connecting with others – a key lawyering skill
Yesterday, many of us talked and thought about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and how he deeply connected with people through his impassioned words. As I was reading my blog feeds, I noticed a beautiful symmetry of insight into the importance of connecting with those we lead, serve and want to inspire.
Contemplating the key markers of successful public speaking, Garr Reynolds of Presentation Zen shares that “the greatest assembly of words in the world does not matter much if it does not register with the audience, if it is not meaningful to them.”
I couldn’t agree more. We can talk to clients, prospects or any target audience until we’re (and they’re) blue in the face; but it won’t make a dent unless we sincerely address their needs or concerns or offer ways to make their lives better. It’s the conviction, genuine care and understanding behind our words that gives them credence. Otherwise, they’re just words.
At Management Craft, a post by Lisa Haneberg nicely punctuates this point with a terrific cartoon by Hugh MacLeod and the apt observation: “The content gets you in the door but the connection is what really matters.”
The power inherent in genuinely connecting with people is also underscored in a post on Emotive Leadership from Tom Peters. Tapping themes I’ve discussed here before – the leadership-service nexus and looking beyond people’s titles and roles – Peters remarks that one of the hallmarks of accomplished leader-servants is their desire and ability to authentically connect with people on an emotional level.
