I believe the best work comes from authentically showing up, and genuine interest in the people involved.
It's one of the reasons that I love working directly with stakeholders in a workshop, teaching UX methods in an educational activity, and supporting the mission of nonprofits looking to make the world a better place. There are so many passionate people in the world, and it amazes me the way that passion can be found everywhere. When I begin a project for a client, I make sure to give them and their project my full attention and energy.