29. Meeting ‘Em Where They're At: Connection Before Content

Have you ever found yourself speaking at cross purposes with someone, searching for that elusive connection point that might unlock meaningful progress?

What if the most powerful leadership practice isn't about getting straight to business, but about genuinely meeting people where they're at first?

In this solocast episode, I share a story from Papua New Guinea that changed how I think about building trust and connection. When a head of HR literally threw my 360-degree feedback report in the bin, I had a choice: push harder or find another way in.

What happened next taught me something profound about what I call "I-matter conversations" - those moments when someone feels truly seen and heard, not for what they can deliver, but for who they are.

You'll discover:

• Why connection before content transforms resistance into openness
• How to recognise when someone needs to feel they matter before they'll engage
• The power of patience and genuine curiosity when building relationships
• Why investing time in "I-matter conversations" is leadership, not just niceness
• How small moments of authentic listening can unlock breakthrough conversations

Whether you're facing resistance from a team member, trying to build trust quickly, or simply wanting to create more meaningful connections in your leadership, this story will change how you approach those challenging relationship moments.

Sometimes the longest route to getting things done is actually the shortest.

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