The Power of Connection

BY JENNIFER BEYER

Wisdom is the Application of what you’ve Learned

“It all comes back to people”, Nick said to me. Nick was my manager at Morgan Stanley.  His statement was simple and powerful and personified him as a leader; kind, caring and always giving of his time.

We often think about professional success in results-oriented terms: the project was delivered on time, the deal you closed, the customer you saved. But these results are dependent on people. The collaboration of well intentioned people working together, consistently, and over time.  

When deadlines are tight and the pressure is on, the tendency is to focus on getting the job done vs caring for those around you. Your intention shifts from coaching and caring to the completion of the project. When you crest into this mode, it’s easy to become disgruntled and focus on why things aren’t going well and the reasons why you think the project will fail. This closed mindset can lead to blocks that impede your goals, professional development of teaming with others, and ultimately your connectedness.

But if you lead with openness and believe people want to contribute, you can build important synergies and meaningful experiences that result in collective successes.

We achieve success in increments, by going through each feeling, each belief and each experience one step at a time, you build wisdom. With wisdom you become more comfortable in who you are and are more able to trust in yourself and trust in the good intentions of others.

Key Elements Important for You on Your Journey:

• Appreciate and respect where you are now.
• Celebrate your breakthroughs when they come.
• If you are inclusive, it is likely others will include you.
• Spend time socializing your work in the context of your colleagues’ work.
• Provide updates and continued opportunities for people to contribute.