One of the things I often get credit for is relying on my one true addiction- coffee.

I can thank the universe that I have such an addiction. It gives me the perfect invitation to sit down with a new soul and learn about what they do.

I do not need to know them, I only have to be willing to share something I love with them. For a brief few minutes, we are just two people enjoying the drinks of our choice.

Sometimes I run across someone who hates coffee. This is not a deterrent or closed door. In fact, it is the essence of why I love coffee. In relying on my love of coffee, I must throw aside my personal security and try something new.

This has led me to a variety of tea, chai drinks, mystery concoctions, wine, beers, and things with names I can't even say. Yet for the most part, I have found that I have enjoyed trying something new since the person I am having it with usually has a love of their own. The energy they bring to our encounter adds to the very experience.

I love the adventure of trying something new, take my bumps and bruises; simply so I can meet new people and enjoy a new relationship.

Now take this mindset and apply it to business.

In a few days I'll be flying to New York City for a large conference to do multiple sessions on the topics of social networking, blogging, and building community. Our company will have ten people at our booth, yet inevitably one or two of us will have a hard day and shrink away from a "bad encounter" on the conference floor.

This will undoubtedly happen to me, when I accidentally spill my coffee on someone I am talking to and they take a swing at me or tell me I'm a clumsy fool. Yet I will take a deep breath, dust off my karmic bruises, and greet the next person as if they are my friend.

Why? Because they well could be.

Even when dealing  with business, a primary thought I always have in my head is personal. I wonder if this person would be fun to go hiking with or if they have a recommendation on how I should raise my five year old son.

The personal element works for me. I believe human nature is to relate to others on a human level. Once you find common ground in the types of coffee you like, you can often find common ground to working on a more professional business level. This common ground can be built off anything, including what you may have thought as a flaw.

Being human, requires fault.

I love my coffee. People understand that. I have other faults that I often openly (and repeatedly) admit to.

The point of this message

Is that some disadvantages can also be our greatest assets. We can share faults just as easily as we can share success.

If you learn to look at how you handle your flaws, you can realize that those very things in life actually provide you with a tool for building human relationships.