‘The Connectors’ Series | Unspoken Leaders: Part I
Nappiness / Pixabay
Why connect? The importance of reaching out to others beyond that which is just a surface communication or a passing or fleeting touch upon an individual’s consciousness, can make the difference between success and failure in so many aspects of our lives. A connection with another human is vital to create a sense of community, a sense of belonging, and trust. Only then to we allow others past the surface and extend ourselves in return. Connecting with others is an absolute must for leaders, but it also applies to creating lasting friendships, solid professional networks, establishing credibility, and even increases your clientele.
Connecting with other people is a skill that can be taught, but it also requires energy and a drive to want to reach out to other people – to put them first. Through connecting we let others know that we care about them, we want the best for their success, and we are committed to their well-being.
While reading John Maxwell’s book: Everyone Communicates, Few Connect – I have made a point of observing those that have the ability to create meaningful bonds with others in order to help me understand not only the importance of making connections but to also study their methods. Fortunately I have powerful connectors in my life; either as a past influence, an experience, or as a current mentor. This series will discuss what makes these individuals stand out, special, and how they extend themselves to form bonds with others to be an Unspoken Leader.
Sarah Martin
sarahmartinyoga.com
I don’t think Sarah will mind if I call her one of the greatest ‘Connectors’ I have ever seen. She will, most likely, say something humble in response and to shift the attention from her to others. You see: this is the same with all those that have skill in creating bonds with other individuals. They are typically humble, live to serve others, and lift them up. To them: their life is all about how they can add value to other humans. This is the spirit of true Leadership.
Sarah is an inspiration that has come in the form of a very talented, insightful, dedicated, and caring yoga instructor. She left her successful career corporate job to do that which she loves the most: serve others and empower them through yoga practice. This gutsy and heart-felt career shift to being a full-time yoga instructor fits her perfectly. Why? Because she is a fabulous connector.
To excel in crafting bonds with other individuals one must demonstrate and truly embody a message that says “I Care About You”. Sarah does this through many means, but one has struck me in particular: she does her very best to remember every single person’s name in her classes. The enormity of this task becomes clear when you realize that, at the time of this article, she teaches between 4-5 classes a week with an average of 20 people per class. Some, like me, are regulars and make this process a little less mind-blowing – however, that’s quite a few people every week!
Regardless of how full the classes can be during busy seasons or promotional events: Sarah puts forth a genuine effort to ask for and remember each person’s name. At the beginning of class, she walks slowly around the room greeting each person and touching base with each new face to get to know them. Imagine the impact! How often does anyone ask to know someone’s name in mad rush of life or even make an attempt to recall it the next time they see you? Most of us will fumble around with the excuse “I’m not very good with names”, which is mainly due to the fact that our brains are overloaded with so much else.
sarahmartinyoga.com
No excuses with Sarah; she does her very best to make that personal connection and speak to as many people as she can at each class. She is refreshing also in that she brings something of value to each class for students to ponder that may positively impact their lives. Yes, you are there to practice yoga, but if Sarah can impart some deeper thought-provoking concept to her students that may lighten their daily burdens or shift perspectives in a positive way – she will. Her purpose, her mission, is to add value to others and in so doing she not only selflessly gives of herself and her time; Sarah also wants each person to understand that she cares about them personally.
The result? Sarah is a leader in the yoga community. Because she has given of herself to others, others would more than willingly give of themselves to her. She has many yoga students that follow her and will support her should she need it. This is what true leadership is. Sarah’s impact may not be clear to her, but knowing the amount of people she has touched, the impact reaches farther than she may believe. Two classes a week as grown into eight classes taught by either by Sarah herself or her students in her vision.
By watching Sarah, who is also my yoga teacher, empower others and do her very best to lift them up via the vehicle of yoga: it has given me the courage to do the same through other means. This is how leaders build legacy. By lifting and inspiring other through selfless acts of kindness, encouragement, and caring – they in turn may create leaders to carry on the vision and the passion to serve others. Congratulations to Sarah for, perhaps unwittingly, becoming one of the greatest unspoken leaders I know.
