Networking Then and Now
~300 words. 2 minute read.
Have you ever been on the receiving end of a networking request that felt insincere? Manipulative even? Did you feel that it was not ‘legit’?
Three thoughts:
Networking is a professional (and personal) artform used to expand channels and resources, ideally promoting mutual benefits. Recognizing that mutual benefit often results in increased availability, willingness to meet outside of regular business hours, sharing of other resources, voluntarily multiplying connections for each other, etc. It is based on the mindset that giving begets receiving, best served without a schedule or expectation.
Networking does not feel good when it is tied to the expectation of favors that are based on nothing other than the connection itself – an expectation based on a ‘good relationship’ frequently takes the ‘good’ out of that relationship (unless a long history of mutual giving precedes it).
Whether or not a networking request is manipulative or legitimate hinges on the transparency of the intent and whether I can detect that ‘giving mindset’. (That’s why it’s an artform, not a science).
For me, networking enhances communication opportunities, created by the fact that we all enjoy talking to people who are interesting to us, who are genuine and transparent.
Fun fact: Harvey Mackay’s book was published in 1997. Twenty-five years ago, rolodexes and business cards were the networking tools of choice (maybe birthday cards, too). How times have changed!
