“Well, that sounds like the nicest way to say I’m a bit...weird!”

I once heard one of my bosses say about me, “Yeah, he connects. But he connects with people differently.” My first reaction? “Well, that sounds like the nicest way to say I’m a bit...weird!”

As I thought more about it, I realized why they said it. When I started my journey as a leader, I was pretty shy. I leaned on my introvert networking skills, like reaching out via email or social media, before meeting people in person. It wasn’t the standard approach, but it was what worked for me.

Here’s the thing - in leadership, connecting with people differently isn’t just okay...it’s actually a strength. Everyone on your team is unique, and being able to adapt your approach to connect with each person in the way that resonates with them is what makes those connections meaningful.

So yes, I connect differently, and I’m proud of it! Because leadership isn’t about fitting into a mold. It’s about meeting people where they are and helping them thrive.

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If you are interesed in having me (the weirdo 🙃) facilitate a workshop called, Everyone Communicates, but Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently, reach out!