Remember when our parents warned us not to talk to strangers? While sound advice for a child, it might be holding you back as an adult. I’ve discovered that some of my most valuable business relationships and opportunities began with a simple conversation with someone I didn’t know.
For many people, initiating conversations with strangers feels uncomfortable, even intimidating. Worries of rejection, safety, or awkwardness play a part just as much as the question of what value these interactions could possibly bring. Meaningful connections happen less through formal structures than they happen organically, through genuine conversations and small acts of helpfulness, with no immediate agenda beyond human connection.
People generally appreciate it when you’re honestly curious about their lives. And why not be? There’s plenty to learn. Understand that every stranger represents a potential connection, opportunity, or simply a moment of human engagement that enriches both lives. Start small, perhaps with a genuine compliment or thoughtful question to someone you encounter regularly but haven’t really spoken with. These tiny moments of connection compound over time into a network that supports your growth in ways you can’t predict.
Who is one person you see regularly but haven’t really connected with yet?
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