Seek the Human Moment: Why Small Connections Set the Tone for Big Impact

There’s a moment, usually early in the day, when everything feels possible. Before the emails stack up, before the meetings blur together, before the noise of the workday competes with our attention and energy. It’s in that sliver of space that we get to choose how we show up. And in my world, as an extroverted-introvert, that choice isn’t always easy.

People often assume my work as a coach and consultant comes naturally because I thrive in conversation, connection, and collaboration. And I do, once I’m in it. But what they don’t always see is the introverted part of me that would often prefer to quietly observe, reflect, or ease into the day without jumping head-first into interaction.

Yet every time I choose connection first, before the tasks, before the pressure, before the “doing,” I feel better. More grounded, clear, and capable. And the entire trajectory of the day shifts.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿

We underestimate how quickly our days can slip into auto-pilot. We jump straight into our inbox, fire off a response, and suddenly we’re operating from reaction instead of intention. Those small, early human interactions like saying hello to a colleague, sharing a meaningful check-in, or offering a moment of genuine connection, interrupt that spiral in the best possible way.

A single human moment can:

  • 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 for the day

  • 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 across your team

  • 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 in the decisions you make

  • 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 for the work ahead

  • 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 in how you consider others’ perspectives

  • 𝗔𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 so you don’t get swept away by the day

And most importantly, it reminds us that we’re all humans first. Professionals second.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱-𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

There’s a unique challenge in being the person whose work depends on relationships, but whose inner world sometimes longs for quiet. Many leaders, coaches, and professionals feel this tension, they simply don’t talk about it. But what I’ve learned is when I intentionally create or seek out a human moment, my introverted self doesn’t get depleted, it gets aligned. It’s not the small talk that matters. It’s the connection. It’s hearing someone’s laugh. It’s watching someone exhale after feeling seen. It’s the shared moment that says, “We’re in this together.”

That kind of interaction feeds me in the best way. And it sets the conditions for clarity, because clarity doesn’t come from rushing. It comes from presence. Connection brings presence. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

When you start your day grounded in a human moment, something powerful happens: your decisions get better. You ask sharper questions. You listen more deeply. You consider impacts more thoughtfully. You recognize what matters… and what doesn’t.

Whether you’re launching a new project, stepping into a complex week, or simply trying to set the tone for your leadership, starting with a human moment is one of the easiest and most effective resets available.

Here’s my invitation to you as you move into your next day, your next meeting, your next project:

𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁.

Don’t wait for the right timing. Don’t wait until the list is shorter. Don’t wait until the chaos settles, because it won’t.

Find one colleague. One teammate. One person you can connect with in a meaningful way. Ask how they’re really doing. Share something honest about your day. Create a grounding moment before the tasks take over. It doesn’t have to be long. But it has to be 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭.

Because the right human moment at the right time does more than set the tone. It shapes the impact you’re capable of having.