Compelling Connections
How and Why Our Influence Matters
At this year’s CWC FPRA half-day seminar, we had the fantastic opportunity to hear from Tim Walsh, game designer, author and speaker. Tim spent the morning sharing stories, theories and ideas about the significance of human connection. Check out some key takeaways and learnings from Tim –
Four Theories:
- You are the center of a very sophisticated network.
- Your influence travels far further than you realize.
- You are responsible for your influence.
- It is good to have fun while attempting to prove theories.
Tim shared the idea that compelling connections with others give our lives purpose and meaning, and empathy is so important. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, but despite the common misconception, it doesn’t only apply to negative feelings! Positive feelings are just as relevant, and the mirror neurons in our brains wire us to connect through imitation. That’s why smiles and yawns are contagious!
Your influence and connections matter. Everything we do or say tends to ripple through our networks to influence our friends (one degree), or friends’ friends (two degrees) and even our friends’ friends’ friend (three degrees). Several things create compelling connections in addition to empathy, including relationships, respect, listening, stories and vulnerability.
Our awesome keynote had some recommendations for attendees –
- Check out Brene Brown’s TED Talk about vulnerability and the courage to be imperfect. That’s what compelling connections are all about!
- Look into buying the book Right Brain Red, 7 Ideas for Creative Success by Reyn Guyer. It’s all about teams and relationships leading to success. We > Me!
- Lastly, read the book Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives by Nicholas A Christakis.
What are YOU going to do with your influence?
