Transcription

• Speaker #0

  Hey, wonderful human beings, my name is Anne-Claire and I will be presenting Sophie Le Donneur's podcast, Learning in the Flow of Life. A light and deep dynamic transformative show for people who want to sustainably grow into new possibilities and make a positive impact in the world.

• Speaker #1

  Hello!

• Speaker #0

  Last time we discovered Sophie's second C around curiosity and how to bring on a compass to find our way to curiosity. Today we'll be talking about the third of Sophie's five C's, connection. This third C aims to create a capacity to connect and build a positive environment. This concept can serve as a common language for developing sustainable habits and making conscious environmental decisions at the ADHD calls in their framework Relayity. Sophie, up to you now, tell us more about your third C for connection.

• Speaker #1

  Thank you, Anne-Claire. So connection. Well, I want to start by saying that the global challenges that we're facing today have a complexity that we've never faced before. And today's challenges are bigger, more complicated, more global than ever. They affect every nation, every person and every aspect of our planet and even beyond.

• Speaker #0

  Sure, that is true.

• Speaker #1

  We need the best of all insights to tackle difficulties. Human connectedness is key and this human connection is about creating inner and outer interactions for me.

• Speaker #0

  I love this perspective.

• Speaker #1

  And since learning is emergent, like Consciousness. We need a conscious learning connection to ourselves through introspection first. This first interaction is a connection between thinking and feeling. And then to the outer world or the interpersonal connection world. And this synergy between inner and outward connection empowers us to tackle these global challenges with resilience and a sense of interconnectedness. When a team of individuals share beliefs through unified efforts, challenges can be overcome and positive results can be achieved. We know that when the brain learns, it creates new connections all the time and therefore the brain changes. As such, learning needs a shift of mindful awareness to create a self-correcting system which responds to changes positively and enables everyone to fully connect to their own selves as well as each other.

• Speaker #0

  Well, this question around the inner and outer connection is at the heart of the human experience. I'm pretty sure of it. Can you tell us more about it?

• Speaker #1

  Well, human beings are inherently social creatures. We're wired to be with others. When going through stress in our learning journey, a sense of human connection is one of our fundamental needs.

• Speaker #0

  Very interesting. It's a point very precious to remember.

• Speaker #1

  At the core of this understanding is the concept of social brain theory, which suggests... that our brains have evolved to support social interaction and cooperation among individuals. Neuroscientists have identified specific areas within the brain such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex that are crucial for social behavior and emotional regulation. These areas are activated during social interactions, highlighting the neurological basis of our social creature. Social connection can lower anxiety and help us regulate our emotions. Feeling socially connected, especially in an increasingly isolated world, is more important than ever.

• Speaker #0

  Gosh, it is hard. Some people might feel like being in the jungle when they meet other people, isn't it?

• Speaker #1

  Absolutely, Anne-Claire. Absolutely. And emotion and cognition have long been treated as independent entities. But it is now clearly understood that emotion and cognition are in fact... highly interdependent. Some people might be more reactive than others. Therefore, thanks to active emotional and cognitive introspection on how we behave when connecting, we will grow a powerful ability to learn and feel comfortable with change, mistakes, and the consequences of what we are fearful of. And learning in the flow of life has to do with what the mind and the heart produce to make sense of the world. Examining our own conscious thoughts and feelings is the process of introspection and it relies on the observation of our mental and emotional state. The goal of this act of introspection is to provide knowledge that can help people make connections. And to trigger this first interaction, let's consciously choose to adopt a perspective of openness and connectedness.

• Speaker #0

  But how can we openly connect?

• Speaker #1

  That's a great question here. Well, in this inner connection. You may notice how fear stops the learning process from taking place or you may notice that fear is often present or fear of not knowing or fear of not being good enough or of appearing silly in front of others and when we're trapped in this fearful emotion we can't move forward and connect with another human being. But if we think that fear is about the consequence that may happen then we start looking at facts and start checking what if it happens, what can be the consequences and then list them as what is.

• Speaker #0

  Yeah, it reminds me the podcast I made with some teenagers, exactly those questions of fear and that block them for expressing themselves in front of others. You mean focusing on the consequences and listing them.

• Speaker #1

  absolutely essential, you list them as what is, will enable everyone to actually face the fear in a more relaxed way. And the second connection is the outer connection, the outer interaction that I call in my book, the social part, which is about creating relationship. And for me, we need to build a connection based on trust and respect to foster learning at a different level. It's like in this dance that trust begins to flourish, setting the stage for deeper connections.

• Speaker #0

  But at the end, what is trust really?

