The Power of Being in the Room and Unexpected Connections

I was thinking about this the other day after a meeting I almost didn’t go to.

It had been one of those full days where everything felt overwhelming – work, emails, decisions – and by the time the meeting rolled around, I remember looking at my calendar and thinking, “I could skip this one and no one would even know.”

I hadn’t promised anyone I was going to meet them, I didn’t have a specific goal, and honestly, staying home sounded really appealing in that moment.

But I went anyway.

I ended up sitting next to someone I hadn’t met before, and within a few minutes we were in one of those “wait… me too!!” conversations. The kind where you realize you’re in similar seasons of life or business, and there’s an immediate connection you didn’t expect. Love those moments!

It also got me thinking about how easy it is to NOT go. Life is busy, our schedules are full, and let’s get real… hot days are coming and you know how obsessed I am with my pool. I’m going to have to work a little harder to not choose the pool over connection.

Because as tempting as that sounds, I know what I miss when I don’t show up.

There really is something powerful about showing up. Not for the pressure of networking, but for the opportunity to connect and be seen and heard.

How many of you reading this still haven’t attended a meeting in person? Consider this your little nudge.

Come be in the room. You never really know what might be waiting for you there.