The true power of connecting with others does not come from superficial interactions with others — smiling at a stranger, being friendly with a food server or wowing a one-time audience. It comes from connecting with people long-term. In ongoing relationships, we are able to make an impact of real value. When we live with consistent integrity with our spouse, children and grandchildren. When we treat our customers, clients and colleagues the way they wish to be treated. When our neighbors see our values and actions lining up. When we lead others with honesty and respect. These are the things that give us credibility, allow us to connect and afford us an opportunity to help others and add value to them. As training consultant Greg Schaffer remarked, “If you do not connect with others, influence is out of the question.”
American writer Henry Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” The same can be said of a connector who has integrity. We can make a difference in our world, but to do so we must begin with ourselves — by making sure our
words and our actions are consistent every day. We must live what we communicate. If we do that, there’s no telling what we will be able to accomplish.
Editor's Note: Take from an excerpt in John C. Maxwell's "Everyone Communicates, Few Connect"
