Turn connections into relationships, and relationships into INFLUENCE! Author/Entrepreneur Susan McPherson

<p><b>Episode Title: </b><b> Turn connections into relationships, and relationships into INFLUENCE! Author/Entrepreneur Susan McPherson Episode 191</b></p> <p>THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:</p> <p>In this week’s episode, we’re talking about the power of effective connection — and specifically how to create smart, thoughtful strategies to help us build influence, achieve personal and professional objectives, and to live a happier, more engaged existence. </p> <p>Now you may be saying, “wait, I already connect with people all the time.”  While I’m sure that’s true, do you connect with the objective aimed at actually forging and deeping a relationship? And is connecting with people something that you benchmark along with other areas in your life that you measure. </p> <p>For most of us, it’s not. </p> <p>TODAY’S GUEST: My guest today is Susan McPherson. Susan is the author of a terrific book called “The Lost Art of Connecting: the Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.” </p> <p>I loved this conversation with Susan — as well as her terrific book — and I think you will too. One reason is because she talks about the power of connecting as part of personal and professional growth objectives, and ones that we can measure and manage toward just like other benchmarks. And of course, things we measure tend to be the things that get done, because it’s what we’re paying attention to. </p> <p>Susan talks about how making a genuine connection sparks learning, reduces burnout, spurs innovation, and creates a sense of purpose and well-being — it also combats loneliness. For many people that’s been especially present the past couple of years. </p> <p>I would add that connection is also an essential component needed to build and sustain influence. </p> <p>In addition to being an author, Susan is also the founder of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy that focuses on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is also a prominent public speaker, and a regular contributor to the Harvard Business REview