I often say that my hobby is collecting people. It's a fun way to say that I enjoy networking. People I know will often come to me asking if I can help them. Many times, I have to tell them that I can't but I know someone who can. I provide them with an introduction and leave the rest to them.
I met Michael J. Hughes, North America's Networking Guru, at a conference several years ago. Michael helps business professionals use networking as a business strategy and professional competency. I stay in touch with him through his newsletter and posts. I am a fan!
That's why I wanted to share his 7 characteristics of effective networkers:
1. Courageous. They always take the initiative, thereby making others more comfortable and at ease with the process. Jacqui's take: At receptions, cocktail parties, etc., be the first to introduce yourself.
2. Curious. They have developed their ability to be sincerely curious. It's an acquired skill that immediately makes others feel liked and accepted. Jacqui's take: It's not true that curiosity killed anything. In fact, it opens up wonderful opportunities to learn and discover.
3. Caring. They know that, by demonstrating they care about the other person, they create a powerful bond and build trust. Jacqui's take: You can express caring in a number of ways. One thing I like to do is share an article on a topic I know someone is interested in.
4. Skilled communicator. They allow the other person to be the centre of attention and acquire valuable information. Jacqui's take: Mostly, this means listening actively.
5. Create value. They make it a priority to discover the other person’s value, then actively seek ways to unselfishly and openly leverage that value. Jacqui's take: In addition to sharing articles, I might pass along a job opportunity too. If I am at a reception and someone joins in a conversation, I will take the opportunity to introduce people with something that might spark a conversation, e.g., "Jim, meet Barbara. Barbara, Jim is an avid golfer."
6. Consistent. They take full responsibility for moving relationships forward, recognizing the process can take weeks or even months. Jacqui's take: This is the tough one. Sometimes it feels like I keep moving forward but I don't get a lot of response. I try not to be discouraged and recognize that a relationship takes time to develop.
7. Contribution-focused. They realize that having the courage to contribute goes against the grain of our “me-first” society. Jacqui's take: While it often feels like I give more than I receive at first, I take pride in the fact that when I reach out to the people in my network for help, they respond. I attribute that to my effort to deliver value without expecting anything in return.
If you want expert advice on networking, reach out to Michael. If you need some help accessing my network or learning more about my services in leadership development, let's talk.
