020 | Kill your Assumptions

Last night I attended an event hosted by Jax Tech on the EV and autonomous vehicle industry. With so many unknown faces walking around, I was reminded how awkward in-person networking can be—even for people like myself! I guess that’s why an open bar helps (although I don’t partake).

I much prefer online networking because there are time constraints, and you can use an app like Fathom to help you remember the important parts. 

As a digital-first networker, I would highly recommend Blinq for your in-person networking needs (iPhone App).

At this event, it also struck me how important the information in these newsletters would be on a different day of the week—to prepare for those in-person networking events or video calls for the rest of the week. Which is why I am considering the day which these letters will go out!

So I’d love to ask you in this December rebrand poll,

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🎩 NETWORKING TIP

When I first moved to Washington, D.C., I encountered something I hadn’t experienced so strongly anywhere else.

Conversations here came with a built-in assumption: that you already knew.
The acronyms, the policy jargon, the inside ”Nationals” references.

Well, the DMV is the most well-educated area in the USA.

People weren’t being rude. It was just how they communicated.
They assumed you were part of the club, and the unspoken rule was:
Always add more input. Don’t ask questions.

For a while, I nodded along, adding more and more value per the norm.
But the truth is, pretending to understand only builds walls, while curiosity breaks them down.

So, I tried something different.
I started asking:

• Can you explain that term? I’m not familiar.

• What inspired that perspective?

• How does this fit into the bigger picture?

And you know what happened?

Honestly, some people were shocked.
But most others opened up more, eager to share their knowledge.
Connections deepened because I wasn’t afraid to admit what I didn’t know.

Here’s what I’ve learned:
Ignorance—of the curious kind—opens doors that assumptions close.

Instead of guessing what someone brings to the table, ask:

• What excites you about your work?

• What’s been on your mind lately?

• What brought you to this project/event/conversation?

Curiosity turns a passing interaction into a meaningful relationship.

It’s strategic, too.

I remember this well from the book How to Win Friends and Influence People, recommended early in my career by my dad.

When you ask thoughtful questions, you follow Carnegie’s principles of showing genuine interest and making others feel valued. This approach fosters goodwill and creates lasting impressions that lead to deeper, more meaningful connections.

Strategically, curiosity helps you:

➤ Build rapport effortlessly: People love to talk about themselves. Asking questions makes them feel heard and appreciated.

➤ Find common ground: By being genuinely interested, you discover shared interests or goals that can lead to collaboration.

➤ Unlock hidden opportunities: Curiosity uncovers motivations, challenges, and ideas that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Showing interest in others is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to win trust.

Trust wins you a connection.

And connections? They win you opportunities.

So the next time you’re tempted to assume, remember this: curiosity isn’t just polite—it’s powerful.

Ask the questions others won’t. Show interest where others don’t.

Because when you lead with curiosity, you don’t just build relationships.

You build bridges. 🌉

💬 CONVERSATION STARTER OF THE WEEK
Where you get an experimental IRL prompt for human conversations.

On your next group call while everyone is waiting for others to roll on it, ask that one person in the room:

Why it works:

• It unlocks values, dreams, and interests.

• It catches people off guard in the best way.

• It sparks storytelling which invites engaging follow-up conversation.

The secret to great conversations is all in how you start. ✨ 

📚 CONNECTIONS IN HISTORY
Where we share a powerful connection that changed the world.

McCartney had the melodic genius; Lennon had the lyrical edge. Together, they formed The Beatles, shaping the sound of modern music and leaving a legacy that still inspires generations.

Proof that the right connection can change culture forever.

🎶 OUR PLAYLIST, UPDATED WEEKLY

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Got more feedback or want to get in touch? Reply here and I’ll get back to you.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Lauren and the Connections team