Connecting is about others – and I BLEW it!

Last night my eight year old daughter suggested a family walk, and as four of us set out she asked: “Dad, can you talk to me on our walk tonight?  You usually just talk to mom, not me.”OUCH!  It’s true. Most of the time when Holly and I go for a walk we use that time to catch up with each other.

Feeling guilty (because I really want to be connected to my little girl, and I know I’ve been dropping the ball) I decided to talk to her.

I started talking about the home renovations we are planning and the difference between sewers and septic systems.

Shortly after I began, she abandoned the conversation to ride her brother’s bike.

Watching this unfold, Holly observed:
“Tom, you’re a professional at this? You know this would make a great story for your to tell.”
Holly is right (as usual.)

Connecting is all about others.  What did Stephanie want to talk about?  The only way to find out was to ask, and then listen!On the way home I made a point to ask her about her day.  I listened attentively as she shared her experience in the Easter kid’s choir with me, and then told me about her achievements in a spelling game she had been playing.

Thanks to Holly, I think I recovered from that screwup.

Going deeper

• Quick video: 6 Ways to Make People Like You
• Bob Burg’s book “Endless Referrals”
• John Maxwell’s Winning with People
• Or, Give me a call!  I can help you with this!