Creating A Constellation Of Connections

Download the interactive worksheet or read below.

Creating A Constellation Of Connections

“A spirit of openness, curiosity, and inquisitiveness are the building blocks of connection and trust, laying the foundation for building a vast network of differing personalities, talents, and interests.” – Susan McPherson

Tools : A pen and paper- and yourself too!

Time : 20 minutes

Context : Welcome to the ‘Do’ part of Susan’s method. Let’s round things up and define your next move, as we encourage you to apply Susan’s three-part method to creating your very own Constellation Of Connections. This exercise is broken down into tangible steps and actions, in order to help you take strides towards creating your own meaningful network.

Instructions:

Step #1: It All Starts With ‘How Can I Help?’

Connecting and creating relationships with depth stems from one simple question; “How Can I Help?” Asking this question in any meeting- and at any moment- aids in directing focus to how you can successfully support others, rather than how they can be of benefit to you. It’s also the best way to ensure that relationships are built on true meaning. In this question you are asking the person in front of you to be honest in what they need, allowing them to express vulnerability, which is essentially how we build trust.

Action Step: Reach out to someone in your sisterhood that you know needs support, and simply ask ‘how can I help?’ Be open to their response and offer all the help you can, if you can. Watch how this small act of showing willingness to share your time and attention with them sparks a more meaningful relationship between you. Be sure to hold no expectation of the gesture being returned.

Step #2: Building More Meaningful Relationships Now, it’s vital to establish what meaningful means to you. Action Step: Right now, pick up your pen and journal. For five minutes, allow yourself to open-up and connect with what ‘meaningful’ truly means to you. Get clear, be honest and specific.

You’ve now created the blueprint of what you long for from a sisterhood. Curate your five key words from this list and place them somewhere you can see them. Allow these to act as your values, to which you adhere when reaching out to others. Simple!

Step #3: Reframe What It Means To ‘Network’

So, let’s not call it networking—why not redefine it as creating a constellation of connections. When you come across a genuine partnership, it enables the sharing of knowledge, reduces burnout, nourishes our wellbeing, sparks innovative ideas and creates a sense of purpose.

Action step: Draw yourself on a piece of paper, surrounded by a constellation of women that are already part of your sisterhood, or that you would love to connect with. Clearly, write their names, whilst leaving space around them to add in your future sisters.

Below Their Name, Add… + The value that you feel they add to your network already. + One thing that you can offer to them, that would be of help.

This exercise will support you to see the unique qualities of each of the women you have in, or hope to add to, your network. If it feels appropriate, why not reach out to them individually to express your appreciation for this quality, or drop them a message with how you can offer support to them, be it now or in future

The result? You are now starting to expand your understanding of what it means to ‘network’, in turn, unleashing its potential and gaining realisation of how meaningful it can be.

Make A Commitment To Offer… + Help to at least one woman in your network. + Your appreciation to a woman in your network, by inviting her to reconnect with you over a Zoom call or virtual coffee date.