Admit it. You hate networking.
Though you know you should.
You realize that it’s all about who you know.
If you are one of those people to whom the idea of a networking event sounds like nails on a chalkboard, welcome to the club.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, CEO, solopreneur, store owner, secretary or lifeguard (ok, there may be a few more possibilities, but it’ll be true for you too), knowing people is ALWAYS important.
But here’s the deal. It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you. And how they know you. And what they know about you.
So if you want to be a leader, change the world, make some really nice profit along the way and feel like you are jammin’, you always have to be on the relationship building train.
But that’s the point; build actual relationships. Build your community of people who you actually want to hang out with. People who support, inspire and challenge you and people who you support, inspire and challenge.
Some of them will be your clients, your peers, your coworkers, your friends and some will be people you really want to know because you already know what they can bring to your growth.
The secret is to always be on the lookout for how you can show up for others. How can you help? How can you contribute? Give and then give some more. That’s the best relationship building you can possibly do. Always ask: how can I be of service? It’s not about you, it’s about them. And if this is the way you approach relationship building, you can only be authentic. Because nobody wants to contribute and show up for people they don’t genuinely like.
So for you to get out, get to know more people and build the community and culture that you want to live in that helps you grow your career, I give you this challenge:
Figure out what you really like to do and then do it.
What events do you like to go to?
I love music festivals and interesting conferences. How about you?
And then start going.
And start talking to people you wouldn’t ordinarily talk to. Don’t talk about yourself, talk about them! Ask them questions and get genuinely curious--even if you’d never have talked to this person in “the real world”.
That’s how I’ve met some of the most interesting people and have built some of the most beneficial relationships ever. That’s how I’ve built my community of people who are like family.
Being a leader is the key to making great profit AND changing the world. But you have to start with building community :)
Happy connecting!
~Simone