Dave Alsobrooks
On Connection
We are all social beings. Even a loner like myself longs for connection every now and then. We tend to revisit our strongest connections, the ones we trust the most. When there is a strong bond with another person, the exchange of energy has the ability to make us feel secure, alter our perspective, or break down barriers.
Life’s biggest lessons, gifts, and opportunities are found in the moments of connection we form with others. Psychologists have even made the case that we only learn, grow, and develop self through connection with others.
Stemming from his book Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, Emmanuel Acho, the former NFL linebacker turned sports analyst and author, recently suggested that, "Proximity breeds care. Distance breeds fear." As we grow closer to one another and become more connected, our care, empathy, and positivity also increase.
That all feels good, and science essentially tells us more of the same. Connections are central to learning for our brain cells. Neurons in the brain constantly form new connections with each other all the time, aiding the brain in adapting and changing in response to our experiences. That’s not just Darwinian change, mind you, even though <ahem> passing on genes remains at the core of our desire to make connections. Anthropologist Robin Dunbar discovered that the size of our social group, or our connections, is the strongest indicator of brain size. Impressive.
High-quality connections with others create moments when we feel "alive," and these moments form a powerful foundation for learning, development, and engagement. In other words, connections help to broaden our thinking and open our minds to possibilities. It is when we are connected to others that these connections occur most frequently and at their deepest levels.
Connections are vital in building long-term and meaningful relationships with others. Consider how you establish connections with others. What is it based in? Undoubtedly, our connections are found in shared truths with others. Therefore, uncovering truth serves as the initial step or a reliable indicator in fostering meaningful connections. It is the first step in overcoming fear or mistrust caused by distance and separation. Discover your own truths, as well as the truths of your friends, family, and constituents. Identify the points of overlap and stay connected.
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Bound creates connection through surfacing truths and building connection. A free 30-minute consultation provides everything we need to know to put together a plan for articulating your story in a way that is true to you and the promises you wish to make and keep with others. The ones that will help you forge deep relationships that serve the long term health of your endeavor.