CHAPTER 4
CONNECT PEOPLE TO EACH OTHER AND THE TASK

In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it, and over it.

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

In the previous chapter, you learned how creating a welcoming environment lays the groundwork for a productive meeting. In this chapter, you will learn how personal connection builds trust. Connection to the task unleashes energy.

I’m back!

We’re so glad you’re here.

Really?

To tell the truth, you’re a pain.

My patience is running thin. I went along with the welcoming business in the last chapter, but enough already. Now you are into this connecting nonsense. You are wasting more of my time. When do I get to do the real work?

This is real work. The real work rests on the base of the first two sections of the Meeting Canoe, welcome and connect people to each other and the task.

If you rush through building the meeting’s foundation, the meeting will crumble. Building a solid foundation for your meeting allows the meeting to carry a heavy load.

What’s your point?

As we said, personal connection builds trust; connection to the task unleashes energy. As connection increases, you beginto learn about others’ capabilities and character and how comfortable you are sharing information with them. Capabilities, character, and disclosure are trust’s core components (Reina and Reina 2006). When people trust each other, the meeting is more efficient. Trust lets you quickly complete the work.

Connection to the task unleashes energy because everyone is pulling in the same direction. A canoe in which you don’t trust people to pull their weight or everyone paddles in a different direction goes nowhere.

I’m for anything that speeds things up. But creating trust takes time.

Right you are. But how much time do you waste because you don’t trust people? You need to spend enough time building trust so that the meeting works.

This feels fluffy to me. I hope you’re not suggesting “trust walks” prior to each meeting.

No trust walks today!

Connecting with others is something you do naturally. Whenever you meet someone new, you search for connections. You try to find out what you have in common. It could be the place where you grew up, mutual acquaintances, or schools you attended. You stop being wary when you learn that you have something in common. You tend to trust people who are similar and distrust those who aren’t.

When you know that others are committed to the task, you pull harder because you know everyone is pulling in the same direction.

You are starting to make sense. But all of this takes time and you know where I stand regarding time.

Connection can occur in less than four minutes. Take, for example, what we call the care conversation. In the care conversation, you share what is important to you at work and why. In less than four minutes, people learn what matters to you. The result is that you feel more connected and engaged with them, and they feel more connected and engaged with you.

I’m all for that.

Unfortunately, many people make perfunctory attempts to connect people that reinforce the belief that connecting is a waste of time.