5 Ways to Connect with Almost Anyone
Building meaningful connections can create new opportunities, enhance collaboration, and strengthen your impact within the nonprofit community. Here are five practical and effective ways to connect with almost anyone, whether you’re working with fellow donors, volunteers, or supporters.
1. Show Genuine Interest
Why It Works: Everyone likes to feel seen and heard. When you show authentic interest in someone, it builds trust and makes the connection feel real.
How to Implement:
Ask open-ended questions to invite others to share their experiences and what drives them.
Listen closely—maintain eye contact and give thoughtful responses to show you’re fully engaged.
Bring up details from past conversations to show you remember and care about what they’ve shared.
2. Find Common Ground
Why It Works: Finding shared interests or experiences makes conversations more comfortable and naturally builds a connection.
How to Implement:
Look for mutual connections, common causes, or interests you both share.
Bring up relatable topics like recent events, local happenings, or anything related to your mission.
Check out social media before meeting to see if there’s something you both enjoy or have in common.
3. Be Authentically Yourself
Why It Works: People are drawn to authenticity. When you’re true to yourself, others are more likely to open up and form a genuine connection.
How to Implement:
Don’t try too hard to impress—share your honest thoughts and experiences instead.
Be confident in your unique qualities, and don’t be afraid to be yourself.
If the conversation isn’t flowing, feel free to switch gears or ask different questions to keep it going.
4. Use Positive Body Language
Why It Works: Non-verbal cues can say a lot more than words. Positive body language sets a friendly tone and can make you appear more approachable.
How to Implement:
Keep an open posture and smile to make yourself seem welcoming.
Nod when appropriate to show you’re engaged and on the same page.
Subtly mirror the other person’s body language to build rapport and create a sense of connection.
5. Share Your Story
Why It Works: Sharing your personal experiences helps others relate to you and can encourage them to open up as well. It’s a great way to build an emotional connection.
How to Implement:
Share a brief, relevant story that fits into the conversation or ties into your shared mission.
Keep it light and engaging without taking over the conversation.
Use storytelling to share lessons, offer insights, or add a bit of humor to keep things relaxed.
