Because of the need to be viewed as a serious professional, committed to your career whenever and wherever needed, women are often reluctant to share the details of their life outside the office. 

But this is short-sighted. Business is personal. People prefer to do business with people they like.  For many people (women and men), their kids (or nieces or grandchildren) or outside interests are central to their lives. Making the subject taboo eliminates one of the most fertile grounds for making connections. 

This is not to say that people want to hear about every soccer victory your seven year-old had, or your views on this month’s book club selection, but these topics certainly shouldn’t be viewed as “off-limits” .

When I worked in the corporate world, many of my favorite colleagues and suppliers were people with whom I had developed a personal relationship. This doesn’t mean that we spent endless hours gossiping or complaining, but we did have an appreciation of the personal dimensions of each other’s lives – whether it was movie or restaurant recommendations, vacation adventures, or the college admission struggle.

Here's an illustration of how a personal connection can lead to business success.  I had a client who has an amazing cactus garden.  So amazing in fact, that an article about it appeared in a full page spread in the Los Angeles Times. She forwarded the article to about 100 of her friends, colleagues, and clients. The results?  About half of the recipients either called or e-mailed her congratulating on the article. She even got two new pieces of business out of it!

Not all of us have our hobbies highlighted in the LA Times. But all of us do have things that happen in our lives that we could share with other to strengthen and deepen our relationships - whether it's a favorite new band or snorkeling in Belize.

Think of two people you would like to deepen your relationship with.  Think of a subject from your personal life that would be appropriate to share with them –hobbies, travels, movie or book recommendations, or a new coffee place.   Share it! Strong personal relationships support strong business relationships.