The specifics can change, but in virtually any situation, being useful, grateful, and valuable are the three keys to connecting with others—and they never depreciate or go out of style.
The secret is to know what will make you seem useful, grateful, or valuable to someone in any given situation. It’s being tuned in and attentive!
While your utility has a lot to do with what you can bring to the table in terms of skills, it really begins with being concerned and conscientious—with caring about other people.
It starts as an awareness in your mind of other people’s needs, wants, and pains, and it continues with identifying what you could add to an interaction to address or alleviate those things.
It also involves true listening, which not everyone knows how to do.
