Friday Fun - Good Reads

So for those of you who receive my periodic Ripple On News & Notes newsletter know that I am a veracious reader. If you aren't receiving Ripple On News & Notes when it comes out, please go to my website and sign up under the Subscribe heading....it's completely free.

Anyway, I usually highlight what I am reading, watching and listening to. It is my belief that sharing what one reads (or watches and listens to) opens up a world of connection points for others to explore further conversation and dialogue with you. I have had some amazing conversations with many of you about books I was reading or about books I should be reading.

My good friend CJ Romberger, knowing I am a big book fan invited me to participate in a website called Good Reads. Their site is at www.goodreads.com and its a unique way for you to share what you are reading and reviews on the books you have read It is also a fabulous way to for you to meet people from all over the world and gain exposure to a whole litany of great work that you likely would never know if it wasn't for some the very passionate and informative readers you will encounter along the way.

Hope you will check out their site and sign up. Shoot me an invitation to be a friend on there if you do! Though I will admit, I truly need to work on building a better list of books I have read and plan to read but look forward to playing with this unique service over the coming months and reading a lot more!

Ripple On!!!

Steve

The People Whisperer?

Yesterday I had a delightful conversation with a business colleague of mine that claims they have yet another nickname for me amongst the business community here in Austin: The People Whisperer. I was at first perplexed by the comment, naturally defaulting to the images of the crazy Dog Whisperer guy on Animal Planet and worrying the unsolicited title was not meant in a nice way. Sensing my uneasiness with my newly appointed title my colleague quickly pointed out that the comment was meant as a very big compliment.

It seems that despite my public confession of being quite shy and introverted that several people simply don't believe it to be so. He told me that the title sort of began as someone's description of my unusual ability to get most anyone to open up and talk. Apparently another colleague had seen me work my people skills at a recent event where I found myself faced with someone who was not naturally conversational or, and his words here, known to be friendly. It seems that I was able to get this woman talking and ended up connecting her with several people before night's end and they watched this person transform by the end of the event.

I meet so many people that I honestly couldn't tell you who they were actually referring to but it's their story so I believe them. It was apparently that out of this conversation of five or six people who know me that the title was apparently unanimously voted on and approved. As he described in greater detail how many of these colleagues admire me for what I doing to teach people and whole organizations why the power of connection is so critical I found an enormous sense of pride welling up inside. I was truly touched.

I can certainly think of a lot of other titles that wouldn't be nearly as cool nor as valuable to me. But there is something about being recognized and admired by a group of peers for something that honestly I don't believe comes naturally to me. People do scare me. I am introverted...I swear! This whole "get out there and connect" mantra that I talk about over and over again is valid but is something I have to push myself daily to do and I know for some it isn't easy. I also know the rewards far outweigh the potential pitfalls that putting it one's self out there brings so I preach it and practice it with religious conviction.

As I thought about the People Whisperer title, I guess I do have a way about getting through most of the walls and defenses that people put up when communicating with others. I have found so many neat people during this amazing Ripple journey because I was willing to take a chance and get someone to open up and talk. There is no doubt that having a strategy and process for taking advantage of the opportunities to connect with those who cross your path in life is so very worth it.

The good news for you is....if I can do it, so can you. Heck there is no doubt you are more likely better at than I am.

People whisperer eh? I like it!

Ripple On!!!

Ripple Connection Question Of The Week

Ripple Connection Questions are a unique way to engage people in conversation. Whether with a complete stranger or someone you already know, but want to know better, using Ripple Connection Questions (RCQ) accelerate the dialogue and deepen the connection. The questions are by design, fun to ask and fun to answer, and can take your connection to an entirely new level. Come on, break out of that shell of yours and start Rippling.

So with no further adieu....this week's Ripple Connection Question is:

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO
BE DOING IF YOU WEREN'T
DOING WHAT YOU ARE
DOING RIGHT NOW?

I love using this question at networking events and pulling it out before someone can ask me "So Steve what do you do?" The uniqueness of the order of words is always perfect for creating a temporary brain scramble on someone who is used to the same old boring way of networking. This question gives people a reason to pause and to really contemplate what you have just asked them and the answers you will get will simply amaze you.

For example here are some I recently received which gave me great insight and massive opportunities to stir some new connections in an entirely different (and much more fun) direction at a recent networking event (I had to attend).

Ted - Insurance Agent - Would rather be a gourmet cook with a little bistro in the South of France

Marianne - Army Recruiter - Would rather be a professional skydiving instructor and work only with kids from broken homes to teach them what is possible when they push themselves

Mark - Salesman - Would like to be a whitewater raft guide. He only feels at true peace when he is the mountains.

Suzanne - Stay-At-Home-Mom - Would rather travel the country (with kids in tow of course!) promoting a children's book that teaches valuable lessons.

No matter who the question is asked of you will undoubtedly find that everyone can come up with something that person would rather be doing. And the details of what that something is can open up a world of possibilities and connection for you both. Give it a try this week and see what kinds of Ripples this powerful little question can create for your connections!


Ripple On!!!