Effective networking is a key component in professional development. It applies to every industry at every level and can be utilized in many ways – to grow your business, to sign new clients, to create referrals, to find employee candidates, or to discover a new mentor.
Often, networking can be viewed as a task to check off the list, as opposed to an opportunity to build ongoing, meaningful relationships. But networking makes a significant difference in our career when we focus on the relationship piece.
Building meaningful relationships begins with a simple concept: show a genuine interest in the other person. Many people approach networking by thinking about how to present themselves and what they have to offer in the most compelling way possible – you certainly want to know how to talk about yourself, your strengths, your business, etc. but the most important facet to networking is learning how to genuinely connect with other people.
Connecting with people is not hard, but it requires intentionality. A few key tips include:
- Smile at people when you meet them, shake their hand and look them in the eye. Be pleasant and friendly.
- Ask people questions, pay attention when the other person talks, instead of thinking about what you want to say next. Listen well.
- Share confidently about yourself and the value that you can bring to other people – whether it’s professionally or personally. Be real and candid.
- Always remember a person’s name and use their name in conversation – it makes conversation more personal and makes people feel important.
- And finally, show people that you are the real deal and reliable by always following up on what you say you will do.
When you go to a networking event, almost everyone else there is looking to obtain a job or to gain a new customer. They are more interested in promoting what they are doing than hearing about what you are doing. You can stand out by being a person who actually is interested in what everyone else is doing.
How? Again, we come back to showing a genuine interest in the other person.
As Dale Carnegie says, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” What are some practical ways you can show interest with someone you are meeting for the first time?
First, ask questions to learn about what they do. Do they like what they do? What’s their favorite thing about their career? What did they do before what they do now? What led them to this career?
Second, ask them questions that will lead to how you can add value to them. What are their goals? What is a priority to them? How can you support them as they work to achievement?
Third and very importantly, follow up. Email every person with which you interacted and tailor each email to your conversation. Make it personal. Brainstorm how you could truly add value to someone else that you met and offer this value. Whenever you help someone, they will be inclined to think of a way they could potentially help you too. You can even ask them to coffee or lunch to learn more about their business or their goals. And be interested to learn about it – why does this person do what they do? What do they want to achieve? How could you help?
Always start out focused on what value you can add to the other person. If the value you have to offer is a business opportunity, not just a favor, share it confidently. Keep in mind that you must be convinced of the value that you offer before anyone else will be.
Remember, key relationships can have a significant impact on your career. No matter what stage you are in, there are always benefits to making new connections and learning what you can about them.
I really love and enjoy this reading. Reading this I learned that when you speak out clearly you thoughts and ideas people see you as winner, because you are not afraid to go straight to the point.
Great article.....And happy belated birthday! Welcome to my world, young lady!
Whenever I have a work project that I keep putting off - I think about delegating that project to someone else - which accomplishes 2 things- it gets the project done and frees us my brain space thinking about it.
Good morning. I loved this read. Thank you so much for sharing. Sincerely, Melissa :)
Thank you for this blog Laurie. I liked most part and specially "As organizations have become more complex, there is a tendency to require employees to do more with less. This is a slippery slope, and often can result in employees feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. One of the biggest contributors to this is not evaluating resources during the strategic planning process." I will use this practice "A best practice is to do what I call Priority Planning—putting important practices on your calendar ahead of time so they become a priority in your day. Examples of activities to Priority Plan include scheduling recurring coaching sessions with each team member, time for strategic thinking and planning, vacations, doctor appointments, important children’s events, and blocks of time for focused work on projects." To be more effective, I will get a good rest so I can have enough energy in the morning. I will read the blog again along with the other links on employee evaluation. Thank you so much Laurie. Best wishes to you and your family.
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I love the feedback on the more than 50 hours of work. AND filling time. So true. Unfortunately, showing that you work longer hours is still seen as being a "hard worker" - not sure how to change that though.
I enjoyed the read. I concur that transitioning from technical skills to delegating results was a task within itself. I did not realize I was almost trying to do the same thing from my previous position, and it was not working. However, I am seeing the results of how delegating daily tasks makes my job and workload easier. Thank you, Laurie.
Thank you for sharing information about your trip Laurie! All 3 things resonate with me - probably #1 being the biggest. I know when I'm gone for a week, I'm still thinking about work and need a vacation when I get back because I did not relax enough. I think your idea of a longer vacation is definitely in my future!!
Hey Laurie, My take on your list - 1 - everyone has a story - listen 2- social media causes interpersonal problems 5- generational differences create hurdles / earn it you aren't entitled / we should help them get there not give it to them 6 AMEN some leaders I would have followed thru Hell, some I wish - well, you know 7- true BUT be as good as your word and 14- Hopefully we leave some good from our efforts, I know the good leaders I have had have. Seen a lot in my career but it really comes down to treat others the way you want to be treated, fair, honest, and straight forward. Good read. Take care
I love this so much and thank you so much for sharing! I really just love realizing that enjoying the simple things sometimes is the best! Also recognizing that what is important and fun to you may not be everyone else's fun on the on the trip. “Do we get to keep these toiletries?” was my favorite!!!! :):) Glad you had a great time and got to spend it with your family!
I very much resonate with lesson no 3! Thank you Laurie
I think the part that you might have missed in their top 5 things, some of which were not "Italian" or even different from home, all of them happened with you, both of you. And i think that is what they will remember too. And you've got tons of photos that will remind them of what the Sistine Chapel looked like - then they might remember what it sounded like or smelled like. Oh- and i agree with you 100% about sleep!
LOTS of great take-aways from this post! Thank you for posting! I especially love "slow down to speed up". That's a keeper!
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the not getting enough rest to be at my best. definitely need to get more quality sleep and make that a priority
It really is hard to narrow down the 3 lessons into one because they are all so interconnected. You need to give your mind and body THE TIME to relax SO THAT you can enjoy the SIMPLE THINGS, including REST. I enjoyed that lesson as a whole. I will take that lesson with me on my next vacation (or staycation). As always, thank you Laurie for your candor and for sharing your own lessons with others so that we too can benefit.
Great information and reminders
Laurie, Thank you for sharing your trip and these nuggets. The lessons that resonate most with me are it does take time to relax and getting proper rest. When you devote 15 plus hours of your day for work, taking care of home and others; the 6-7 hours you lay down does not cut it! For me during this time I'm trying to unwind and find myself thinking fighting not to think about what I have to do tomorrow. Even after I create a to do list for the next day...I find things I need to add. Taking a day off here and there doesn't cut it as well because of all the plans you have for that day. I try to make sure my Mental Health Days remains just that.... time for me to laugh, cry, scream.... whatever I need to release the cares and stress!
Really enjoyed the article... and all very true!
Since I was already well aware of #1 (I'm in the same boat with taking a long time to relax), I think I'm resonating most with #3. I'm learning to prioritize sleep / rest and it's been wonderful. Love that you said "I love sleep.". :)
Welcome back from vacation. Well deserve! Action is the key to success. Shoulder to shoulder, coaching and delegating task to help other employees grow are very important. It is a sacrifice that one must do. Forget about yourself and be with your team day in and out to help them grow, is not always easy. On the long run, your team is stronger, and you can depend on them for the success of the organization. Thank you so much!
So many great tips here, thank you!
I am so impressed you're able to disconnect and these are great tips I'll be sure to try on my next trip!
Such a great post - so inspiring!