// TECH TRENDS //

Connections are everything in business; they are credited with landing contracts, top jobs and promotion, but there are three deeper levels of connection which are more important and consequential in running a successful business, says Paul Hargreaves, Author, Speaker and CEO of Cotswold Fayre and Flourish. He outlines the importance of connections and these three essential connections.

HETHER IT’ S ESTABLISHING

You may not feel the awkwardness of networking breakfasts and lunches. You may have honed your golf game to the point where you can win, lose or draw as required. Or you may have mastered making the most of LinkedIn’ s 900 + million members worldwide and 60 + million registered companies. All of these are great. But there are deeper levels of connection I believe are more important and consequential in running a successful business.

Our connection with ourselves

Looking after number one doesn’ t always make you a winner. Unfortunately, our education and cultural mindset has mitigated against understanding this.

Antonio Damasio’ s book Descartes’ Error demonstrated, through the neuroscience of people who had lost part of their brains in accidents, that the decision-making centre was actually in the limbic part of the brain, which is where our emotions stem from, rather than the cerebral cortex. My point here is that many of us have lost ourselves through an overemphasis on scientific rationalism. Reconnecting with ourselves can make us a more holistic person and a better leader because a business leader who is in touch with their creative and intuitive sides, as well as their emotions, holds a significant advantage over one who is solely focused on the mechanics of business.

Creativity allows leaders to think outside the box, develop innovative solutions and differentiate their companies in a competitive market. Intuition helps in making swift, confident decisions when data alone may not provide a clear answer. Emotional intelligence fosters strong relationships, enhances communication and builds a culture of trust and collaboration within an organisation. Leaders who understand and acknowledge their own emotions, as well as those of their employees, are better equipped to inspire, motivate and resolve conflicts effectively. A rigid, purely analytical approach may lead to short-term success, but a leader who embraces creativity, intuition and emotional awareness is more likely to cultivate long-term resilience, adaptability and a thriving company culture.

There isn’ t a single way for people to reconnect with themselves, but I find it useful to set aside at least half an hour each morning to be quiet. I use this time to meditate or to read something reflective and to do some breathwork. I find walks and time in the gym useful – but you may find something like yoga suits you best. Discovering what works for you is part of your reconnection journey.

14 Intelligent SME. tech