• Speaker #1

  Hmm, I love that question. In a wonderful training session I had with the Inquiry Institute, the facilitator shared her own trust model, which resembled a triangle. At the top of the triangle was the ability to do the work. At the bottom left was transparency. And at the bottom right was the principle that what you say you do and what you do you say. I was so thankful as I thought it was a definition that made sense to me. And then I felt like sharing with people today.

• Speaker #0

  Yes, thank you very much. And how can we actually bring on this trustful part?

• Speaker #1

  so first of all sharing this definition of trust your own definition of trust it could be the triangle that i shared but also the way to human connection is to put the humility hat on first i know i don't know everything and i see what i know through my own eyes the for me eyes For me, it is essential to understand that we live through the world with our own perceptions and filters. Then I feel that regulating judgement is important too. And the first connection is therefore with self and the acceptance of differences with the ability to let go of limiting beliefs. And this starts with being in the moment and not wanting to be right, but to find what the intention or interest is for the other person. I truly believe that starting by sharing what connects you and what disconnects you could maybe be opening doors.

• Speaker #0

  To give an example, what disconnects me is when people criticize my work. And what connects you, Sophie? Sophie.

• Speaker #1

  What connects me and Claire is actually a light and deep connection like the one we're having now.

• Speaker #0

  So that connects me too.

• Speaker #1

  And learning in the flow of life is about engaging into this unknown by sharing what's behind our own glasses. In the context of this outer interaction or interpersonal connection, let's share another compass. east or in the northern part. Some individuals will more likely connect with strategies that are direct and result-oriented, valuing efficiency and effectiveness in achieving objectives.

• Speaker #0

  Okay, you mean like people who come to me with a quick question and it feels like a rush to me.

• Speaker #1

  Absolutely, that's right. Now... Up west in the northern parts, some will be inclined to connect with people through strategies that are planned and meticulously organized, valuing thoroughness and precision in their approach to tasks and projects.

• Speaker #0

  Like someone who will ask very precise questions and it feels to me too meticulous.

• Speaker #1

  Absolutely.

• Speaker #0

  Okay.

• Speaker #1

  That's what it feels like for you. And down southeast, you can imagine that people will be more oriented towards others, thriving on social interactions and valuing relationships.

• Speaker #0

  Like this.

• Speaker #1

  Like us. And down West, people connect through harmony and supportiveness, fostering an inclusive environment.

• Speaker #0

  Wow, that feels like my world of connection. It's really interesting to realize that we don't have the same approach to connect. all of us.

• Speaker #1

  Absolutely. And for me, this is a key component, being aware of how different we connect. And there's another deep component, which is empathy. It involves being able to connect with the emotions, the energy and feelings of the people around us and thus understand their perspectives, intentions and actions. This empathetic resonance can strengthen bonds between individuals and for me it needs to be sincere.

• Speaker #0

  A real deep empathy.

• Speaker #1

  Sincere to contribute to a more cohesive and supportive social environment. And being conscious of the energy we bring to our interactions and actively working to cultivate positive energy may also enhance our connections. Nurturing our connections with others through active listening, empathy and genuine interest can create a positive connection. Any questions to connect to yourself and others? that you can also find in the IDG toolkit. What are your three most important values? I would say your why. Why? In what situations or when do you stop being close to your values? How do you stay open when you have a different opinion?

• Speaker #0

  So many interesting questions. After all of this, dear listeners, how do you feel?

• Speaker #1

  And I like your questions. I don't want to ask those questions just for the sake of asking them. I want to know if the key to connection has been unlocked for you. What thoughts and feelings? What obstacles? Let's share this together. Come talk to me about it through my website. I hope you have found my exploration of new possibilities both light and deep. If you're keen to see these ideas come to life around you, and if you'd like to create a ripple effect in the world, please do share this with others.

• Speaker #0

  Yes, do share this with others. You can post about it on social media, or feel free to contact Sophie through our website, sophieledonner.com, to co-create possibilities in your surroundings, at work, at school, and at home. Oh, if you feel like knowing more about Sophie's work, you can also check out her famous book, Agility of Mind. We are so grateful for your attention. Thanks again and see you soon for a new episode.

• Speaker #1

  See you soon.

• Speaker #0

  See you soon. Bye. Let's go share it. You can post it on social media or feel free to contact Sophie through our website to co-create possibilities in our surroundings at work, at school and at home. www.sophieledonner.com If you feel free. If you feel like knowing more about Sophie's work, you can check out her famous book Agility of Mind. We are so grateful for your attention. Thanks again and see you soon for a new episode.

• Speaker #1

  See you soon.

• Speaker #0

  Bye. Bye.