I was recycling through some of my blog posts from the last few years on our Job Search Blog and came across one of my favorite on networking – extolling those who should be aggressively networking to stop being a “Fraidy-Cat”.
The message is still timely – especially for Vistage/TEC Chairs looking to add CEO members to their group. Networking and the subsequent generation of leads and referrals is a core component of successfully building and sustaining a vibrant group. Networking is “life-skill” that can be learned and refined. You don’t have to be born a natural networker to master networking.
Here is the original blog post:
Let’s continue to explore why Networking Fails or sometimes isn’t even given a chance to succeed or fail. What do you have to fear from networking?
What deep-seated psychological flaw exists that prevents you from reaching out and connecting with others?
Let’s spend a moment defining what networking is:
Helping others reach their goals
Being a “connector” to put people together who will mutually benefit from the relationship
Providing your network with content and information they will find useful.
Asking others how you can help them
What do you think are some other elements of networking that I’ve missed?
Now let’s return to our blog title: Why are we being a “fraidy-cat” when it comes to networking. What’s holding us back?
Do we not know what to do or where to start?
Are we missing the proper tools to be effective?
Is the value of networking to generic and ambiguous to invest the time?
Are you afraid of rejection, humiliation, and other forms of imagined embarrassment?
Let’s start conquering these fears right now!
Networking is a “life-trait” whether you’re 22 or 62. Once you become a master networker, you’ll be stunned at the value that comes from the giving and receiving that occurs through natural networking. (sounds like a great book topic – I’ll put that one in line with the other 40 book topics swirling around in my head).
If you’re not a networking master yet, you will be if you stick with reading this blog and executing the simple steps we recommend.
Step 1 in your journey to becoming a networking master: Learn as much as you can about networking. Imagine you’re taking the most important class of your life – the type of class that will help you find career success, increase your income, build your friendships, and provide a safety net for all of life’s curveballs that continually get thrown at you.
Read our book on job search, especially the chapter on networking. Listen to our FREE Audio Broadcasts on Networking from our Internet Radio Talk Show. Subscribe through the RSS feed to this blog so you don’t miss a single issue. Join our Job Search Networking Group on LinkedIn to learn from other networking masters. (There are some good tips, tactics, and hints in the section on Networking that extends beyond a job seeker and could actually benefit a Vistage/TEC Chair looking to find potential members).
Devour every resource you can, books, tapes, podcasts, blogs on the subject of networking. Practice the things you’re most comfortable doing. Make a lifelong commitment to learning as much as you can about networking.
Barry Deutsch
