Do you feel the pressure to be perfect at work? In your career, do you value excellence over connection? If you answered “yes,” you’re like most of us. But one of the hardest pills to swallow is the fact that connection will get you further in your career than your efforts to avoid failure.
Leaders and professionals alike are realizing that authenticity is the true differentiator. The people who know how to show up, listen, and build real trust are the ones who cut through the noise and make career-altering connections.
That’s the focus of this week’s PRO VOICE podcast episode—a conversation about communication, community, and why perfection is often the biggest barrier to connection.
Pattern Interrupts: How Real Conversations Begin
Every meaningful connection starts with a shift away from autopilot small talk and toward genuine curiosity.
As Dwight Spencer, a community strategy consultant and creative business coach, explains, “Whenever you go into a new setting, the default reflex is to say, ‘So, what do you do?’ and that is the absolute worst question that you can ask in those situations.”
Some better questions to ask:
- What are you interested in?
- What lights you up?
- What fills your days?
- What are you excited about?
- What’s something you’re working on that you’re proud of?’
For Americans, our identity is often tied to our jobs, so breaking the habit of asking the “usual” questions can be difficult. But it’s worth it. When you shift your language, you invite people to show you who they are, not just what they do. True connection begins the moment curiosity replaces conformity.
Connection Through Crisis: Communicate With Courage
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When Jerry Rice, an employee engagement and global communications strategist, reflects on his experience leading through the COVID-19 pandemic, his insight is clear: communication builds trust, especially when things fall apart.
“We took crisis and turned it into opportunity. We allowed our CEO to become sort of the voice of fact and reason in a sea of misinformation through open and authentic communication. We did weekly videos out to the community. And then we wanted to hear back from everybody to see how they were doing throughout what was a really, really difficult time for a lot of people.”
His experience is a reminder that disruption can actually accelerate innovation if leaders stay visible and open when uncertainty hits.
When communication feels uncomfortable, it’s usually because you’re doing it right. Connection requires courage.
Ask Twice: The Secret to Real Empathy
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For Rhonda Simpson, a leadership coach and organizational engagement leader, authenticity starts with a simple but powerful habit. “I like to take a moment and ask random people, ‘How are you doing?’ Generally, people will say, ‘I’m doing fine.’ But then I like to follow it up with, “Okay, but how are you really doing?”
When she asks a second time with more of a genuine curiosity, she says it’s amazing the kinds of real answers she gets from others, and that this practice has helped her connect with people on the fly, especially during busy times when leadership teams often don’t think to pause and respond with curiosity.
That second question opens the door to honesty, and it’s often where real connection begins. It’s a small act of empathy that signals to others that you’re actually listening, and you care enough to ask again.
Tools for Trust: How Authenticity Scales (Digital Noise vs. Meaningful Connection)
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Connection doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through intentional systems—and sometimes, technology helps.
- Jerry explains how his organization used AI to “empower managers with communication tools and FAQs” so they could handle questions and build consistency during times of change.
- Rhonda draws from Brené Brown’s research on vulnerability and belonging, reminding us that people “want to feel seen, heard, and valued.”
- And Dwight references Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg—a reminder that “the best conversations are built on mutual understanding, not performance.”
Technology gives us reach, but it can also create distance.
Rhonda points out that many digital networks “build surface-level relationships.” In contrast, “smaller, purpose-driven communities” create space for trust to grow (like ours at Work It DAILY!).
Connection means being present where it counts. When leaders use tools to make empathy easier, they scale connection without losing authenticity.
Leading With Courage, Vulnerability & Listening
Authenticity starts where perfection ends. It takes courage to show up and be seen, especially in a professional setting. But those who lead with presence—and imperfection—are the ones who stand out. Be yourself. Listen to others. Own your mistakes and grow through them. At the end of the day, people connect with what’s real—not what’s perfect.
Take Your Leadership Further With PRO VOICE
The insights shared here are just a preview of what’s happening inside PRO VOICE—Work It DAILY’s leadership platform for building executive visibility and influence online.
If you’re ready to amplify your leadership brand, sharpen your communication strategy, and grow your professional reach, PRO VOICE is your next step.
Join today and start building your voice, your presence, and your authentic leadership power.