There are moments in our work where we are deeply focused. We’re creating content, thinking things through, working on our offers, our ideas, our next steps. And all of that matters. But every now and then, something else happens. We step into a room. A conversation begins. And something shifts.
What Happens When We’re With Others IRL (In Real Life)
In one of our recent Mastermind sessions, and again in conversations in other meetings, I was reminded of something I sometimes forget: Being in conversations with a person is not the same as being in a conversation with a person IRL – and both are not the same as working alone.
IRL, there is that sense of movement, the element of energy that you get when you’re having that personal exchange. I find these moments incredibly rewarding.
When it comes to working with others, I walk away with new impressions and a lot of times, new ways of seeing what’s going on in the world. I love getting new perspectives by finding out how others think, work, and move forward.
What I’ve noticed lately, is that I pick up on how grounded these other folks seem. Are they showing up as someone who knows who they are? Who has a sense of what they want? Are they clear about how they want to contribute? Have they got it “all figured out”?
I’m not expecting folks to have everything “figured out” – and actually, I have yet to find someone who thinks they do… but there is clue: those folks that are OK with not knowing and just trusting “their gut” and that have a sense of alignment with their values – they have this aura, this “quiet clarity” that they carry with them. A sense of alignment. And whether that is entirely accurate or simply my impression, it has an impact. I think that comes about because we don’t just exchange ideas or words in these spaces, we also exchange presence.
Often times, conversations didn’t just give me ideas, they helped me reconnect with myself. That might sound “new-age-ish” or something like that. But – guilty as charged Your Honor – I sometimes spend too much time “in my own head” or focused “on my own work,” and don’t recognize that I am slowly drifting away from my own sense of direction. So being with others who are engaged, thoughtful, and intentional has a way of bringing me back. It reminds me who I am.
Connection vs. Content
So as someone who thinks a lot about marketing, communications, coaching and leadership, I often talk about visibility, content, and how we show up – bother online as well as IRL. Many folks that I talk to write, post, and share their thinking. So what stands out to me is this: the ones that are nailing it, are not only visible online, they are present in real life. There is a connection between what they say and how they show up. I think, come to mention it, that they’re probably not choosing between content and connection – they’re integrating both.
So that’s something I am reflecting on.
An Invitation
If you’re currently working a lot on your own, this is not a call to do more. It’s a gentle invitation to do something different. To find ways to be in conversation. To step into spaces where people are thinking, building, questioning, and growing. What matters is that you’re not only thinking about your work. You’re also experiencing it with others.
Final Thought
There is something powerful about being in the room. Not because everything becomes clearer immediately. But because something in you begins to realign. And sometimes, that is exactly what’s needed to move forward.
