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How to Connect with a Person Not Like You

Did you know that connecting with another person satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart? Yes, but how do you connect with someone not like you? Remember, the way we see another person affects the way we value that person. Often, if you know little about another person, you care even less. And if you perceive that a person is not like you, you may not be motivated to connect with them.

Connecting with someone like you is easy. We call this homophily. It means we bond with people that are like us because we share common characteristics. It comes more naturally. But how do we connect with someone who is very different from you? You use psychological safety and engage in bridging behavior.

Here’s how:

Step 1.

Pick three differences between you and the other person.

Step 2.

Explore each difference with compassionate curiosity and then find connections between each of those differences.

Step 3.

Express appreciation for the person, the differences, and the connections you have made.

Lead With Influence, Not With Power

Lead as if you have no power. We are being asked to lead in increasingly-dynamic environments. Those who chase innovation will lead as if they have no power. Otherwise, your competitive advantage will expire faster than your adaptive capacity can keep pace.

Building Connection in a Remote Team

Today, teams are built differently. Remote work has changed the way we interact and connect with our colleagues. While team-building activities and personal moments can easily slip through the cracks of your living room couch, valuable connection isn’t off the table. With intentional effort, your remote team can feel just as connected as an in-office team. Here are some LeaderFactor tried-and-true methods of remote connection:

How Psychological Safety Cures Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome. The all-too-common feeling of inadequacy that makes you doubt your successes and achievements. It occurs outside of the comfort zone and triggers a fear of exclusion that motivates you to work harder than necessary to prove your worth.

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