Revolutionizing Networking: Unveiling Harsh Truths and Crafting 5 Strategies for Meaningful Connections in Your Industry
Networking is dead.
In my recent job search, the reality hit hard
Most people avoid helping strangers.
You can’t blame them, they don’t know you. They also can’t hold the weight of trying to impress their boss with a stranger who might burn their corporation to bits. This surface-level observation holds more weight than we imagine.
Networking revolves around transactional relationships with a focus on exploiting potential business opportunities.
When someone “wants” something from another person, this results in a fake ass relationship.
If you want a job, you better be “buddy-buddy” with the recruiter.
Do you want a promotion??
You better “network” with Stacy from HR.
But here's the pivot.
There’s something better than a “network.”
Relationships.
Relationships are the crux of success both in business and in life.
No more merely networking; let's start building relationships.
Here are 7 actionable ways to make the shift
Shift Your Frame.
Move away from viewing interactions as networking. That’s so pedestrian.
It’s the 21st century, 15-year-olds are making millions of dollars. It’s time to throw the mask off and build genuine connections. That success in today’s world.
It's about going beyond the surface and investing time in understanding people on a deeper level.
This will serve you greatly when you are in difficult situations and need someone.
A developed relationship surmounts a “network connection” any day of the week
Personalize
To make meaningful connections, add personal flair. Nobody likes bland people.
And if you play the role so that you “stay off-radar.”
Stop if you want any real success.
People are scared to introduce personal dialogue in business because it presumes “unprofessional.”
Unprofessionalism is going into business with someone that you don’t know. So many companies fail because the partners can never see each other. Don’t be that person.
Invest time to understand people. Understand where they’re coming from.
What they like, distaste-what they need more of.
Then accommodate accordingly.
You can start small and ask about their family. You don’t need to know their Blood Type.
This is the start of growth
It's the key to establishing connections that transcend the transactional.
Value First
Gifts are a way of life.
The Romans shower their friends with gifts.
Look what they built.
Also destroyed as a result of too many gifts, but look what they built!
Flip the script by prioritizing giving over receiving.
Offer value to others before seeking any in return. This shows you can be trusted and aren’t looking for anything. In the future when you need something, this comes in handy.
Lay the groundwork for a network built on trust and reciprocity.
Embrace similarities
A surefire way to break the ice quickly is figuring out what you both enjoy.
Maybe you both enjoy hockey.
Maybe go to a bar and watch an ice hockey game
Then go to a game together. Bang on the glass a couple of times as you watch people slap wooden sticks at a dude in a mask.
Next thing you know you guys exit at $350 Million.
See! Easy.
Fostering purposeful collaboration makes life enjoyable. If you can’t find anything in common, please don’t waste your energy, it won’t be good in the future.
Celebrate Others' Success as Your Own
In a genuine relationship, success is not a zero-sum game.
Celebrate the achievements of others as enthusiastically as you would your own. This not only provides you with 2x happiness but the admiration from the other person.
They appreciate that. They will appreciate you.
By personalizing interactions, offering value first, and actively creating a community you know have a tribe you can count on.
The rest will take care of itself
Cheers to building genuine connections!