5 Ways To Connect
Feb 24, 2026
“The number one criteria for advancement and promotion for professionals is an ability to communicate effectively."
--Harvard Business Review
I'm facilitating a mastermind for a company in Michigan on the book by John Maxwell, "Everyone Communicates, Few Connect." Connecting with others is everything when it comes to communication. Communication is a topic that invariably comes up much of the time when I am asked to serve an organization. I think this makes sense because we live in a society that "looks out for number one" much of the time. Connecting adds value to others because we're concentrating on them more than ourselves. Connecting helps us meet people where they are and increases our influence with them. To be successful, to have fulfilling relationships, and to make a difference in our sphere of the influence, we need to learn how to connect. 
John Maxwell gives us five ways to connect well with people in his book. Here are short summaries:
1. Find Common Ground--Let's get to know a little bit about the person with whom we want to connect. Know the reasons that our listeners want to communicate about and find out what we have in common. Commonality builds bridges in conversations.
2. Keep it Simple --Be crystal clear in our communication. We can't expect people to understand the acronyms that we use at work. We need to talk with others on the same level. A confused mind always says ''No." I can't remember who said that, but I have found that a connection isn't so clear if there is misunderstanding.
3. Create An Enjoyable Experience--Find out what THEY think is important and relate to them on their terms. Relax, be interesting and actively listen. Everyone enjoys talking about what is important to them!
4. Inspire People--Believe in people. This helps them believe in themselves. Challenge, motivate and encourage people to grow into their greatness. People need to feel our confidence in ourselves and in them. We can then inspire them to action in the direction of their desires.
5. Live What We Communicate--We are our message. We should be authentic and walk our talk. This takes reflecting on those areas where we need personal improvement, and embarking on the journey of growth. My coaching mentor always says, "Until we make the unconscious conscious, it will rule our lives and we will call it fate."
Connecting is a choice. Those who take the time and energy to connect take their relationships and therefor their lives to a higher level. If you would like this mastermind for your company or church, reach out to me!
Warmly,
Jan
Jan McDonald
Maxwell Leadership Certified Team