Leadership POC

Leadership POC’s: Expanding Your Impact Through Meaningful Connections

Bobbi Cumpston | 2023

Abstract

John Quincey Adams – If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.

What is a “point of connection”? A connection is a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else. Points of connection are specific interactions with others that bring about illumination, creative innovation, or impactful discussion that adds value. Personal relationships with family and friends, businesses, volunteer organizations, churches, and places we live and work are areas we can influence to improve the community. Points of connection are with people we lead, guide, and mentor that add value to their lives. Global points of connection help expand our worldview, educate us about other cultures, and challenge assumptions and biases. With points of connection, we can help edify and uplift others, share education, and help those less fortunate or in need.

A point of connection can also unite people together for a common purpose and goals. A point of connection can be a moment that changes a situation, enlightens a mind, or develops a beneficial solution to a problem. An individual can experience many points of connection over time. Some connections, like family or friends, last a lifetime. It is where you can provide, nurture, educate, protect, love, and help them find their purpose. Other points of connection are brief or seemingly insignificant and yet can change your course of action.

Leadership is a point of connection. When you lead, there must be followers. Who you are as a leader matters. Your personal leadership statement helps define your mission, meaning, values, and reasons for why you do what you do. (Sosik & Jung, 2018). A strong sense of purpose, resiliency, servant leadership qualities, authenticity, and transformation, help build your leadership character so you can prepare for points of connection with followers. Leaders build hardiness and preparation, make decisions, are involved and committed, and challenge others to develop skills, talents, and leadership qualities (Citrin & Weiss, 2016). Moreover, you determine your internal leadership qualities by defining your code of conduct that upholds your personal and professional reputation.

Meaningful connections include people, power, position, purpose, peace, and person. Each connection represents a relationship with someone who added value to your life through an idea or discussion that illuminated, encouraged, or brought peace about a decision or situation. The people we engage with through family, work, or community should bring peace and help us discover our purpose. Meaningful connections can be intentional meetings or spontaneous moments we remember because of what transpired.

When you lead others or encounter them through a point of connection, look for the best in them. Help them find and uplift their strengths, encouraging them to pursue their work actively. The work may be self-development or professional development, but it is often the intentional search for significance. It is through discovering who we are, what we have, and how to walk in it that we find the keys to freedom, joy, well-being, and welfare. Through points of connection, operating in love for one another, leaders can guide others to discover their purpose and passion that puts their life into perspective.