'The Connection Quotient' with Marco Buschman

In this episode of the Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata interviews Marco Buschman, Dutch leadership expert and author of the book "The Connection Quotient." They delve into the topic of the human approach to connections, emphasising building a culture of connection within an organisation. Marco introduces the concepts of EQ (Emotional Quotient), IQ (Intelligence Quotient), and CQ (Connection Quotient).

Andy and Marco discuss how the quality of success within an organisation is dependent not just on individual relationships but on the connections across the team. The conversation then shifts to the importance of actively exploring, rather than trying to understand or win every argument. Marco Buschman sees the focus on fostering exploration and openness to disagreements or non-understanding, suggesting that this mindset fosters a more enriching interaction.

Developing a connection culture within an organisation, Marco asserts, involves maintaining a balance between the functional (about what is being done, i.e., roles, tasks, goals - the IQ part) and the relational (about who is doing it, i.e., emotions, values, attitudes - the EQ part). He points out that while getting work done is essential, no long-term productivity can be achieved if there's no genuine connection based on trust and mutual respect among team members.

They discuss the importance of a dual focus on both cognitive abilities (IQ) and emotional acuity (EQ), arguing that this blend helps form a stronger, more balanced connection within teams and organisations.  Focusing not only on hard work and strategic goals, but also on the critical aspects of team dynamics such as culture, relationships, and emotional investment can create a sustainable competitive advantage. Also, the importance of a long-term focus on relationships to achieve impactful results, as opposed to only meeting short-term functional targets is key.

An important point that emerged from the duo's discussion is the significance of self-connection before connecting with others. They highlighted that you can't truly connect with others without understanding and connecting with yourself. They also pointed out the critical role values play both personally and professionally, and the importance of differentiating between shared values and shared opinions.

Marco explained his 'connection quotient' framework, which explores connection at various levels – from personal to global – through two lenses: doing (functional) and being (relational). He remarked that understanding these layers can improve an individual's or team's ability to connect more meaningfully. 

The episode wraps up with Marco asserting that a successful connection culture emerges when leaders appreciate and foster both IQ (doing) and EQ (being) aspects, instead of viewing them as mutually exclusive. By acknowledging the importance of cognitive diversity and emotional connection, organisations can create successful, high-performing teams and a thriving work culture.

Ultimately, this episode offers valuable insights into the importance of cognitive diversity, showcasing different perspectives, and abilities --- vital for team performance and how a more profound understanding and leveraging of connection can enhance organisational success.

Connect with Andy Lopata Website 

‘The Connection Quotient’ by Marco Buschman

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Connect with Marco Buschman Website