The Art of Connection Quotes

“Even if you’re not broadcasting your personal life to the universe through social media, choose your confidants wisely and with discretion. Your ability to keep your personal details close to your vest will encourage others to feel that you are trustworthy enough to be trusted with their personal details.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“A discreet person . . .

• is strong, yet humble;
• expresses genuine concern and interest;
• exercises caution to avoid unnecessary risks;
• knows intuitively when a situation or conversation is heading in the wrong direction;
• does not need to tear others down to build himself up;
• refrains from using foul language or speaking brashly;
• regulates her reactions and responds appropriately;
• takes the higher road rather than wrestling in the mud;
• remains gracious and poised in the heat of the moment;
• refrains from unnecessary confrontations;
• does not break confidence or share other people’s secrets with which they have been entrusted;
• communicates with deliberation and confidence.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“8 Ways to Shine a Positive Light on Others

1. Let the other person appear smart. The person who desperately tries to be the smartest person in the room inevitably comes off as the least.
2. Don’t bring attention to anything which may embarrass another person. Whether your conversation partner has poor grammar, a pimple on his chin, or lacks social grace, a discreet person does not say or do anything which would make another feel ashamed, embarrassed, or humiliated. Allow the other person to maintain his own grace and dignity.
3. Ask their opinions, seek their advice, ask them inquiring questions. By allowing them to reveal their opinions and knowledge, you will demonstrate respect and make them feel important.
4. Practice patience. Sometimes it takes a person a moment to gather her thoughts, process information, or respond appropriately. Your patience is respectful and appreciated.
5. Maintain your calm. Rather than react with anger or defensiveness, regulate your response and shift the energy into a more positive direction.
6. Put your ego aside. Allow another to triumph and enjoy the spotlight.
7. Be aware and concerned for the feelings of others.
8. Purposely seek ways to put others at ease and make them feel comfortable.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“UN-Impressive Acts of Indiscretion

• Forwarding other people's emails without getting permission.
• Throwing other people under the bus to save yourself.
• Talking loudly, being boorish and insensitive to the others around you.
• Flagrant cheating.
• Burning bridges.
• Talking smack.
• Dissing your competitor to your customer.
• Oversharing and revealing too much personal information about yourself and others.
• Breaking trust by sharing someone else’s secrets.
• Being passive-aggressive to manipulate a situation or person.
• Saying one thing and doing another.
• Being two-faced.
• Lying by omission.
• Dispensing bulls#@%!”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Be Interested & Interesting. People will be more interested in you when you are interested in them. If you want to impress, talk to them about . . . them.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“1. Building Trust & Rapport. Trust and rapport are the heartbeat of business, the backbone of high performing teams, and the secret sauce for healthy relationships.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“When we look at our words and deeds in this context, it strengthens our resolve to be incredibly selective. Everything we say and do becomes a part of who we are and how we connect to others.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“The truth may be true, but a discreet person understands that speaking the truth isn’t always helpful. It can also be hurtful and harmful.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Learn to choose your battles carefully. When you exercise discretion, you will realize that most fights are best avoided. Let those sleeping dogs sleep!”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“The irony is that their enthusiasm for personal revelation can backfire badly and have the opposite effect. People become their own worst enemies and don’t need anyone else’s help in making themselves the brunt of gossip, judgment, and ridicule. A person who overshares demonstrates a lack of dignity, maturity, and discrimination, and it may also be a strong indicator of self-absorbed narcissism and exhibitionism.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Oversharing

Why do some people feel the need to share their deepest, darkest secrets with complete strangers or on social media? How could saying too much, too soon possibly help their case or earn the respect of others? Perhaps their insatiable need to share every sordid detail of their existence satisfies a yearning to get attention, gain sympathy, or make friends.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Do you approach people with a heart of service or with a hidden agenda? Make no mistake, will feel your intentions, even when not spoken.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“13 Ways to Make Other People Feel Important

