Connections Beget Connections

We are all connected in one way or another

Expanding on previous ideas for “Making Personal Connections with Your Team” (May 16, 2021 post), another fun way to bring the team closer together is by demonstrating how much we all have in common.

Have one person start by sharing a unique experience or aspiration, including what makes it important to them. Then have each team member make a connection. For example, “I aspire to write a novel” might inspire others to share that they (a) want to write a book too, (b) have a sister who is a published author, (c) hold a degree in journalism, or (d) traveled to Paris with their high school English class. The connection does not have to be identical, just something that instills a sense of community, common interests, and shared purpose.

It is fun to see where the conversation goes and how many connections folks make with one another. In fact, often the conversation gains a life of its own and you may have to intrude to pivot to another topic and give someone else a chance to start a new thread.

This technique is a great “ice breaker” for new groups – especially folks who don’t appear to have anything in common – as well as to bring existing teams closer together. By learning about each others’ special interests, team members now have ways to connect on a personal level to complement their professional / work context. These connections come in handy down the road when a conflict arises or when acquaintances now become daily teammates – “Hey, aren’t you a fellow Virginia Tech grad? Didn’t you study a semester abroad in Prague? I was there for a conference two years ago. Beautiful city, especially during the holidays!” In other words, we have a connection in common, can’t we find a way to reach an agreement? Isn’t it wonderful that we now get to work together on this effort? I’m glad there is someone I can relate to on the team.

It is important to invest in developing positive connections, purposefully and continuously, with one another. Connections that enhance relationships. Connections that bring us joy. Connections that make us want to make even more connections.

“It's a small world after all.”
- Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, Disney songwriters