying to connect!

  • Stamina

Trying to connect with others certainly drains us of our energy! For this reason, we must take time to recharge.

“The only thing that keeps a man going is energy and what is energy but liking life?”

-Louis Auchincloss

Connecting is for the self-disciplined individuals. You have to be disciplined in order to connect! And connecting first starts with……..ENERGY!

How important of a role do you think energy plays in connecting with others? Let me know in the comments!

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  • http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

    I’ll have to check out that book. I had never thought of energy as a requirement before but it makes sense. It’s tough stuff sometimes to lead and connect.

    • http://bigb94.wordpress.com Brandon

      Yeah, this book is a must read! I might give away my copy on the site. It costs $26 dollars, so it is expensive. Hopefully, it will be ok to giveaway a used book (still mint condition though…)?

  • http://arnyslight.wordpress.com Arny’s Light

    Energy is very important when it comes to connceting…
    otherwise, they will feel like you think they are boring! lol…you know?

    I can’t imagine a business man who works sooo much, barley sleeps, can go into a crowd and “make deals” if he is yoning up a storm…even with coffee…i yon….lol…

    • http://bigb94.wordpress.com Brandon

      Exactly! I totally agree with your example! :)

      Monotone is the worst when speaking….eeeeerrrrrgggghhh!

  • http://stevencribbs.com Steven

    Without energy, many peoople relegate themselves to holding up the walls or making sure the chairs in the back of the room don’t float away instead of engaging other peoople.

    • http://www.bigb94.wordpress.com Brandon

      I totally agree with that!

  • http://danblackonleadership.blogspot.com Dan Black

    Great post. I have noticed connecting with others requires energy. But its worth it.

    • http://www.bigb94.wordpress.com Brandon

      It is totally worth it!

  • http://www.frymonkeys.com Alan Kay

    Patience is essential, especially when do connect with people. Rajesh Setty said it well about making good first impressions http://tiny.cc/83398 and I took the opportunity to turn it into some good questions about finding out more about the person and their needs before we start to talk about ourselves http://tiny.cc/vc5zs

    • http://www.bigb94.wordpress.com Brandon

      Definitely! Thanks for sharing the links!

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  • http://www.noahlomax.com Noah Lomax

    Great post and thanks for pointing out the book! I think thought connecting is a basic fundamental, but yet it is lacking with many leaders as they grow in their leadership. Why do you think leaders fail to continue conecting?

    • http://bigb94.info Brandon

      Thanks for stopping by! I believe that it is because they do not have it as a goal that they are constantly thinking of. Connecting takes a lot of work, and that is why many do not do it well. I don’t think you can ever be “too good” at connecting with others. It is something to always work on perfecting.

      Jesus had this down! He connected with others on a level that is crazy! That is why He was so influencial.

  • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

    Listening takes great energy and focus. I think many today lack it.
    This brings to mind an experience I had this weekend with a man I greatly admire.
    Sadly, this time he fell short (but we all do).
    I could tell he wasn’t listening, he was a million miles away. But it was okay, we have that type of relationship. However, if he had displayed this type of behavior with someone else, it might not have been okay.
    Sometimes we have a great deal on our minds, but we must be aware of our surroundings and tasks at hand.
    I’m sure Jesus had dying on his mind- but He didn’t let that distract Him. That required a great deal of energy!

    • http://www.brandongilliland.com/ Brandon Gilliland

       Great example! Thanks for sharing!