021 | Respect their Space

Yesterday I met an older businessman in Jacksonville, with the backstory of your typical New Yorker. Investment banker. Has Ringo’s phone number. Produced a TV show. Entering Ai now. However, what I found most interesting about his AI go-to-market agency was that he played a little game with his business partner: who can land the most leads?

His partner was the DM type—uses LinkedIn Sales Navigator to

Him—the networker.

Who consistently wins? You guessed it.

The networker—he not only closes more clients, but he also has the shortest time to signature. Now that’s important!

Friends, I’m asking you this one more time to gather the right data!

📌 If you happen to find this in your Spam, please place this email in your ‘Primary’ inbox [Gmail], ‘VIPs’ [Apple], or ‘Safe Sender’ list [Outlook]. Thank you for helping our deliverability!

🖥️ RESPECT THEIR SPACE

A connection thrives on mutual understanding—and it dies without boundaries.

A friend of mine has been dealing with someone who just won’t take no for an answer. They keep pushing for an opportunity that doesn’t align with his work, and while he’s been polite, the persistence is draining him.

It’s a reminder of how vital it is to respect someone’s boundaries—especially during the holidays.

This time of year is already overwhelming. People are juggling work, family, and personal goals. I know I’ve felt it. I haven’t even had the chance to sit down and write the gratitude Christmas letters I usually write every year.

Pushing someone who’s already stretched thin doesn’t build connection—it creates frustration. Instead, the most thoughtful thing you can do is honor their space.

We’ve all been there: eager to connect, help, or collaborate, only to push too far without realizing it. Sometimes, the most important lesson in building meaningful relationships is recognizing when to step back.

Here’s what to learn:

❌ No isn’t maybe. A polite decline is not an invitation to negotiate. Respecting someone’s "no" shows you value their autonomy more than your agenda.

✨ Silence speaks. If someone doesn’t respond, it’s not always a green light to follow up endlessly. Sometimes, silence is their way of saying, “Not now.”

🌿 Space nurtures trust. Giving someone room to breathe creates the possibility for future connection. Forcing the issue erodes trust faster than any misstep.

So, how can we navigate this gracefully?

1️⃣ Pause and reflect. Before pushing further, ask yourself: Am I respecting their boundaries, or am I acting out of my own need?

2️⃣ Lead with empathy. Acknowledge their decision without judgment. Example: “I understand. If it makes sense later, I’d still love to review this proposal in 2025.”

3️⃣ Move on gracefully. Not every connection will happen, and that’s okay. Shifting your energy elsewhere creates space for relationships that are ready to flourish.

True connection doesn’t come from persistence. It comes from understanding.

Because the best way to strengthen a relationship is to honor the other person’s boundaries.

And what happens when you do give up?

You’ll find that sometimes, respecting a “no” leads to a more meaningful “yes” down the road.

💬 COMMUNICATION TIP
Where you get an experimental prompt for human conversations.

When trying to meet someone, instead of:

❌ "What time works for you?"

Try this...

✅ "Do you have 30min availability on Monday the 23rd between 2-4pm EST?”
​
​Remember to...

Be proactive! Instead of going back and forth over email, suggest some times and give folks something to work with.
I personally love using TidyCal; it’s more cost-effective than Calendly.

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

In the halls of Lakeside School in Seattle during the late 1960s, Paul Allen and Bill Gates crossed paths in a small, exclusive computer club.

Two teens. A shared obsession with computers. A meeting that almost didn’t happen.

Allen, the quiet visionary, showed Gates, the highly competitive analyst, the infinite possibilities of programming. Although different by nature, together, they clicked.

By 1975, that serendipitous connection birthed Microsoft—a company that transformed the world of technology forever.

Their story is proof: a one-chance meeting can spark a partnership that changes everything.

🎶 OUR PLAYLIST, UPDATED WEEKLY

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