“Leadership is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.” – Michele Jennae
This quote resonates deeply with me because it gets to the heart of what true leadership is: building bridges, not just managing a team. A leader’s most significant impact isn’t found in a top-down directive, but in the connections they facilitate. At its core, leadership is an act of service, and its greatest rewards come from helping others achieve things they might not have been able to on their own.
The Essence of Leadership
The real work of a leader goes far beyond simple introductions. It’s about consciously and proactively building a supportive ecosystem where people can thrive.
- Connecting People with People: Great leaders are master team-builders. They see the unique strengths and skills of individuals and create powerful collaborations that would not have happened organically. This might mean introducing a data scientist to a marketing strategist to find a new way to analyze customer behavior, or bringing together two colleagues from different departments to solve a shared, long-standing problem. These connections build a foundation of trust and innovation.
- Connecting People with Ideas: Leaders are curators of knowledge. They don’t have to have all the answers, but they must be adept at finding and sharing new ideas. This involves encouraging your team to step outside their comfort zone, explore emerging technologies, or simply providing a fresh perspective that unlocks a new solution. By acting as a conduit for ideas, you empower your team to think differently and creatively.
- Connecting People with Opportunities: The most impactful leaders are those who are invested in the growth of others. They are constantly on the lookout for ways to help their team members succeed, whether that’s recommending a junior employee for a stretch assignment or connecting a colleague with a networking opportunity. This proactive approach to career development is the hallmark of a leader who truly cares about the people they lead.
- Connecting People with Purpose: Beyond the tactical, a leader’s most profound role is to connect their team’s daily work to a larger mission. This means clearly articulating why their contributions matter, how their efforts fit into the bigger picture, and the positive impact they are making on the company, the industry, or even the world. When people understand their purpose, their motivation becomes intrinsic.
- Connecting People with Resources: Leaders are facilitators, not gatekeepers. They connect their teams with the tools, information, and support they need to succeed. This could be anything from securing a new software license to getting access to specialized training or even just connecting them with the right person in another department who has the information they need.
My Personal Connection to This Principle
Throughout my career, I’ve always viewed my personal network not as a list of contacts, but as a living ecosystem of shared knowledge and mutual support. For me, connecting with people has always been about genuine curiosity. I’ve made it a point to get to know people not just for what they do professionally, but for who they are—their passions, their challenges, and their aspirations. This has allowed me to act as a connector in a very personal way, whether it’s by seeing a job opportunity for a friend and making the introduction, or simply making a connection between two people I knew would hit it off and spark a great collaboration. This approach has not only enriched my professional life but has also led to meaningful, lasting relationships that extend far beyond business cards or a LinkedIn request. It’s a testament to the belief that your greatest success is found in the success of others, and it’s a practice I’ve maintained as a core habit for decades.
Book Recommendation: The Power of Generosity
If you want to dive deeper into this topic, I highly recommend “Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Own Success” by Adam Grant. Grant argues that success is increasingly determined by how we interact with others. He introduces three types of people: Givers, Takers, and Matchers. He makes a compelling case that givers—those who are always looking for ways to add value to others’ lives—ultimately achieve the most profound and lasting success. The book provides powerful, data-driven examples that illustrate how creating and nurturing connections is not only a core leadership strategy but a fundamental key to a more fulfilling career and life.
The most rewarding part of leadership isn’t about the title; it’s about the people you lift up along the way.