6 Practices to Transform How You Connect
Hello!
I've been thinking about how much of life comes down to connection—whether it’s navigating a tricky conversation, rallying a team, or just wanting to feel heard. The way we communicate can truly change everything.
So, I thought I'd share six truths about building connections that have made a big impact in my own life. These aren’t just concepts—they’re simple, practical tips to help you connect more authentically, listen with intention, and express yourself with clarity and kindness.
The beauty of these truths lies in their simplicity. You don’t have to master everything at once. Start small—choose one truth, focus on it, and practice the tips. Over time, these small shifts will add up to big changes. Every conversation, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is a chance to grow and strengthen your relationships.
1. Self-Awareness Is the foundation of great communication.
Understanding your communication style, stress triggers, and habits is the first step to building better connections. You can’t change what you don’t recognize.
Take the Communication Style Assessment: Identify your dominant style and uncover patterns that influence how you interact with and impact others.
Keep a Journal: Reflect on conversations that went well or poorly and identify what contributed to the outcome.
Seek Feedback: Ask trusted colleagues, friends, or family how you come across in conversations and listen with an open mind.
2. Stress exposes your default patterns.
Under stress, your communication style often shifts into less productive behaviors. Learning to recognize and manage these patterns allows you to respond with intention instead of reacting impulsively.
Notice Your Triggers: Make a list of common stressors that impact your communication and brainstorm healthier ways to respond.
Pause Before Responding: Use the 3-second rule to take a breath and collect your thoughts when you feel pressured or stressed.
Practice Stress-Relief Techniques: Incorporate daily habits like 5 minute breaks, meditation, or physical activity to reduce your overall stress levels.
3. Listening is more powerful than speaking.
Great communicators spend more time listening than talking. Active listening fosters trust, understanding, and collaboration, creating a foundation for meaningful relationships.
Eliminate Distractions: Put your phone away, stop multi-tasking, and focus fully on the person speaking to show that they have your undivided attention.
Let Them Finish: Avoid interrupting or jumping in with solutions until they’ve finished; try counting to three to be sure they are done.
Listen for What’s Unsaid: Pay attention to tone, pauses, or hesitations that might reveal deeper emotions or concerns.
4. Your body speaks before your words do.
Nonverbal cues like posture, facial expressions, and tone of voice often communicate more than your words. Aligning your body language with your message strengthens your impact.
Maintain an Open Posture: Sit up straight, shoulders relaxed, and body angled slightly toward the other person.
Use Your Face to Communicate: Let your expressions align with your words—show empathy, excitement, or concern as appropriate.
Make Eye Contact: Maintain consistent but natural eye contact (about 70–80% of the time) and be sure to include everyone that’s in the conversation.
5. Clarity and kindness are not opposites.
You can be direct and kind at the same time. Communicating clearly, with respect and empathy, allows you to get your point across without alienating others.
Start with Your Intentions: Set an intention that will create a constructive and positive outcomes. Share your intention upfront.
Craft Your Message Thoughtfully: Take a moment to think about how your words will land. Be clear. Be warm. And let them know you care about the relationship.
Match Your Tone and Body Language: Be sure your tone is calm and empathetic, and your body language is open.
6. Consistency builds trust.
How you show up repeatedly matters more than a single interaction. Consistently communicating with honesty, clarity, and respect builds trust and strengthens relationships over
Follow Through on Promises: Make commitments you can keep and take responsibility for delivering on them.
Establish Rituals: Create consistent ways of showing people that you care, like weekly check-ins or expressing gratitude regularly.
Own Your Mistakes: We’re human, so we’re going to make mistakes. When you mess up, acknowledge it, apologize, and take steps to make it right.
If these ideas resonated with you and you’d like to take your communication skills to the next level, I invite you to join me for Elevate Your Influence, a 6-month mastery program designed to help you transform the way you connect, lead, and communicate.
The course runs from February 7 to July 10, 2025. You will learn how to master your communication style, build stronger relationships, and confidently express yourself. And I promise it will be fun!
You’ll join live monthly trainings, group coaching and practice sessions, and receive personal coaching. And by the end of our 6 months together, you’ll have the tools, strategies, and practices you need to communicate effectively, build trust, and create a happier life.
Space is limited to 8, so secure your spot today and come join me!
Happily,
Maryanne
