Networking. We all want to be good at it, but how?
Is it a natural skill that I either have or don’t have? Of course not. Networking is a skill that can be developed. Just like public speaking, carpentry, or sales, it’s something that we can all work at to be better and be more effective with it.
They say to be a Professional at something, you must spend 10,000 hours doing that task. Due to my profession, opportunities I’ve had and simply the sheer joy I get from working with other people, I would consider myself a professional networker. Now, that’s not a bragging thing. I’ve simply identified what I love to do. Of the MILLIONS of things that we can be good at on planet earth, this is simply mine. I’m not a great baker (my mom is), I’m a pretty good craftsman (my dad is better), I’m a terrible spreadsheet analyst (my wife is incredible), but I know I’m a great networker. But more than that, I desire to help YOU become a GREAT networker. I know that if you apply yourself to getting better at networking and connecting more authentically with others, you will become a GREAT networker.
There are people that may naturally be better at it than others, just like there are those that are naturally better at sports, cooking, or anything else that requires skill. But that doesn’t eliminate everyone else’s ability to improve and learn.
All of us want to get better at networking for our own reasons. For some, your job may depend on it. Your ability to network with others will determine the effectiveness of your job. For others, your networking abilities may be directly tied to how much you bring in financially. You need to be able to network with others to close sales, land potential clients and more. And maybe for others, you simply desire to connect with others on a deeper level, not just a swap of a business card or a phone contact.
A mentor of mine says it this way, “Your resources are in your relationships.” When we, or others around us need a resource, we will often find it in our relationships. There is something other’s have that you need. But guess what? There’s something you have that other people need. People need your business, your friendship, and your network. Our ability to connect with people and connect people to others will determine our network.
I’ve heard it said that your NET WORK determines your NET WORTH. That’s a great way to say, your ability to connect and network with others is directly tied to how much money you make. In sales, our ability to connect with others and build a network is almost a nonnegotiable of the job. It goes hand in hand. In banking and other industries, your ability to network (verb) and build a network (noun) will ultimately bring in new clients and grow the business.
But for many of us, money isn’t the driver nor is it the end goal. Connecting with others is. Maybe you work for a non-profit and connecting with business owners and city leaders is a goal for you. Possibly you work in a local church, and your desire is to connect with people better. Whatever your desire, my hope is to help you understand networking, and how to do it more effectively.
If you haven’t yet thought about WHY you desire to get better at networking, can I recommend an idea? Make networking your goal in order to add value to people. If your desire to network is to make more money, close more deals, or meet a famous person, it ultimately won’t be that effective. It may cause us to hustle for a time, or a season, but ultimately it’s not a lasting cause.
When we see networking as our opportunity to add value to others and see our friends succeed, those things will ultimately pay greater dividends than if we set out to see ourselves win. Don’t network for the sake of climbing a proverbial mountain. Network with the goal of helping others reach the top of that so called mountain.
If we focus on adding value to others, networking will be easier, less stressful, and more authentic.
Throughout the videos I produce, blogs I write, and content I create, my desire is to see you connect with others more effectively and authentically, grow your network, and add value to to people.
If this is something that entices you, get ready. I have much more content to bring in the future and I’m excited to release it to you. If you want to follow along, subscribe and you’ll know about every post as soon as it’s released!
David Urzi 