You’re at a friend’s party and you’re out of things to talk about with the person you just met. Let us introduce…The Bump!
It’s after church and you’re talking to a new person. They’re great and also they just mentioned they love baking. Have you heard about…The Bump?
It’s 4:56 on a Sunday at My Buddy’s and you have to pee but someone is asking you a question and it feels hard to just walk away. It’s time for The Bump! (Although, also, we were recently reminded that you should listen to your body and we honor your needs.)
The Bump is shorthand for introducing a third person into your conversation and handing off the thread you’ve been holding. Maybe you or someone else in the conversation needs to escape or maybe there’s a fun connection to be made. Or in this relaunch phase at Gilead, maybe there’s just the opportunity for a couple more people to learn each other’s names.
That party scene: “Do you know Stephanie?” Besides letting yourself off the hook, you could be doing someone else a favor. Now they each know one more person. And you can go grab another drink.
After worship with a bread baker: “Have you met Lucas? He’s our bread tzar and I know he’s always looking for more bakers for communion.”
On your way to the can: either just get out of there and take care of it, or call someone else over, “Cillian, are you free? They have a question before church.”
Bump. Bump. Bump.
The other time to think of it is at the end of a one-on-one, when you’re each thinking about who else you might meet with. Who comes to mind? Can you help facilitate by texting both people? Great! Do it. Digital bump.