Susan McPherson is a serial connector, seasoned communicator and the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.    Networking is often considered a necessary evil for all working professionals. Even with social media platforms at our disposal, these connections often feel transactional, agenda-driven, and dehumanizing, leaving all of us feeling burnt out and stressed out. Susan shows how we can connect on a human level and build authentic relationships beyond securing a new job or a new investor for your next big idea. To build real and meaningful networking contacts, we need to go back to basics, remembering that technology is just a tool. We need to tap into our humanity and learn to be more intentional and authentic.     Sponsored by...   Cultivate Grit. Amplify Action. Get The Importance of Journaling   We help YOU enjoy the success we’ve already enjoyed. Free downloads of Quick Reference Guides on Delegation, Time Management, Sales, and more.   Key Takeaways [4:45] Susan had good parental role models who were deeply connected to their communities. [7:50] Susan shares why some people might have a bit of hesitation when it comes to reaching out to other people. [11:50] There’s such a lost art to being a better listener. People are notoriously horrible listeners. [13:20] As all of us know deep down, the amount of likes and followers is not an indicator of how connected you are to others. [17:10] Curiosity is a hard thing to teach. Susan shares how you can develop a deeper sense of curiosity in others. [22:25] By having a best friend at work, engagement increases drastically. However, so many people just want to do the work and go home. This is an opportunity for leadership to shine. [25:00] Susan has been incredibly lonely during this pandemic. She shared it with her team, and it allowed for them to share their personal struggles as well. [26:45] Susan shares how she reached out to her community in times of isolation and offers tips on how leaders can do the same. [28:20] When it comes to connecting, people fall apart the most in the follow-up. [31:00] There’s nothing worse than receiving a follow-up email after you meet someone, nine months later! [34:20] Leaders are busy! Susan offers advice on how to connect with others when you’ve got so much going on. [38:10] Susan shares a story behind the power of connecting with others. [42:10] Listener challenge: What’s the community you want to build around yourself?   Quotable Quotes   People are worthy of curiosity.   We have become dependent to the clicks and likes and the follows as a means to measure how well we were connecting with others. “Carve out 15 minutes a week to reach out to a few people you haven’t talked to in a year.”   Resources Mentioned Sponsored by: Pass-life.com. Coupon Code: Duty Connect with Susan: Mcpstrategies.com & Susan on LinkedIn Susan’s book: The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships Julian Treasure on Listening