02.04.2025 Today’s Insights from Dr. Travis Bradberry on LinkedIn: How to Instantly Connect with Anyone
Dear Students,
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-instantly-connect-anyone-dr-travis-bradberry-24uaf/
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Too many people succumb to the mistaken belief that the ability to connect with others is a natural, unteachable trait that belongs to only a lucky few. It’s easy to fall prey to this misconception.
www.linkedin.com
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Today’s good news in the Age of AI? The relationships that ambitious international students like you may labor to forge do matter. As noted by the Harvard PhD who coined the term “Social Cognitive Neuroscience,” and mentioned in the above article, “Research conducted by Matthew Lieberman [Professor of Social and Affective Neuroscience] at UCLA shows that being social and connecting with others is as fundamental a human need as food, shelter, and water.”
In this short, yet fascinating piece by bestselling author Dr. Travis Bradberry, soon-to-be professionals (like you and your friends) learn that you are “not alone” in having the uncomfortable feelings that sometimes accompany meeting new people. Dr. Bradberry admits transparently: “Against our own self-interest, we get bogged down by shyness, self-consciousness, cynicism, pride, competitiveness, jealousy, and arrogance.”
Fortunately, his LinkedIn article provides some tips for students and new grads (including you!) alike, who are seeking to “connect” with strangers who you may meet in course projects, while networking, within interviews and on-the-job. Bradberry’s suggestions also handily reflect our program’s emphasis on the power skills that have only become more valuable in recent years:
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Leave a strong first impression (strategic planning, listening, mindfulness)
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Be the first to venture beyond the superficial (risk-taking, verbal communication, creativity)
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Ask good questions (curiosity, inquisitiveness, cultural awareness)
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Learn from them (continuous learning, learning agility, growth mindset)
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Don’t make people regret “removing the mask” (empathy, sensitivity)
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Look for the good in them (abundance mindset, adaptability)
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Smile (motivation, confidence)
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Use their name (attention to detail, initiative)
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Follow the “platinum rule” (customer service orientation, responsiveness)
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Don’t make it a contest (patience, collaborative mindset)
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Turn off your inner voice (self-awareness, resilience, flexibility, stress management)
For candidates aspiring to global leadership roles (which may include you and your classmates), and who’d like to become more comfortable in such situations (which will occur throughout your lives), coaching sessions with experienced professionals who’ve “been there” are a great place to learn more about and develop such skills, within a “safe” environment. And there’s no time like the present!
Here’s wishing that everyone wanting to “connect” with another human this evening finds a connection open to doing so, as well!
Best,
Amy-Louise