Day #1 Reflection: Connection is Still our Strongest Tool
Connection Is Still Our Strongest Tool
My first takeaway, reinforced by experiences like this Spring Summit, is simple but powerful.
There’s something especially meaningful about in-person connection. It has always been important, but since COVID, I find myself more aware of its value. We have adapted to new ways of working and interacting across screens, and while those tools bring incredible benefits, they do not replace human connection. There is a difference in being together, and I felt it on day one. The event team set the tone from the start, creating a space that made it easy to engage, connect, and be fully present.
What stood out to me within the first few hours was how quickly connections formed. The fireside chat with Julia Rafal-Baer and Annie Duke sparked thoughtful ideas, but it was the shared experience that brought people together. Sitting at the same tables, listening, reacting, and reflecting in real time, we immediately had something in common. That common ground created space for genuine conversation and connection.
The discussion itself was inspiring and left me with ideas I am still processing, including the distinction between being assertive and aggressive, and the concept of “time travel,” considering what your future self will think and feel to guide decisions today.
My biggest takeaway from the day is a simple one: making the time to come together matters.
Adding to the must read list: Thinking in Bets, By Annie Duke
By Kim, Vice President of Partnerships
