Long ago in a land far away when I was a teenager, my favorite part about the Sunday newspaper was an insert about a particular celebrity.

The article answered a standard series of questions about them and their lives. It somehow made them more human, more like me.

All was revealed: their favorite movie, book, song, even words; all things that gave us insight to who they really were.

Even in those pre-social media days, those articles influenced the economy and industry. The books they liked became the books we bought. The moves and songs they claimed as favorites influenced our own cultural choices. These weren’t paid endorsements like commercials. We believed, albeit some might say naively that this was indeed who they were. And we believed our lives could be more like theirs, if we were more like them.

A similar kind of insight can be found today watching interviews on Inside the Actor’s Studio. This television show has a similar premise. The host (James Lipton) asks a series of questions of famous people. It would seem to be a format that has been and continues to be incredibly successful.

Why is this interesting to us? Why do we care? What if it is more than just wanting to be like them? What if at the core we really all just want to connect? These platforms both then and now bring that person into our realm. It allows the connection.

There is of course risk with this. You may find you like someone better, or perhaps not as much. But always you feel as if you now have insider information. You’ve been brought into their inner circle. While it can be argued (and should be) that in fact we do not really know them, there does seem to be some insight into the “why” of their life. The bond created in many cases converts us from mere fans to advocates of their personal causes. Especially today.

This is an interesting idea when we expand it to think about our connection to those within our daily lives. What if we allowed that same level of curiosity to come into play about the humanity of those we interact with everyday in our own communities, at home and at work? When was the last time you asked someone about a book they have read that left an impression? Or what movie has recently touched their heart? Do you know your child’s favorite word? Their favorite sound? What if we allowed ourselves to peer in a bit to learn what we could to better connect with them inside their world?

What questions would you ask?  How can you make certain that you continuously gain personal insights for those in your daily circles? What knowledge would help you create more value?

We all know that questions are a powerful tool.  They can change our perspective as well as those answering. In changing our perspectives, in the end we have the opportunity to change everything.

Not sure where to begin? What do you think they would like you to know?  Maybe just start there. Ask them that.

Live (Connect) today like you want tomorrow to be. Live (Connect) well.