Hola, hola! Welcome to Casa Cinco, a weekly newsletter curating connection.

Are you building or investing in human connection? See the bottom of this email and connect with Casa Cinco.

This week I’m talking about connecting at a human level, CEOs focusing on human sustainability, and guided group conversations brought to you by former SoulCycle founders. Happy reading!

Here’s to connecting,

Andy

CONNECTING AT A HUMAN LEVEL

‘Networking’ has a bad reputation. Most of us cringe at the sound of the word, traumatized from fighting for conversational survival in a sea of fancy ties and illegible name tags.

Yet, when we strip out the masks, small talk, and canapés, we realize the essence of networking lies in human connection. That is a beautiful thing.

The problem isn’t so much in networking itself, it’s in how we do it.

I recently attended a panel and networking event at The Conduit hosted by Small Giants. You know an event is meant for hardcore networking when it’s included in the name: Networking Evening. I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but I was curious about the speakers and decided to take my chances.

The setup was like that of any other networking event: bar to the left, small bites to the right, a few chairs here and there. People that arrived together stayed together. People that arrived alone looked at their phone. Everyone awaited instructions.

When a sizeable crowd amassed, Paul van Zyl, co-founder of The Conduit and one of the smartest people I know (or, rather, have heard speak), kicked off with a few words. Here, the first bit of magic was introduced. After giving the usual accolades to his guests, Paul went on to address us as the audience, the networkers, and gave us permission to be weird.

“At The Conduit, we encourage conversation. Please don’t spend the evening with someone you know. Go around the room and meet people. You never know what connections might be made.”

We were effectively guests in his house and he was telling us how we were expected to behave. Everyone was immediately at ease. So it’s not just me clinging to my friend, phew! Ok, well, if Paul says we should meet people, let’s go meet some people.

Then came the second bit of magic. The Small Giants team asked a few panelists to take the high chairs and introduce themselves. There would be a short conversation in an improvised stage, followed by, well, more networking.

Seth Tabatznik from 42 Acres was asked to kick off with a ‘short introduction on who you are and what you do’. What is usually a list of degrees and achievements no one can keep up with or care to remember, became the most powerful introduction I have ever experienced.

Taking a massive risk, Seth ignored the panel’s protocol and instead began to play an instrument that looked like a briefcase. He asked the audience to hum and listen. What followed were 2 minutes of what I can only explain as harmony.

People being people, together.

Seth then put his instrument away and reminded us to connect at a human level first, before bringing intellect in. How do you top that up?! Talk about a mic drop!

Needless to say, the evening was a success. Paul, Seth, and the rest had primed us for it by encouraging us to embrace the awkwardness of networking and reminding us of our shared, human condition.  

The inspiration for you is: Whether in business or in life, connect with others at a human level first before bringing in the intellect, the credibility, or the ask.

Networking usually strips out human connection and small talks its way into the ‘working’ part of it. Make sure you don’t lose yourself in that.

Side note: There are lots of ways networking can improve - establishing ourselves as humans first is just the beginning of an otherwise logistical nightmare. Also - ‘networking’ as a concept needs a rebrand. Any suggestions?

WEEKLY CURATION

PEOPLE

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑Brene Brown and BetterUp join forces to launch the Daring Leadership Institute, bringing skill and mindset transformations to organizations

• 😁80% of CEOs feel pressured to improve human sustainability, according to Deloitte

• 🤯Next up after mental health: social health

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

• 🍪Unpopular opinion: Oreo cookies out, real cookies in. I present: Fancypants 

• 🪴The Patagonia Paradox: 'In business to save the planet'

PLACES

• 🌲42 Acres: Retreats in nature for deep questions, answers, decompressing, and meaning

• 👂Peoplehood: Guided group conversations for connection brought to you by the former founders of SoulCycle

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