1. Ask people questions about themselves, their interests, their families, their passions and their lives.
2. Catch people doing things right, pat them on the back, and acknowledge them for a job well done.
3. Celebrate their successes.
4. Be lavish in your compliments and sincere in your praise.
5. Be appreciative and say thank you.
6. Listen with genuine interest.
7. Respect their opinions.
8. Encourage people with words of affirmation and validation.
9. Brag about people behind (and in front of) their backs.
10. Make the time and space to be fully present and engaged.
11. Spend quality time together.
12. Share your authentic self and be real.
13. Offer comfort and compassion.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“What gives you your sense of importance and makes you feel special? Who and what bring out the best in you? What does it take to make you feel like a million bucks and ready to take on the world? When people make you feel important, doesn’t it elevate them in your eyes? Learn to do the same for others.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“So, how can you move beyond awkward silence with virtual strangers to becoming new friends? By asking great questions! Once a few inquiring questions were placed, I would let them do all the talking.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Well-crafted and open-ended questions typically begin with What, Why, When, Who, How, and Where, all of which can prompt the most delightful of conversations.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“When a leader nurtures an environment of trust, respect, and honesty—business soars, creativity and problem-solving are inspired, and collaboration enables people get more done in less time.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Rapport allows you to create a friendly compatibility and easy companionship which feels comfortable and enjoyable.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“What are those behaviors that make us take pause to think twice about a person’s trustworthiness? Guarded body language, lack of eye contact, nervous fidgeting, interrupting, speaking ill of others, lying, arrogance, and gossip to name a few.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“I’ve Got to Trust You to Like You

People want to do business with people whom they like and trust. If anything in a business presentation raises concerns or doubt about your trustworthiness, everything shuts down. And then there's little hope of moving forward in a positive way—you’re done.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“As soon as someone believes you cannot be trusted, you are stopped dead in your tracks. Whether this perceived loss of trustworthiness is true or false, the perception alone can be damaging.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Earning Trust & Cooperation

The number one thing which stands between you and meeting a new person is tension. What is the number one thing which stands between a sales person and their prospect? You guessed it . . . tension. One of our first priorities as we initiate a first impression must be to focus on how to effectively minimize or eliminate tension.
Regardless of your relationship or venue, when tension is high, trust and cooperation are low. When tension is reduced, trust and cooperation increase. It is an inverse relationship. So, how can you move to reduce tension in your first impressions to increase trust and cooperation? Put yourself in their shoes and seek to relate to them with an equal footing on a level playing field. Demonstrate how you can bring value to their lives.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Communicating on the surface can be easy. But when you want to dig deeper and connect with more profound impact, you’ll need to achieve greater understanding, especially when others have personalities, experiences, needs, and preferences different from your own.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Commonality & Camaraderie. By identifying, developing, and connecting powerful points of reference to others, you will have a rich resource of information from which to engage in stimulating conversations and connect on amazing levels.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Make Others Feel Important. We all have an innate desire to feel important, be special, and feel appreciated. In your words and behavior help others feel important.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Use Fun & Humor. Humor lightens spirits, comforts through a challenge, brings people together, engages, and entertains. Bring delight and joy to others and you will leave them wanting more.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Use Discretion & Good Judgment. Don't share your most embarrassing moments with public exposure. Doing what is right is not always easy and can require uncommon courage. Be brave my friends, living right is its own reward.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Be a Discovery Expert. Be inquisitive. A wonderful way to get to know someone is simply by asking questions. The more you ask, the more you can learn . . . about people, work, life.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“Be Personable & Friendly. People who are genuinely warm and sincerely kind are easy to talk to, easy to like and bring a positive vibe to new encounters and social situations.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact

“The Truth Can Hurt . . .

“Honesty is one of your most valuable virtues, however, when used without discretion, it can reap unfavorable repercussions.”
― Susan C. Young, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact