The Gift Of An Introduction

The Gift of an Introduction

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

“How did the interview go?” My text zinged off despite the early hour. I was too eager to wait a moment longer. Rachael was interviewing for a dream job, and her second interview had been the afternoon before.

“It went great! The first thing Tom said to me was, ‘Julie told us we’d be foolish not to hire you.’”

I paused for a moment, trying to remember my conversation with Tom. I think I said it a bit nicer than that, but I was glad he read between the lines!

Tom and I have worked together professionally on several projects. He works for a great company, and when I learned he was hiring for a position I knew Rachael would love, I sent her the hiring notice. Rachael and I, originally coworkers, have developed a friendship that has transcended job changes and her move to a different community. I knew her personality and working style would be a good fit for Tom’s company. As Rachael submitted her résumé, I reached out to Tom directly with a glowing recommendation for Rachael, both professionally and personally, that he apparently took to heart.

I responded to Rachael’s text, and my heart lifted as she explained more about the interview and how they had asked her about potential start dates.

One of my favorite things is being a connector. As I go about my day, I keep my eyes and ears open, listening and filing away information about skill sets, dreams, and needs. When I sense a good match between a need and a corresponding resource (it can be the right person for an open job, or two women whose ministry passions are complementary), I offer to make an introduction. Before I connect them, I give each person a preview of the very best the other has to offer. I set the foundation for a professional or personal relationship whenever possible, and then I let them and God figure out the rest.

Positive “gossip”—intentionally wagging our tongues with truthful, complimentary information about others when they are not in the room—is transformational. It builds a community of harmony and unity and pulls people together instead of sowing seeds of discord and tension. Let’s choose to foster connection by spreading positive words about our friends.

— Julie

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Help make a connection by spreading positive information about a friend to coworkers, neighbors, extended family members, or fellow church members.