To connect with a group, you must take imitative with the people in the group. To do that, do the following:
• Look for ways to compliment people in the group for their ideas and actions.
• Look for ways to add value to people in the group and what they’re doing.
• Don’t take credit when the group succeeds, and don’t cast blame when it fails.
• Find ways to help the group celebrate successes together.
From "Everyone Communicates Few Connect" by John C. Maxwell