#6 Networking connections, not casual introductions
The older I get the less patience I have for disingenuous people. If I had developed this preference for sincerity and authentic connections earlier in life I am certain my progression throughout my career and into entrepreneurship would have been much smoother.
There are still people I hear from only when they need something, or only when they are detracting energy, but those contacts have diminished greatly and continue to do so. Energy is limited and I want to give my energy to the people in my life who generate energy, who reciprocate and who give care and interest in return.
Reciprocal relationships
Reciprocal relationships are the strongest connections we can make, online or offline, relationships of mutual action, and return. They are also the most beneficial and the most rewarding relationships we can make. They can bring a constant exchange of ideas and information, care, and support.
Long-term meaningful connections with people we are genuinely interested in, people we want to know a year, two years, five years, or ten years from now are the ones that we should be striving to connect with. This is possible even on LinkedIn, in fact, more so on LinkedIn where we often get requests from people who are just connecting for short-term benefit and sales. One way relationships are exhausting, even virtually.
Doing something for other people without any expectations of favour or return is invaluable. However, connections who repeatedly ask for introductions, favours, roles, recommendations, taking your energy without offering anything in return or adding value in return is just not cool.
Ask not what they can do for you but what you can do for them. (Thanks for the inspiration JFK)
Before you ask for a favour from your new connections, ask what you can do for them. Offer them value using your own expertise and your network. On LinkedIn, you can like and comment on their posts, share their articles, and promote their (virtual) events and/or organizations.
Genuine introductions
Once you have meaningful connections, you can expand your networks by expanding their networks. Think about introducing them to relevant connections from your network. A few cautions and tips for when you are introducing connections on LinkedIn:
- Don’t introduce people without first having permission from both contacts to do so
- Don’t make connections between people unless there is a clear benefit or correlation in their interests
- Take time to curate these relationships, to ensure both sides gain value and give value in every relationship developed
Having said that, the satisfaction I feel when I introduce people who click, who develop a deeper relationship of their own, and create value for each other — is beyond brilliant.
These more meaningful connections are the ones that will look to bolster each other, that will support us through the tough times, and will continue to fight the good fight to ensure we and our businesses survive.
Aim for reciprocal relationships. Aim for genuine connections.
And this will come back to you tenfold.
Networking tips and tools on this feature page. Feel free to ask questions or share your own thoughts and concerns as I share mine.
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