Unleash Your Potential #9 - Networking

Douglas: Welcome to the Unleash Your Potential Blog, what question can I answer for you today?

LifeLever: What can I do to improve my networking skills? 

Douglas: What an interesting question! As someone who frequently displays introverted traits, I do not practice these skills as often as others, or as often as I should. However, answering your question allows me to refresh my knowledge base too!

A network is a group of interconnected people or things. The brain is a network of neurons. The central nervous system is a network of nerves. The US rail system is a network of railroad tracks. With the advent of computers, the idea of a network allowed independent computers to share information. And then in the 1980s, we began to see the concept of social networking became a commonplace term referring to how people become interconnected to exchange information and develop contacts.

For many of us, networking is central to our social interactions, both personal and professional. Between the smorgasbord of social media options and the variety of networking events, there are certainly lots of options to engage in networking.

Now onto your question. How to improve your networking skills. The way to improve your skills is by practicing. As a lifelong musician and teacher, I can tell you that in any field practice is the key to improvement. However, I don’t think that is the question you are looking to have answered. What I suspect you are looking for are concrete strategies. While there are no absolutes, here are some skills I have seen work.

Networking 101

• Build relationships – part of networking is developing relationships. In a productive relationship, there is a give and take. When you build relationships with people keep in mind how you can help them, AND how they can help you. Re-evaluate relationships that don’t provide both.

• Maintain contact – In the muscular system, when we don’t use a muscle it atrophies. In the brain, pathways that aren’t used become less efficient. The same is true with our social network. Even if it is just a check-in, it is important to stay in contact with the people in your network.

• Manage expectations – Don’t engage in a new relationship with unrealistic expectations. Go in with a desire to meet people and make connections. You never know which connections will be important and when. If you place too much emphasis on any one connection, you give up your control.

• Develop an Elevator Pitch – An elevator pitch is a 30-second narrative that tells the other person who you are in a nutshell. In the business world, this is a quick way to share what you do and why someone else should want to know you. In the personal world, it is a way for you to engage people quickly to establish a connection.

Remember, that these skills help improve your networking, but they are much less useful if they are not practiced. You have to engage these skills in real situations to truly get better. Join a group where you can practice (there is a MeetUp group for just about everything these days). Attend a networking event for your industry. Go to a company picnic. Make it a point to seek out situations to practice these skills.

I hope my answer sheds some light on your question. If you want to dig into this concept further, I encourage you to reach out and set up a conversation. In the meantime, check back tomorrow for the next question in the Unleash Your Potential Series!

Be Well!

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