Connection Starts With YOU

‘Connecting is all about others.’  It is true that every relationship is a two-way street and we should place emphasis on other people who can significantly impact our trajectory and results. Yet the literal intepretation of John Maxwell’s book chapter title has the danger of ignoring the most influential person in the network, the person reading this chapter right now—--- yourself! 

I have learned from both of my mentors, without whom this book could not have come to life, that we can and should take full ownership of our life results. In my mentor Elinor Moshe’s best-selling book, ‘Constructing Your Career’, she likens our own career to a typical building project where we are in ultimate control of the project from planning, design, construction to operation. 

My own take is that other people may be willing to support you in the way they can and/or believe helpful to you but only you know the best what really works for you, a common thread in multiple chapters in this book. It also does not serve you right if you bend yourself to what others want all the time in nearly all relationships. In every decision you make on the journey of growing connections, there must be at least some vested interest that relates to your visions and goals. 

It is in this spirit that I hope you can start reconsidering your role and influence in your relationships, be it personal or professional, and feel more convicted and empowered in doing as you keep on reading the book. Though anyone rarely succeeds alone and from time to time needs to rely on other people as key stakeholders in your success and progress overseas, you should not take the back seat when it comes to determining where you want to go, how you reach there and with who.