Sometimes I get asked to do book reviews on books that are getting ready to launch. Other times, I read a book that is so powerful for business owners, that I have to share it. Everyone Communicates Few Connect is one of those books.
There are a lot of important aspects of your business from strategic planning to marketing to innovation. All of these areas are not nearly as impactful as building relationships.
In fact, if there is one are where I went wrong in the early part of my own life it’s in not building real relationships. Because of my own issues with trust, I used to hold people as far away from me as possible. I was a pain in the ass to get to know. This issue nearly derailed my career when I stepped into my first leadership position in the corporate world. I have been vowing to improve in this area ever since.
In the book, author John Maxwell, talks about how we either use people as stepping stones or bridges. I love this analogy. How often have you been to a networking event where it’s obvious that the person you are talking with doesn’t give a shit about you? I’m sure you get just as annoyed by that as I do. People who connect and build bridges are the kinds of people that others gravitate towards. Business owners need all the gravitational help we can get.
There are four specific issues that John Maxwell raises in the book that should be familiar to you. These barriers are;
- Assumptions-Â This is where you think you already know what people want or need.
- Arrogance- I don’t need to know what people want.
- Indifference- I don’t care to know what people need or want.
- Control- I don’t want others to know what I need or want.
I am sure you have seen all of these barriers in your own work whether you are the giver or receiver of these. I know I have. The question is, how do you overcome these barriers to become a better leader?
Whether you are a business owner, speaker or a manager. Learning to connect with the people around you at a deeper level will set you and your business apart from others. The more connected the people who buy from you or work for you feel. The more they will want to interact with your business.
If you are someone who wants to be a better connector, this book is a must read.
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