Click HERE to for a FREE DOWNLOAD specifically designed for the “Hey, Friend” Challenge.
I had the chance to do a networking presentation at work this week and I want to spread the assignment I gave to all of the participants to you.
One of the top principles I talk about in networking – as learned growing up in a town of 600 people – is to MAKE THINGS PERSONAL. This means getting beyond the following scenario:
Me: “Hey, how are you?”
You: “Great, really busy. What about you?”
Me: “Same – busy, but good, you know?”
You: “Yes, well, gotta go.”
The high school youth group at my church refers to this as a “Hey Friend”. The bottom line is that we are surrounded by people we *think* we know. They are our neighbors, work colleagues, daycare parents, classmates, and fellow church-goers. But let’s be honest: how well do you really know these people? When is the last time you’ve had a meaningful conversation with someone who you see all of the time, but don’t know anything about?
Here is the challenge:
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- Write down the name (or description if you don’t know the person’s name) of someone you see often, but know nothing about. Get creative here – it could be someone who is at the coffee shop or gym the same time as you every day; a person you are always in the elevator with at work; the front desk manager at your apartment complex or work building.
- During the next month, take action to get to know something about this person. Connect with them beyond the dialogue above. Figure out what you have in common. Learn about your differences. At the simplest level, learn their name and what their favorite thing to do is.
- Comment below or through one of my social sites on how this works out for you and what connections you were able to make
- Invite your friends to join this challenge.
- I’ll feature my favorite stories in a future blog!
Small Town Leadership Lesson – We are the only ones who can make the world feel like a smaller place. And it starts one person at a time. Make this challenge a part of your normal life and soon wherever you are will feel like a small town.
If you enjoyed this post, check out my series “52 Weeks of Meaningful Connections.” Click HERE to get started with the series.
Love this, thanks for the good reminder. I have been meaning to learn more about a few regular passers by in my life!
Excellent! I look forward to some AWESOME report outs from you!!
I too like this post…I was just telling someone that I felt like it didn’t know much about my fellow employees. Thought about creating a game for a staff meeting to get to know each other a bit better.
I love the idea of a “get to know you” challenge. Our team just did 2 truths and a lie for “national tell a lie day”. The simple act of getting to know other people – and in the process likely developing a better connection and sense of caring – goes farther than we think! Let me know how it goes!