By / Shaun Ekert
C.S. Lewis said, “True friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You, too? I thought I was the only one.’” This applies to any human relationship—friends, colleagues, family—because it isn’t until we connect on an in-kind level that we look beyond the superficial and real connection begins.
That doesn’t mean individuals have to be emotionally forthcoming or over the top—it simply means that to reach others, forget the sales pitches and rehearsed conversations starters and be real. Other people need to see something in you that they can relate to, something they understand on a deeper level before they can begin to reciprocate and even trust. That isn’t fancy sociology science; it is basic human nature mixed with a little common sense.
Networking events like conferences and tradeshows are excellent places to practice these skills. Chances are, you are reading this issue of the TIAC Times at or leading up to the annual TIAC conference in Montreal, QC. If you are at the conference or planning to attend, welcome. It promises to be an excellent event by all professional and social measures as our conference committee has put in countless hours to cover all the bases. Be sure to check in with colleagues new and old, take in as much of the educational/technical program as you can, and of course, bring your authentic self to everything you do.
Meeting in Quebec where so much of Canada’s early colonized history occurred, it is natural to think back to how relationships were formed at that time. First Nations, traders, founding communities—Canada’s recent past is full of examples where stories were told, commerce flourished, victories were sung, and battles were fought. All of these things occurred among individuals being as real as they knew how and often looking to one another for solutions. At the end of the day, these individuals made the most progress when they met on common ground, looked eye to eye, and realized, “What! You, too? I thought I was the only one.” There is a lot to be learned and respected from these encounters. People shared their stories, educated others and learned new skills, kickstarting a great sharing of knowledge and still exists today.
The TIAC board has been busy over these last several months and is looking forward to updating the membership on current and future initiatives. The Young Innovators’ Group has been hard at work on the Denis Formula and various ways to digitize TIAC’s technical materials, and TIAC’s director of energy initiatives, Steve Clayman, has been making the rounds at tradeshows and is eager to share his report.
I strongly encourage you to attend the annual general meeting and breakout sessions that apply to you—contractors, manufacturers, or suppliers. This is your industry-specific forum for open, honest discussion about the things that matter most in your part of the industry. This is where colleagues come together behind closed doors and get real. This is where “What! You, too?” moments really happen.
Most importantly, take the time to listen to and interact with people you see every year or to reach out to those visiting the conference for the first time. You never know when your efforts will bring new faces, voices, and ideas to the TIAC fold. Can someone working on a ship in Halifax solve a problem they’ve been tinkering with using a solution proposed by someone building high-rises in Vancouver? You’ll never find out unless you show up and actively seek the answers you are after.
Never underestimate the importance of stepping out of your day-to-day routine to expanding your network and skills at conferences. The other 361 days of the year are spent within your own company, which means the habits, processes, leadership styles, and manners of behaving you witness most often are well known to you. At conferences and networking events, delegates are exposed to 150 or more business owners, contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers all in the same room. Within that context, it is possible to observe and learn from others and share ideas of your own. Like the early settlers and their Indigenous teachers, this is our chance to come together for a common good and share stories in meaningful ways without the pressure of competition. There really is no better place to experience this phenomenon.
If it is technical education you seek, hopefully you took the opportunity to take the Insulation Appraisal Program, held by National Insulation Association (NIA) just before the conference. If it is anecdotal education or education relating to one specific issue or problem you are after, be sure to make the most of the various social and networking opportunities.
If you didn’t make the conference this year, be sure to check out the Fall issue of TIAC Times for a recap of the event, its presentations, and its activities. Maybe it will inspire you to attend in the future, or to reach out to someone who did attend to find out what they learned and can share. Just because you didn’t attend doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from thinking about ways to connect with others on an authentic level. The next time you are in a meeting or floating new ideas past a committee, listen carefully, be observant, and look for ways to share “What! You, too?” moments with others. It can only mean success for you and those around you.▪