Networking Like A Connector

This week we are excited to have this guest article by  Michelle Tillis Lederman, (www.michelletillislederman.com), author of The 11 Laws of Likability, Heroes Get Hired, and Nail The Interview, Land The Job. Michelle is the founder of Executive Essentials, a training company providing communications and leadership programs. 

What do you think of when you hear the word “networking?” Events you feel you should attend, even though you don’t want to? Initiating forced conversations with strangers? Maybe even exchanging business cards with someone, and then not knowing quite how to follow up?

It’s time to think about networking in a different way. To me, networking shouldn’t be work. I think of it as just making friends and call it “relationship networking.” In my book, The 11 Laws of Likability, I focus on the 11 Laws that you can follow to make networking a more authentic, enjoyable, beneficial experience.

Enjoyable is a start, but what is more relevant to all the business development people out there is to understand this simple fact: people do business with people they like. Research shows this holds true even if there is a better or cheaper product, the relationship wins the client.

Relationship networking is based on three mental shifts about networking:

From business to anything. Think differently about how you’re getting out there and who you’re connecting with. It doesn’t have to be all industry and recruiters; it could be a neighbor, a fellow hobbyist, or parents at your kids’ schools. This way, you already have things in common and you can leverage the Law of Similarity to strengthen the relationship.

From now to long term. This is the best part about networking during a recession. Add value to your network when they need it and it will be there for you when you need it.

From you to them. Instead of focusing on what you’re trying to get or what you need from the other person, think about what you can give. The Law of Giving is the single most important.

To practice this kind of networking you build relationships while you’re doing the things you want to do and in the places where you naturally are. It’s not about adding to your business card quota. It’s about adding value to your relationships; this is the mindset of a connector.

How anyone can network like a connector is the foundation of my next book, The Connector's Club: Why Members Get All The Perks and How To Become One. 

For this book, I want more than theory; I want data. That's where you come in! I have created a survey that is designed to help me understand the anatomy of a connector. Whether you believe you are a connector now or not, you can help. I need to hear from you (especially if you are not yet a connector). Be a part of the research by investing 10 minutes to take the survey.  I provide you a working definition in the survey. One attribute of a connector is they seek to add value to their relationships. If you want to start incorporating the behaviors of a connector into your networking, here are three easy ideas for adding value.