06 Sep Is Your Networking Skill Holding You Back?
Networking can sometimes seem cumbersome and one of those extra things that only extrovert, salesmen type people do. The truth is, this little skill may be holding a major key to unlocking your purpose and taking you to the next level.
Harvard Business Review shared a great article about How Leaders Create and Use Networks. They observed 30 managers who were making their way through “a point in their career which challenged them to rethink themselves and their roles” and found that networking was one of the most “dreaded developmental challenges that these aspiring leaders needed to address”. In the end they found that those who intentionally worked on their networking skills were more successful than those who failed to work on this critical area.
So to help you make better connections and be more successful in life, here are four tips that can help you ramp up your networking skills.
1. Never Underestimate A Person
You know that saying, “never judge a book by it’s cover”, well I’ve made that mistake earlier on in life. I remember years ago when I used to play the violin and on my first day heading to class an older woman walked by whom I paid no attention to. She was carrying her bags and quite a bit of music books and what I really should have done was to stop and help her. Little did I know she was my music professor Dr. Olive Lewin, famed for bringing the Jamaican folk music to its prominence among other things. To say the least, I was embarrassed after realizing who she was.
Often times you want to hang out with the who’s who, or the ones at the top, but what you may often overlook is that the ordinary person around you is excellent to get to know because they may very well be the one on top. If I had known who my music teacher was and how she looked I’m sure I would have responded differently that day. So, don’t underestimate the person next to you.
2. Be Kind
Everyone could always do with an extra hand and it’s very rare that people forget generosity. It has a way of coming back to you when you least expect it and chances are that if you help someone it increases the chance of them helping you somewhere down the line. Be kind to someone even if it’s just opening the door. No one gets to where they are by them self.
3. Live Fearless – Meet Someone New
It’s always easy for us to stay among the same group of people everyday. I get it, you feel comfortable, they get you and you understand their jokes. The only problem is the world is too small for us to stay in the same circles every day. Practice your interpersonal skills by intentionally sitting with someone new for lunch, in the other row of seats at church, or introduce yourself to someone during a flight. You’d be surprised to know how much they too would want to know more about you and may even be connected to you in some way. You’d be surprised to know that they know a friend who knows a friend, that has an aunt who knows your mom’s sister, who’s the best friend of your favourite grade six teacher…(i think you get the point). When that happens it’s highly likely that you’ll say, “small world, ha”…
4. Keep In Touch
Have you ever struck up a conversation during a bus ride, a long flight or in a hostel with someone you’ve just met which you felt comfortable chatting with? Usually when that happens it’s likely that you both have similar interests or values which you share which makes conversation easy. The challenge is we don’t always communicate with that person after departing. We simply go back to our regular world of friends. To up your skills in networking it will take some time, patience and intentionality. This means that an email or a quick call to catch up with the person would help to keep the friendship in motion. You never know when you’ll have to visit their side of town, or part of the world and need some local advice. It’s always a plus to keep in touch.
Whether you’re new to the world of networking or a veteran that understands much more, valuing people, showing kindness and keeping in touch are a few ways you can be sure to up your skills at networking.
A great resource to check out is – Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
Question: What are some tips you have found helpful in building your networking skills? You can leave a comment below.