Welcome back to Friday Morning, where we explore fresh and fascinating perspectives on life and work. In Friday Morning 102, we had an inspiring conversation with

- Commander of Turban Camp, who shared profound insights on how to connect with others—through both verbal and non-verbal communication—under the theme: **Tuning into Connections: How do we overcome the fear of connecting?

When it comes to connection, many of us face one of the biggest fears:

. This is the fear of not having any prior relationship or common ground with the other person, which can make the process of starting a conversation seem daunting. According to Mr. Tung, this isn’t something to worry about if we : "Instead of letting fear take over, see connection as an adventure." Connecting with others isn’t a heavy burden we have to carry; it’s an opportunity to explore, challenge ourselves, and open new doors. Mr. Tung suggests that a simple way to start is by finding a with the other person. For example, if you’re at a fair for the first time and need to strike up a conversation with someone, instead of worrying, begin with light-hearted questions like, “Do you know what’s interesting around here?” or “What do you like the most about this fair?” With just an open-ended question, you can break the ice and create an initial connection.

The next concept Mr. Tung emphasized is the

t. When we try to connect with someone, identifying a shared link between the two of you will make the conversation flow more smoothly. A touchpoint doesn’t have to be something huge—it could be a shared hobby, a similar experience, or even just a funny story you can relate to. By focusing on finding something both sides can resonate with, you can easily adjust your to better match the other person. Mr. Tung stressed that connection is a two-way process: it’s not just about trying to understand the other person, but also allowing them to understand you. Once you’ve found common ground and the conversation has begun, the next step is to deepen the through more personal questions. Tùng suggested that after learning basic information like name, location, or hobbies, you can guide the conversation into deeper topics such as work, passions, or the things the other person truly cares about. A practical example he shared: if you know the other person is a photographer, don’t hesitate to ask them about the projects they’re currently working on, or the they’re passionate about. These aren’t just questions—they are opportunities to open up , which in turn create a stronger connection.

Beyond connection skills, Mr. Tung also shared his own emotional “adventure” experiences—personal journeys that have given him a deeper understanding of c

and the world around him. Stories like his 45-day stint in prison, lying in a coffin to face death, or those lonely moments while diving deep under the ocean revealed a spectrum of different emotions. Mr. Tung explained that these experiences helped him understand not only the loneliness and fear but also the importance of truly . These experiences brought him a deep sense of , not just for himself but for those around him, helping him realize that connection doesn’t always happen through words, but through the emotions and experiences we share. Non-Verbal Connection – The Flow of Emotions Connection doesn’t always need to happen through words. In many situations, are key to understanding each other better. Tùng shared that sometimes all it takes is a look, a smile, or even the to bring about understanding. In situations like when he was lost while diving, where verbal communication was impossible, he learned to "listen" to the world through other signals: the rhythm of the water, the light, and nature’s subtle forms of communication. In his view, connection isn’t just about exchanging information but also about through non-verbal signals. This is the "silent language" that allows us to truly understand each other on a deeper level.

Vu Thanh Tung’s session on Friday Morning Ep 102 offered many

on connection. He showed us that overcoming the fear of connection isn’t as hard as we think if we know how to find , and learn to listen and feel the . Through his stories and experiences, we hope you’ll feel inspired to embark on your own journey of connecting with the world around you—with confidence and emotion. Remember, sometimes doesn’t begin with words, but with an understanding that arises from the smallest, most subtle things