Connect the Dots

A former co-worker had the following as part of her email signature: “I connect the dots; how can I help you”. It was a unique way of letting others know that she thought and worked differently than most. She looked for opportunities to connect others across functions and operating companies or connect people with projects or programs to produce superior results.

       Her approach resonated with me, and I have tried to do the same, taking that philosophy with me in retirement. For me, it is about spotting opportunities to connect people and the organizations I am part of and work with to others for mutual benefit. The trick to doing this well is to have an open mind that allows you to see potential connections when others don’t.

       A chance encounter at a town Recreation Committee meeting in which a friend and I were lobbying the Committee to include a disc golf course in planning for a new park (no luck there) led to me picking up a big box of puzzles donated to the Rec. Center where the meeting was held. The administrator there mentioned that they have more donated stuff than they can handle, and my brain jumped across the parking lot to our Legion post, connecting that this could be an opportunity to take those puzzles to the nearby veteran’s hospital. Upon getting approval from our Legion commander, I went back and took as many puzzles as I could for delivery to the veterans we support through our post.

       In the second level class I am part of at Piscataway Community Television (see Lights, Camera, Action recent post) we are taking the slides used for community announcements and putting scripts behind them so we can create a news-type show to bring greater attention to them and better engage viewers. Two connections came to mind immediately. First, can I work with our town’s OEM team and my Legion post to get announcements on the air. Second, how can the station track responses to the current format against the new format? Seeing an increase with “live” broadcasts instead of just slides would confirm the new format is increasing engagement.

Even connecting friends who don’t know each other but share the same interest qualifies as connecting the dots. I’ve done this many times and several of those friends have become friends and do things together on their own. Those connections are some of the most satisfying.

       By looking for connections, we can improve how organizations and social systems work. Most often we see those potential connections in the least likely places and when we are relaxed with our minds open. How can you connect the dots?

www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com  03-03-2025