Ever heard of networking? Of course, you have. Do you participate in this activity? Yeah, I mean, when you hear about a car for sale, do you text your friend who’s looking for a car? If you stumble across a great recipe, bit of advice, book marketing idea, good editor, etc., do you automatically share it with someone who might benefit?
Or do you just take from those who are good networkers—who are thoughtful and who reach out when they have something to share?
Networking—in order to be successful—is a give and take proposition. You probably have friends and colleagues who constantly or even occasionally send you something they think might interest you. What a gift! You may not use everything they send your way, but those bits of information and recommendations you do use to make your life easier, to move your career forward, etc., are priceless—wouldn’t you say?
Do you adequately acknowledge and thank those people who have your back—who think of you often—who share, share, share? You should. I should. Sometimes we get busy and don’t give appropriate thanks. With that in mind, I want to publicly thank my friend and colleague, Sandy for being such a great networker. She is constantly bringing something to my attention. And I’m pretty sure that I do not adequately thank you. She also always lets me know when I’ve posted a blog without crossing all of my t’s. Thank you Sandy. I really do appreciate you!!!
Now, let’s discuss the other part to networking. It’s called “giving.” This, for some, is hard. It means that when something crosses your desk or your path that you think might benefit someone else, the generous thing to do is to pass it on. Share. Give. Do something selfless. Think of someone else. Take time out to give back. Pay it forward. Yes, while Sandy and certainly others give to me, I might discover a great resource or idea for someone else I know. It’s okay—in fact, recommended—that one networks outside of his or her circle.
I remember, as a child, waiting near the mailbox in case the mailman would bring me a letter. My mother finally told me, the best way to receive a letter is to write one. It’s the same with networking. You’re more apt to receive help, advice, information, useful resources, etc. when you are in the habit of giving.
But don’t give with expectations. Oh, now there’s the downfall of the system right there. Thinking, “Well, I’m not passing this along to Derek because he never thanked me the last time I sent him a potential new client,” is counter-productive. No, no, no. Give without stipulations and without expectations. Just give. Be openly thankful. You will get something back immediately. Giving makes us feel good—don’t you think?
Today, consider looking for ways to give and just see what gifts you get in return.