#204: Who You Need To BE & What Fears You Need To Eliminate To Create The Connections That Make Everything Possible… w/ Lou Diamond

Beyond Curious ™ (formerly 7-Figure Millennials)

Back in 2021 after going through a bit of a shitstorm, one of the questions I spent a lot of time thinking about was, “Why am I here?”

After heading into a cave for a bit, I emerged with an answer…

To the best of my visibility, I believe my purpose is to create a more deeply connected world.

When I met Lou Diamond and I heard him say…

“I was put on this planet to work with incredible people and help them thrive through connecting”

… I knew we had to continue playing together!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Who you need to BE in your relationships to create deeper connection with others
• How to identify, name, and then overcome the fears preventing you from connecting deeply with others
• How to leverage Lou’s Brand Word Exercise to uncover how you’re perceived by others, and how to lean more into the attributes your brand needs

Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Lou Diamond

In this episode of Beyond Curious, host Brandon Fong welcomes Lou Diamond, a professional speaker, sales and leadership consultant, award-winning podcaster, and bestselling author. The episode centers around the theme of connection—how to create deeper, more meaningful relationships in both personal and professional settings. Lou shares his insights on overcoming limiting beliefs, the importance of being curious, and how to align with your true self to thrive in life. Brandon and Lou explore the foundational elements that make powerful connections possible and discuss practical tools to improve your communication skills.

Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Lou Diamond

Brandon Fong introduces today's guest, Lou Diamond, highlighting Lou’s expertise in helping businesses and individuals thrive through the power of connection. Brandon shares the story of how he and Lou connected and discusses their aligned missions of fostering deeper connections in the world.

03:30 - Lou’s Early Lessons in Connection

Lou recounts his childhood experiences working in his father's jewelry store. He shares how these early interactions taught him the importance of understanding customers' needs and building relationships, which laid the foundation for his career in connecting people.

10:38 - From Wall Street to ThriveLoud

Lou discusses his transition from a successful but unfulfilling career in financial services to launching ThriveLoud. He explains how a pivotal experience at a trade show in Las Vegas helped him realize his unique gift for connecting people, leading to his first book, Master the Art of Connecting.

16:25 - The Currency of Connection: Help

Lou introduces the concept that the currency of connection is "help." He emphasizes that every meaningful connection is built on the exchange of help, whether it's solving a problem, providing support, or simply being present for someone.

19:32 - The SAFE Acronym and Your Super Why

Lou explains the SAFE acronym, which stands for Super Why, Authenticity, Fearlessness, and Empathy. These are the core traits that enable deep connections. He also dives into the importance of knowing your "super why"—your core purpose—and how it guides your interactions.

26:25 - The Power of Curiosity

The conversation shifts to the importance of being curious in conversations. Lou and Brandon discuss how asking questions and actively listening fosters deeper connections. Lou explains that curiosity is the key to understanding others and making meaningful connections.

32:19 - Focus in Conversations

Lou stresses the importance of being fully present and focused during conversations. In a world full of distractions, staying focused on the person you're communicating with is crucial for building strong connections.

41:31 - The Brand Word Exercise

Lou shares a practical exercise to help listeners uncover their personal brand words. He explains how asking others to describe you in a few words can reveal how you are perceived and help you align your actions with your true self.

48:27 - Overcoming Fear in Conversations

Lou and Brandon discuss the concept of fearlessness in communication. Lou introduces the idea of identifying, naming, and flipping your fears to move past limiting beliefs that hinder your ability to connect with others.

55:15 - The Role of Fear in Personal Growth

The episode concludes with a discussion on how fear is a natural part of the human experience and how it can be transformed into a motivating force for growth and connection.

Links & Resources:

• Lou Diamond’s website
• Lou Diamond’s LinkedIn Profile
• ThriveLoud Podcast
• Master the Art of Connecting by Lou Diamond
• Speak Easy: Connect with Every Conversation by Lou Diamond