I think more and more
people in
business (and life in general) are
realizing that people are not exactly like them. Simply put, we live in a global community where not everyone looks, sounds, or acts the same. In addition to obvious physical
differences, we also have
different interests, values, and goals. Thus, to be successful in business (and in life) one needs to understand, get along with, and ultimately connect with people that are different from him or herself. The Art of
Connecting takes the difficulty out of connecting with anyone. The key is not to pour over Chinese history books for two weeks before that meeting in Beijing. Nor is it to be friendly and aloof because you are unsure of how to act. The secret is merely realizing that we all are individuals (we are all our own culture as the
book states). Watching, listening, and trying to find common ground with each person as an individual is much more likely to allow you to overcome overt differences, build rapport, and communicate effectively.
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