Plenty of lip service is paid to the importance of relationships, particularly in the business world. Nonetheless, Gail Kerr demonstrates in her column today that getting to know people and taking a genuine interest in their lives has a tremendous impact in local politics, too, and I think this truth extends well beyond the campaign trail.

My friend Jason Holleman, a candidate for the District 24 Metro Council seat, has embraced this kind of approach this spring:

“The first thing I did was look at people who voted in all seven of the last seven Metro elections,” said attorney Jason Holleman, a candidate in the Sylvan Park/Richland areas. “That is less than 200 people. I figured these are people who really care about the district, and care about the city, and would definitely participate. I called those people and made appointments to come and see them.”

Then, he’s used a broader list of somewhat frequent voters, knocking on about 3,000 doors. Holleman’s approach may be more intense than most, but Barrett said it’s a trend all over town. In Bellevue, doorbells are ringing — including mine.

I’ve known Jason for about 12 years, and he’s been talking about running for Metro Council the entire time. Mutual friends of ours confirm his interest in the council at least as far back as fifth grade. Though I haven’t specificaly asked his father, I have a feeling that Mr. Holleman can track his son’s ambitions for public service even farther back. During the time I’ve known him, Jason has invested his time constantly in learning how the council and how the city government operates. He’s developed a solid understanding of what it takes to represent local residents, and he’s spent a lot of time volunteering in community organizations contributing ideas and hard work toward good causes such as the Sylvan Park Neighborhood Association, Nashville’s Table, Middle Tennessee Boy Scouts of America and the Nashville City Cemetery Association.

In my opinion, you can’t fake connecting with people. Either your intentions are sincere and honest, or you do more harm than good in making the attempt. I notice this frequently when I receive junk mail that is personalized, but my name is misspelled or another detail is incorrect. Some direct mail marketers have even resorted to printing address labels that look like they are handwritten (until you look closely). Whenever I notice these false efforts to personalize an impersonal correspondence, I’m even less likely to respond than usual. Regardless of the exciting and innovative ways that technology allows us to connect with each other, exchanging thoughts, opinions, hopes and dreams face-to-face is still what influences hearts and minds most of all. I think that is a good, good thing.