The secret sauce of networking - Don’t make it about you!
Most everyone I know cringes at the idea of networking. It brings up nightmare memories of walking into a room full of strangers, engaging in dry small talk, and eventually making an uncomfortable ask for help while eyes glaze over. Bored yet? I sure am! 💤
Luckily, this view of networking is outdated. As Pascel Michels so beautifully put in a piece he shared on LinkedIn recently, “networking is about listening with the aim of advancing someone else’s agenda, not your own.”
He goes on to emphasis that it isn’t about asking people you don't know for help. Nor is it about making up reasons to speak to someone with the intent to be remembered. It is about listening and helping others.
This approach sure takes a lot of pressure off the plate, doesn’t it? 😁
A strategic byproduct of this process is that you start collecting a cocktail of anecdotes, stories, and experiences and before you know it you become a “super-connector”, introducing people to each other because you can see their mutual gain.
So how do you start manifesting this new lifestyle?
1. Mindset shift: First and foremost, set a positive outlook and intention towards networking. Your thoughts (whether conscious or unconscious) create your feelings, which drive your actions and results in life. So try to cultivate thoughts that networking is beneficial to your job search or whatever goals you’ve set for yourself. Negative thoughts won’t serve you. A positive thought will create a positive feeling which will drive positive actions in your networking. Some thoughts that have helped serve me with networking include “I’m curious who I might help tonight,” “I love meeting new people and learning about their stories,” and “Networking is fun!”. A lot of these thoughts generate the feeling of curiosity which helps me be more open to networking with others and curious about their stories and how I can help them.
2. Make networking a lifestyle: Build it into your daily life in a way that feels genuine and organic to you. Join an active group or club, perhaps a mommy group, toastmasters, book club, debate group, walking group, sports league, and/or volunteer. Think about areas of your life that you are curious about or find groups that share your interests. You don’t have to go to stuffy formal events to network and meet interesting new people.
3. Read a diversity of newsletters: I recently attended a webinar by Kristy Wallace, CEO of Ellevate where she spoke about strategies for successful networking. She highlighted the importance of reading different newsletters on different subjects for inspiration and creativity. Not only does it give you lots of interesting material to talk about when networking, but it is also a great resource to share strategically with colleagues when you come across articles that would benefit them.
4. Assess your network and build in diversity: Regularly assess the health of your network by asking yourself the following questions. How many in your network would you consider strategic to your end goals? How much diversity is represented in your network? How much do you know about those in your network? How connected is your network?
5. Set your goals and expectations: Set some goals and expectations for your networking that help achieve your end goals, don’t be haphazard about it. Some examples might include:
Go for quality over quantity.
Meet 100+ people.
Comment on people’s posts on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Amplify people’s speaking engagements.
Reach out to people and let them know you like their work.
Go to conferences and speak to the organizers, speakers, etc
What do you have to offer? And what do you want in return?
Aim to follow up with people once a quarter, two times a year, etc
6. Follow up: Always follow up immediately after a meeting, event, or conference, and try to cultivate the relationships. It's a lost opportunity if you go to an event and don’t follow up and close the loop
7. The Ask: Build a relationship and rapport with someone over time first and then maybe make an ask. It is also much easier to ask them if they know someone in the industry you are looking in, than if they can get you a job.
So get get out there, listen, and see how you can help someone this month!
And if you need extra support along the way, set up a free consult with me to learn how I can help you learn the tools you need to successfully navigate any challenge in your “career-plus-motherhood adventure”! Click here to schedule a free call now, and start your journey towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life.