Meeting Others Where They Are
Korn Ferry CEO Gary Burnison says big employee gatherings are not only to impart information, but also to create emotional and psychological connections.
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry. For more career advice, read his latest book, I Need a Job!
“Does it get any better than this.…”
This wasn’t really a question. The observation made to me by a colleague just the other day was equal parts statement and sentiment about what we were all feeling. The energy was palpable and as ebullient as the balloons floating toward the ceiling.
It happened at a recent gathering we held, one of a series of events bringing together thousands of colleagues from around the world. This stop: London, with people traveling from across EMEA to be there.
Yes, there were presentations, discussions and learning. But equally important, there were hugs, laughter and smiling faces. It was non-stop selfies. Impromptu group pics. The vibe was absolutely contagious.
This same dynamic was generated when our colleagues from the Americas and APAC got together over the past few months. Each time, something truly special was in the air.
Connections were forged, renewed and strengthened.
It has truly been the embodiment of meeting others where they are. And that’s where the double meaning of meeting comes in—as noun and verb. It’s not just physical proximity, but also psychological and emotional connectivity.
Six years ago, almost to the day, I wrote a Special Edition message entitled “Meeting Others Where They Are.” It’s no coincidence that I’m revisiting this theme today.
No doubt, back then, there were different circumstances, different challenges. Yet, much remains the same today and, in fact, will never really change: People hunger for connection. It’s simply human nature; we’re wired to belong.
This is what our firm’s psychologists call connectorship. Grounded in trust, nurtured by authenticity and fostered through shared experiences, connectorship makes us feel part of something bigger than ourselves.
And isn’t that what leadership is all about? We’re transporting people from one place to another—to a future place that may not be fully visible today.
There is a practical benefit here as well. The more people genuinely connect, something remarkable happens. Excitement begins to build. People become invested not only in what must be done, but also in one another.
That progression of connection has a name. It’s called discretionary energy.
Think of it as the willingness to give more than what’s merely required. When we unleash our discretionary energy it’s not because we have to, but because we want to.
And yet, if we’re honest, there is only so much time, effort and energy to allocate these days, especially with everything that’s competing for our attention. Our inclination may be to hunker down and preserve our intellectual and emotional batteries.
But leadership requires something more.
Many times, the mistake in leadership is treating people like human doings rather than human beings. It’s telling them what to do instead of what to think about.
Our goal as leaders, however, is to make people feel better after an interaction than they did before. To Inspire … Empower … Motivate … Celebrate. And to Connect.
Because here’s the thing: When people feel connected, they become engaged. And when they’re engaged, that’s when their discretionary energy is unleashed. And everyone becomes energized.
In short, when we meet people where they are that’s when extraordinary things become possible.
Does it get any better than that?
