Connection is a Strategy
This week I’ve been preparing a workshop on social capital and using connection to reach your goals. One thing keeps coming to mind: the relationships in your life don’t just support you, they open your world.
If you’re in a place where things feel uncertain or shifting, it might feel like the only option is to figure it all out alone. The usual answers seem out of reach, and you’re left wondering how to move forward. It may feel like you should be able to figure it out or that you don’t want to let others know you’re struggling. But what if the key isn’t more solo effort or pushing harder? What if it’s about leaning into the relationships you already have or the ones waiting to be built?
Social capital isn’t just about having contacts or connections. It is the value and possibility that lives in our relationships. The people who see you clearly, who reflect back who you really are, who ask questions that open new ways of thinking, and who hold space when the path isn’t clear. People are possibility.
When you open yourself up to those relationships, you unlock new energy. Social capital expands your world in ways you might not expect. It brings fresh ideas, unexpected help, and invitations to move forward you didn’t know were there.
Sometimes it starts with a simple conversation: a friend who asks a question that shifts your thinking, a colleague who offers a different perspective, or a family member who reminds you of something you forgot you loved.
These connections aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential. They create momentum when you feel stuck. They bring clarity when you’re unsure. They offer new possibilities when your options feel limited. And if you’re used to being the strong one, the fixer, it can feel vulnerable to let someone in. That’s normal. Vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s the doorway to growth. If you’re carrying the weight of change or growth alone, think about who you might invite in. Who could you reach out to to explore what might be possible together? You don’t need a large network or a crowd. You need a few trusted relationships where you can be honest, curious, and seen.
So maybe this week, your next step is to open a door. Say, “Can I share what I’m working through?” or “Would you be willing to listen as I figure some things out?”
Because when you tap into social capital, you don’t just find support—you expand your world. And you don’t have to carry it alone.
