Pamela and I recently took a last-minute flight to Lakeland, FL, and then we were off to Fort Lauderdale. Why? To go to a punk and ska show to see some of our favorite bands.
Five Iron Frenzy was playing, accompanied by special guests Ghoti Hook. I’ve loved these bands for ages and couldn’t pass up the chance to see them live.
On our way back, Pamela and I were talking, and we both agreed it was well worth it. Know what else was well worth it? The connections I made while I was traveling.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
3 Ways To Connect
I made multiple connections while we were traveling. Some were expected. Others were unexpected. All can help you find ways to connect better with those you lead.
Start a random conversation:
We flew with Avelo, a budget airline, to get to Florida and back. We’d never heard of the airline but figured what the heck. Let’s go to a punk rock and ska show. On the return trip, a gentleman sat in the window seat next to me.
He was flying to Michigan to visit friends and family in Ludington, MI. He makes the trip regularly and was looking forward to connecting with friends and family. He also met his Italian bride while he was in the military. He loved to crack jokes and smile. You could see it radiating off of him.
Bill, the gentleman, started the random conversation with me. It was magical.
We discussed his family, growing up, the cars he has owned, and how he ended up in Florida. We both enjoyed our conversation, and we fist-bumped as we departed the plane.
There was a connection. And it all started with a random conversation.
As you move about the office, out on the production floor, or interact with customers, say hello. Start a random conversation. Invite someone nearby to join in a conversation.
When you do this, you’re connecting with someone you may not have. You may form a new friendship, discover a business opportunity, or just have a great conversation.
Plan the connection:
While we planned to go see the two bands, I also had an ulterior motive. A long-time friend lived nearby, and he mentioned that he might attend the concert.
Jon and I have known each other for over 10 years online. We’ve run in the same circles, held a Friday morning mastermind together, and share a love for movies and video games. How could we not meet up when we’re going to be so close and attending the same show?
Pamela and I met up with Jon and Dante, his son, for dinner at a fantastic Peruvian restaurant. We dined on international cuisine, shared stories, and finally connected in person.
Our connection wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t planned to meet up.
You miss a lot of connections if you don’t plan to connect. Think about how many trips you’ve taken… Was there a connection that could have been made but was missed due to a lack of planning? Probably.
The next time you travel, think about whom you could connect with. It could be a business associate, an acquaintance, or a long-lost family member. Planning to connect is the best approach.
Randomly connect:
After the concert, I looked at my phone. I had received a random friend request. Their name didn’t ring a bell.
I looked at their Facebook profile and saw why they reached out to connect. We had both attended the show and loved Five Iron Frenzy.
Our mutual love for a band formed a new friendship.
What random thing could connect you to someone new? Is it a Sunday night Bible study? Did someone make a random comment on a blog post? Did you attend a concert together but separately?
Those are all random encounters that can turn into a connection.
Connections Matter
Whether you like it or not, the world is so interconnected. It’s said that West Michigan is a place where you get a job based on who you know, not what you know. It’s probably true.
It’s all about the connections you have and the ones you’re making. They matter.
Make sure you connect with those around you.
