The Book Leads: Impactful Books For Life & Leadership

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Episode 173: Steve Cafiero & The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships by Susan McPherson

April 15
1h 12m

Episode Description

Episode 173: Steve Cafiero & The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships by Susan McPherson

About Steve

Steve Cafiero is founder and managing partner of TideShift Partners, where he works with senior leaders to scale their businesses across leadership strategy, organizational alignment, talent development, and change management. Steve clients include executives from major corporations including SAP, AT&T, Gartner, Amazon, Forrester, Calvin Klein, VMware, Broadcom, AETNA, UBS, and several privately held companies. Steve’s professional experience includes positions at SAP, Gartner, AT&T, and privately held financial services firms. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York, and an MBA from PACE University. He and his wife Kim have been active members of the Wilton community for over thirty years. They have two grown daughters, and enjoy traveling, entertaining, and spending time with family and friends.

Conversation Highlights

  • The transition from traditional networking to connection building for deeper relationships

  • Key takeaways from The Lost Art of Connecting by Susan McPherson

  • How past experiences, including family stories, shape our approach to leadership and connection

  • The significance of vulnerability, trust, and intentionality in professional relationships

  • Practical strategies: gather, ask, do—ethical engagement over time

  • The role of emotional bank accounts and being present in conversations

  • How introversion and extroversion influence our ability to connect

  • Leadership styles rooted in servant leadership and active listening

  • Building community through hosting and expanding networks beyond immediate contacts

  • The importance of timing and momentum in expanding influence

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Steve is, In this age of disconnection, how are you intentional about how you show up for others to connect with and understand them?

Find Steve

LinkedIn - Full Podcast Article: 

CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Book Leads Podcast - Steve Cafiero

00:58- Introduction & Bio

02:49 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

06:00 - How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?

22:28 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?

26:03 - What is your superpower?

26:50 - Steve's ability to connect with others

00:00 - What does leadership mean to you?

36:55 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?

50:26 - What's changed in you in the process of writing this book?

01:03:45 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)


This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.

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