Even if you disagree, you could still learn loads.

There are lots of reasons as to why we connect with other people  -  I hope some of those reasons would include:

1. Likeminded – birds of a feather and all that
2. Not likeminded – hearing the other side of the story is always good
3. You are in a position to enable the individual
4. There is a mutual benefit between the two of you – a win win situation
5. You’re a student – you want to learn
6. They’re cute… what? Don’t tell me this doesn’t factor in

When we connect with other people – a few things can happen:

1. It’s completely one-sided, or your professional advances go unacknowledged – it happens… get over it.
2. Reciprocity – everyone is winning.
3. You are learning a ridiculous amount from the opposing team
4. You are stunned to learn how bloody annoying or juvenile that person actually is.

Before you purge a connection for whatever reason, take a minute to consider:

1. Baby and bath water. Sometimes overlooking the less favourable characteristics isn’t such a bad thing.
2. The old saying about if you really want to know someone, move in with them… this space is close and personal. A lot of good people are just that, good – not perfect. There are times when embracing the flaws is more noble, even smarter, than not.
3. The person is connected to other people who probably need to know who you are. After all sometimes it really is not what you know… but who!

I’m finding so much value by doing a few simple things:

• Cut people in this space a bit of slack.
• Be slower to judge.
• Recognize that overlooking a flaw does not equal you being a door mat.