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Connecting with others and building strong business relationships is key to having great success in your business life. There so many conversations around how to connect, build rapport and network but today we are going to go a little deeper.

There are actually two sides to connecting with others: The emotional side and the science side. They are both just as important as each other and both are working with each other.

The Emotional Side

Dale Carnegie wrote a brilliant book that to me is the foundation of understanding how relationships work 'How to make friends and influence people'. In this book he has, what he calls, a human conduct rule: Always make the other person feel important.

I know that might seem fundamental and easy ... you may be thinking “yeah I do that” but do you really? Think about the last time you were busy buying something at the convenience store or rushing through a drive through. Did you really make that person feel important? These are great training grounds for quick business interactions; interactions with colleagues, staff, clients, etc….. It takes practice to make someone feel important in the fast pace world we live in nowadays so ask yourself, how will I make this person feel important?

I’ll give you a quick place to start: There are two things all human beings crave, and that’s acknowledgement and recognition. If you just bring those two words into your vocabulary and communication approach you will be amazed at how much more effective your relationships will grow.

The Science Side

We're all made up of energy, we know this. We also know that energy travels and transfers. You may be thinking “do I know that?” Of course you do because I can almost guarantee you have had these following two experiences:

Ever met someone new, say at an event or a party, and asked them how they are and they tell you all about the terrible things that have been happening to them lately and you walk away from them feeling drained and exhausted? Yes? They're energy takers…..

Do you have a friend that having caught up with them leave you feel excited and invigorated? They are energy givers…..

People do 'control' your energy with theirs. We all need to make sure we understand how we are radiating and how others are perceiving us after they leave our actual presence. Are they feeling exhausted or energised? Are you an energy giver or a taker?

In business and life you will always do better to be an energy giver, which essentially means that people will walk away from you feeling gooooooood. They'll want to be around you more which will mean that if they are around you more you can do business with them more. Everyone wins.

Remember you are the experience of your company, you are the service and the product. How you interact  with others, either in meetings or at events, influences the way others will perceive you and your company. Go forth, be an energy giver and acknowledge and recognise others and then stand back and see what happens.

So ... how are you radiating today?

Danielle Di-Masi is a Premium member of Business Chicks, request her online business card and connect with her here.

Lady Danielle Di-Masi is a business etiquette expert, specialising in building effective business relationships through connection and rapport.