It's Halloween - time to network with your neighbours!

What better time to make a few connections? Even us introverts can reach out more comfortably on a night when strange children run up to your door asking for candy while their parents stand by in a shadow. 

A few tricks with the treats:

• Have some disposable cups and some hot coffee in a thermos to offer the parents
• Introduce yourself to the neighbours you recognize that you may not have done more than waved to before
• Offer to pool candy bowls and share porches or door duty for an hour so time passes more quickly
• Crack open a bottle of wine and bring a glass to the neighbours around you before the foot traffic starts
• Prep a little special bag for the children you may know in your 'hood with an extra treat
• Offer to take photos of neighbours and their children when they come by and then trade email addresses

These little kindnesses (and any others you can add) are often remembered and a great way to break the ice. Knowing our neighbours makes our community better for all.

Happy Hallow's Eve!

Tech is not ruining your ability to connect with others

A tool is not a solution; a tool is an accelerator for a solution. Conversely, a tool is not the the single point of failure for something not going well but we do use this kind of thinking as an excuse.

Technology isn't getting in the way of people connecting any more than credit cards force people to go into debt. They are tools and, like any tool, can serve a different purpose than originally intended if the user is determined.

Even 100 Years Ago People Were Worried about Technology Ruining Relationships points out that our desire to connect circumvents obstacles and uses new methods as available to engage.

Yes, it is silly to hold a family dinner with everyone on a smart phone. If in person, be in person. Sit in the moment: watch the movie; listen at the meeting; converse at coffee.

I love knowing I can reach my son in Vancouver via text in the middle of the day. My dad sends me 2am emails for my morning laugh. Dinner dates are arranged while I'm on the commute to work. I also meet folks from around the work via social media - relationship that have moved on to Skype, FaceTime and sometimes trips on cool jets that take me around the globe in less time than it often took me to pack for the trip.

Do you find the issue is more that we're too connected to each other via technology and therefore the only way to gain solitude is to unplug and turn off devices?

Technology is a tool. Community building and networking is a necessity. Use whatever tools we can get!

Anxiety, vulnerability & courage

Mentoring  and networking often evoke three emotions/attributes: anxiety; vulnerability; and courage. I believe emotions are a strength especially when they deepen our self-awareness.

Anxiety can take many forms: insecurity; worry; feeling pressured; or simply jitters while facing a stranger (or a room full of them). It's a natural response. The idea is not to suppress anxiety but understand why it's happening. We are not defined by what we are feeling but how we choose to act on those feelings. I am anxious about a lot of things but I do not let it determine if I do /do not participate.

(Recently, there has been a lot of articles on social media around anxiety as a mental disorder. This post is not about those of us who suffer from long-term or deep anxiety - this is about the normal flutters and worries everyone has.)

Vulnerability is a necessary state for growth. By opening ourselves to others, we invite trust. Yes, it can seem counter-intuitive to attempt remaining open within a professional context. Consider that we are always told to model the behaviours we wish to see around us in our teams and communities. As mentors, or those seeking to make connection, sometimes the best way to invite others is to be inviting. Sharing experiences and ideas is not a new concept ...  nor will it ever be old.

Being vulnerable does not mean a lack of boundaries. It should never mean allowing abuse or disrespect. Vulnerability does include honesty, emotional responses and putting status aside to talk with someone as a peer and a valued contributor.

Choosing to act when anxious or remain open when uncomfortable takes courage. With a willingness to genuinely and authentically interact with others comes fears and previous experiences that cause us to hesitate. I sometimes liken my actions in building community to the ridiculous:  climbing to the top of a building, yelling "Catch me!" as I leap off and sometimes am not caught by the folks below. So I scrape myself back together and eventually go back up the elevator. Occasionally, I pick a shorter building.

Why do it? Why take the risks? Why experience it? That's the key word: "experience." Experiences are our stories that make us who we are. Understanding, feeling and not avoiding our emotions help us process these experiences and allow us to connect more profoundly with the world around us.

We can't avoid anxiety or vulnerability; let's put these emotions to good use - call it being courageous and share with the folks around us.

Sympathy & advice - PB&J?

I had a few personal and professional hiccups last month. Nothing life or career threatening, but certainly upsetting / inconvenient / uncomfortable.

Going to my own mentorees and asking for their advice was like hearing a chorus of validation and anger or concern on my behalf. I felt appreciated but still had little perspective on what to do. The gang just assumed I was strong enough and smart enough to find my own way through with little but a cheering section.

Going to my mentors was a different surprise. The advice was so varied and so vague; I was not sure what was being said. One of my favourite questions to ask when mentoring is "What advice would you give me if the situation was reversed and you were me?" This time, I asked this of my mentors as well. That's where their emotions came into play "I'd tell him to stuff it!," said one.

This taught me a few things:
1 - I obviously don't ask for help a lot and it confuses people when I do.
2 - Having someone genuinely care and be angry on your behalf may not be productive but it feels good - creates a safe place from which planning can be done (and the cheerleader, having established a position of being onside, can then safely challenge plans)
3 - Telling me to not make "an emotional decision" drives me more crazy that the issue itself. Just because I'm showing emotion does Not mean my brains fell out my butt.

I'm now resolved to be a better ear for others in this regard:

• Listen to the problem
• Express outrage/incredulity/etc. at any unfairness
• Question for facts within the anecdote
• Challenge the solution to be fact-based while not requiring emotion to leave the room
• Ensure to close the discussion with a good note, even if there is no solution at that time (sometimes folks just need to talk)

Then start over with wine and probably not get past the second bullet....

d

The V & W list

Exploring the different kinds of mentors there are... We either do these things for others or we seek them for ourselves.

Continuing with "V & W":

V

Varmint-or:                Offers new perspective on those who drive you crazy
Vehement-or:             Moves anger to passion

Vestment-or:              Ensures formal recognition of your success

Vouchsafement-or:    Finds you answers from the top of the house

W

Weldment-or:             Creates lateral thinking
Wilderment-or:          Adds to your confusion

Wonderment-or:         Uncovers new passions in you

Worriment-or:             Helps to unravel the sticky problems