Your Connectedness Talent: Everything Happens for a Reason

On this Theme Thursday Season 3 webcast, Jim Collison, Gallup's Director of Talent Sourcing, and Maika Leibbrandt, Senior Workplace Consultant, talk about Connectedness with guest Nicole Feledy.

Things happen for a reason. You are sure of it. You are sure of it because in your soul you know that we are all connected. Yes, we are individuals, responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will, but nonetheless we are part of something larger. Some may call it the collective unconscious. Others may label it spirit or life force. But whatever your word of choice, you gain confidence from knowing that we are not isolated from one another or from the earth and the life on it.

This feeling of Connectedness implies certain responsibilities. If we are all part of a larger picture, then we must not harm others because we will be harming ourselves. We must not exploit because we will be exploiting ourselves. Your awareness of these responsibilities creates your value system. You are considerate, caring and accepting. Certain of the unity of humankind, you are a bridge builder for people of different cultures. Sensitive to the invisible hand, you can give others comfort that there is a purpose beyond our humdrum lives. The exact articles of your faith will depend on your upbringing and your culture, but your faith is strong. It sustains you and your close friends in the face of life's mysteries.

The definition of Connectedness is that everything happens for a reason. It is not necessarily an attraction to ambiguity, but rather a larger mystery that you can ground in purpose. Some may call this the collective consciousness. It can be about connecting things without necessarily being able to see them. It is the ability to see and respond to the world as if it is a giant system. It is an awareness of the responsibility it brings to the system you are in. Connectedness can bring a calmness with the realization that whatever is happening in the moment is only in the moment and you can move passed it. It is a series of grids and lines that overlays everything.

If, as an individual, Connectedness means for you that your purpose has a reason, as a leader it could mean our work makes a difference. A leader with high Connectedness can be a wise big picture advisor. They are able to zoom out beyond just what is right in front of them, and help a group of people see something bigger. Connectedness brings a calming presence and insight into purpose, reaction and results that otherwise wouldn't be there. If you are a leader with Connectedness find ways to communicate those connections that you see, even if it is not obvious. Don't be afraid to expand others' thinking by giving your ideas perspective. What specific examples of connection and purpose can you illuminate? Find a way to bring that awareness out of your soul and into your words.

It can be your job as a leader to offer perspective, even if in that moment it doesn't make other people happy. Anchor your Connectedness to your values or the values of your organization. What do you want people to connect with? There is a part of Connectedness that isn't just about what is proven or what has already happened. It is that innate ability to be able to see the grid lines regardless.

A leader with Connectedness might build trust by individualizing your reassurance. How do people need to hear your perspective? Do they need facts and figures? Do they need one on one time? How do you make sure you are speaking the language they speak to build trust over time? Stability can be provided by being able to expand others' horizons beyond present chaos. How can you keep people's focus on the long term? Stability is helping people see that wherever we are right now is going to be part of something bigger.

A leader can show compassion by learning other people's stories. What are some big moments in their lives that led them to who they are today? This will feed your curiosity and Connectedness, and your ability to connect on a compassionate level with your followers. Hope shines through with Connectedness by asking the question; how might today lead to an improvement tomorrow? Show up in hard places and ask great questions. Be there to serve where service is most needed. Show up with curiosity. Show up with perspective. Just show up.

Nicole Feledy's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are Strategic, Connectedness, Learner, Intellection and Input.