Don’t Forget What This Is All About: Why Human Connection Will Always Be Good Business
We’d been working together for over six months— Google Meet after Google Meet, navigating a big project with all the typical markers of progress. Clear deadlines. Solid deliverables. Good communication. But recently, I had the opportunity to travel to France with my team from Fearless Foundry and finally meet this client in person for the very first time. And something shifted.
We got work done—yes, absolutely. But we also got to know each other, truly. Beyond screen-time small talk or structured agendas. We shared meals, wandered side streets, and had conversations that had nothing to do with business, and everything to do with being human.
Every day, we took time out for lunch. No working lunches in Europe, just time for laughter and conversation. We talked about everything—health challenges, cultural differences, family traditions, and upcoming vacations. We laughed about language differences and celebrated the perfection that is a fresh baguette. We experienced their world, their pace, their personality. And that changed everything.
The Power of Presence
There's a level of context you just can't access through a screen. Sure, we can be productive in virtual meetings. But we can’t always be present. There’s a science to it—our brains rely on microexpressions, body language, tone, and energy. Those cues get lost in the digital world, no matter how good your internet is.
But it’s not just about science. It’s about energy. And energy doesn’t lie.
In person, you can feel tension before it's spoken. You can sense excitement that no email could ever capture. And you can offer care—real care—not just in words, but in presence. In sitting across the table and asking, “How are you, really?” and having the time and space to hear the truth.
That kind of presence—of being seen, heard, and understood—is powerful. And I think we underestimate how much it matters in business.
More Than the Deliverables
One moment will stick with me forever: as we wrapped the project, our client looked at us—tired and joyful and proud—and expressed sincere, heartfelt gratitude. Not because everything had gone perfectly (what project ever does?), but because they felt supported, understood, and seen. That moment had nothing to do with the work we did and everything to do with how we did it. Together.
And that’s what this trip reminded me of: that the real work isn’t just in the strategy or deliverables—it’s in the relationship. It’s in the trust. It’s in the shared stories and the long lunches. That’s what makes the work meaningful.
This Is the Work
Sometimes I think we forget what business is actually about. We get so lost in the metrics, funnels, and task lists that we lose sight of what we’re really doing. Which, for me and my clients, is this: helping humans tell their stories in a way that helps other humans.
That’s the business I’m in. And if you’re only in it for the money, two things: one, you’re probably doing it wrong. And two, you’re not my kind of client.
You can offer the exact same service at the exact same price as someone else—and still stand out. What makes the difference? You. Your people. Your story. Your energy. That’s the magnet. That’s the differentiator. That’s the heart.
The Takeaway for All of Us
This experience has reaffirmed something I’ve known for a long time: human connection is not a bonus to business. It’s the foundation.
So if you’re a business owner who wants deeper, more fulfilling client relationships, here’s what I’ll tell you:
Make time for real, in-person experiences—not just for strategy, but for connection.
Ask questions that have nothing to do with work—What’s bringing you joy? What’s keeping you up at night? What are you most excited about right now?
Reflect on your client alignment—If you feel disconnected, it might be time to reevaluate who you’re serving and why.
Prioritize relational over transactional—Because the work is only as good as the connection it’s built on.
And if flying across the world isn’t in the cards, that’s okay. You don’t need a plane ticket to build a connection. You just need intentionality. Curiosity. Humanity.
Sometimes that looks like slowing down enough to ask better questions. Or using the first five minutes of a call to talk about life instead of logistics. Or taking time off—yes, real time off—to return with fresh eyes and a full heart.
The Mindset Shift
If connection isn’t something you value in your everyday life, you won’t value it in your business. It’s not a tactic you can fake. It’s a posture you practice.
And if you’ve forgotten what this is all about—if your business has started to feel heavy or disconnected or like it’s just a grind—this is your invitation to return to the heart of it all.
The point was never just profit. The point is people.
So don’t forget what this is all about.
*Feel like you want help figuring this all out? Let's spend some time together.
