Authenticity
Be yourself. People will quickly see through your mask otherwise.
It's too easy to succumb to pressure to portray the image of a successful, confident individual. There are certainly times and places where it's right to share your successes and others where it's important not to show weakness, but at all times you should be true to yourself.
People soon recognise when you're putting on an act and they'll quickly lose respect for you. A strong network include people you feel safe confiding in and turning to for help. Such trust is often repaid in spades.
Ignore advice, like the recent Schumpeter column in The Economist, that encourages you to flatter others and fake an interest in them. Be naturally interested and they will be interested in you.
Asking - successful networking is built on developing strong relationships, giving to your network and connecting people. But ultimately, if you lay the right foundations, you have a network who will want to support you.
But you need to ask. Don't simply assume that people will know when to help you and how. If you have built strong relationships and know that your network is happy to help, make it easy for them to do so. Ask for help when you need it and be clear and specific about the help you need.
Don't let fears about being a burden or looking vulnerable hold you back. As long as you ask someone with whom you have a strong relationship, they will be more likely to get pleasure from helping you rather than be annoyed. And if you frame the question well you can look strong, rather than weak.
A is also for...
Stop those eyes from wandering! Give your full attention to the person opposite you. People are interested in people who are interested in them.
Attendance
If you're a member of a networking group don't expect results without showing up. You need to be present and to commit to the group and its members.
Altruism and Advocacy Seek to help, promote and connect others without expectation of instant, or direct, return. Appreciation and Acknowledgment
Don't let people in your network feel as though you take them for granted. You'll soon see the back of them.
Attitude
Be positive in how you interact with your network, especially when posting online late at night!
With thanks for Heather Townsend, Michael Birchmore, David Karen, Paul Strong, Nigel Risner, Will Kintish, Michelle Brailsford, Arvind Devalia, Kevin Arrow, Bernie Wales, Andy Preston, Rory Murray, Jo Simpson, Kap Varma, Steve Jones, Susan RoAne, Ian Steel, Phil Williams, Martin Goodyer, Brian Butcher, Matt Purser, Andrew Wilcox, Keith Stoddart, Mark Lee, Terry Brock, John Jameson, Mike Gordon, Claire Boyles, Mary Collin, Richard Carman and Marcus Cauchi for your input on Facebook and Twitter.
For next time....What are your networking 'B's? |
