Putting People First in Social Selling on LinkedIn |Building Genuine Connections Beyond Business

Add value… but are we focusing too much on knowledge, information? In social selling, promoting our businesses, products, services, and solutions, we all have been exposed to the advice, the teachings to add value. So we jump into content and share our knowledge, our experience, our expertise. Great! But there is one value offer that I often find that is sadly lacking. They, our ideal clients, our communities, our audiences, our connections, our followers… are people. And the biggest value we can offer another person is to have a real, genuine, and authentic interest in them as people. When we show interest in others, we communicate that they matter to us, and we acknowledge their worth as individuals. It is a powerful way of building connections, fostering empathy, and creating a sense of belonging. Genuine interest involves active listening, asking questions, and responding with empathy and respect. By valuing others in this way: - ✅We open up opportunities for deeper relationships, mutual growth, and meaningful experiences that enrich our lives. ✅We create a space for them to express themselves and feel valued. ✅We listen without judgment, being present, and seeking to understand their perspective. ✅We take the time to get to know someone on a deeper level, beyond their role or title, we see their humanity and can connect with them in a more meaningful way. ✅We create a sense of belonging and fosters deeper, more fulfilling relationships. ✅We see others as individuals with unique experiences, thoughts, and feelings, rather than simply as a means to an end. Let’s add value by having a real, genuine, and authentic interest in others is one of the most valuable gifts we can give, both to others and to ourselves. Agreed?!