The effective connection in communication is mainly built on your ability to identify yourself with people and to relate to them. To become more productive and influential as a leader and as a person, you need to learn how to connect genuinely with others. Your empathy and social emotional abilities are fundamental. Furthermore, it is good that you understand the 5 key communication principles to be able to establish connections with people.

1- Effective connection increases your influence in every situation

A genuine and sincere sense of connection can overcome all kinds of other difficulties and challenges. A study made by thousands of managers has shown that there is a direct and measurable correlation between their success and their ability to connect with people to achieve their OKRS – Objectives and key result. It follows that your ability to connect can create or destroy what you do in every area of your professional career and your personal life. If you are good at connecting, you will get more. Although at first it may seem somewhat counter-intuitive, the smaller the group is, the more important it becomes to connect. Great leaders are always very competent in connecting with people, one by one, in a group context and when they make a formal presentation in front of an audience.

2 – Effective connection is always focused on others

Focus on what is important to others and you will be one of the most interesting people you have ever met. What I said may seem obvious, but it’s a very difficult thing to put into practice, even for me as I’m transferring it.

There are many reasons why you can forget to focus on others …

• Your degree of immaturity can encourage you to be self-centered rather than looking outside;
• You could have a super-developed ego and an exaggerated sense of personal importance;
• You could be so focused on your agenda that you don’t give reasonable space to others;
• You could try to do everything by yourself rather than exploit the synergy of others to get the maximum result;
• You may not trust others and / or feel insecure.

To compensate and overcome this kind of difficulty in creating authentic connections, you must always keep in mind how and what you would answer to the three fundamental questions that everyone asks:

• Do you care about me?
• Can you help me?
• Can I trust you?

If you get into the habit of thinking about the other person’s perspective and then exploring what’s important to you, you always connect.

3 – The effective connection goes beyond the words you say

Whenever you try to connect with someone, you can at first assume that what you say is the decisive factor in determining whether you are connecting or not.

The third of the communication principles states that …

Visual connection – What others see (55%)

People expect every type of communication to be a visual experience. Whenever you’re in front of other people to communicate – a stage, a meeting room, a dance floor or a coffee table – the visual impression will help or hinder you. The other part must see that you are paying attention to them through your gestures, your posture, your clothing, your behavior, your facial expressions and your dedication.

Emotional connection – What others perceive (38%)

Whatever is inside you, positive or negative, will come from you when you communicate with others. People may not hear your words, but they perceive your attitude. In fact, your attitude, your passion and energy, often dominate the words you use when you talk to others. When you talk to people, help them feel what you feel. Don’t just give them the facts, but also inject your emotions and perceptions.

Verbal connection – What others listen (7%)

Words have had the power to change the world. Use the right words to make a good impact, with the right tone, inflection, timing, volume and rhythm. But always remember that they only occupy 7% in communication.

4 – Effective connection always requires energy

The fourth of the communication principles states that

Here are the five ways to generate energy.

Connecting requires initiative

You start first, rather than waiting for the other person to try to establish a connection with you.

Connecting requires clarity

Prepare yourself so that you can speak and act clearly because people want it.

Connecting requires patience

Be patient and slow down a little to give your ideas time to sink and take root.

Connecting requires altruism

Give rather than receive and do everything to help other people do the things they want to do.

Connecting requires resistance

It is important for you to find ways to recharge your energy, which you will draw on when you want to connect with others.

5 – Knowing how to connect is an acquired skill rather than a talent

The fifth of the communication principles states that. If you want to be a better communicator or a better leader, you can’t rely on luck. You must learn to get in touch with others by making the most of all your skills and experiences. Ask yourself why people choose to connect with you.

There are probably at least 6 major factors …

Your relationships: Who you know and what your credentials are.

Your sacrifices: How he lived, the obstacles you have overcome and the difficulties you have endured.

Your success: What you did in your whole career or in your life.

Your skills: What you can do and the skills you have in some specific area.

Your integrity: How you behave and the strength of your character.

Your altruism: Your ability to focus on others and develop solutions for them.