COFFEE, LEMONADE or HAM 'n EGGS

...The Path to a Better Network

Years ago my face became recognizable to folks in the region due to weekly guest appearances on the local "News at 5" hour with the station's anchor.  It was a great time, a lot of fun but also a commitment that I was unable to continue after several years.

After a while though, one thing about it that un-nerved me, from time to time, was that frequently walking through airports, be that Chicago, Minneapolis or Atlanta, someone from the 'Hometown' would recognize me and approach as if we were best of friends. The same thing would happen in the local hardware store. Admittedly, at times this just out-and-out spooked me!

THE LEARNING CURVE

As we all work at trying to adapt to this worldwide networking experience, we find ourselves wondering about the up and downside as we learn. My LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook pages all include a personal photo. With the former experience in mind this was something that didn't come easy. Then again, it was obvious that if there was any possibility of turning these virtual relationships into meaningful, trusted relationships as one LinkedIn 'guru', Wayne Breitbarth www.linkedin.com/in/waynebreitbarth suggests, those I hadn't yet met, but intended to, would have to be able to put a face to the name.

Breitbarth has a good amount of advice relative to building a network of folks you know and carefully selecting those you don't really know as those you may or may not decide to have in your network. His book, The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success, is on my recommended reading list.

Bear with me for a moment, I'll connect some of these dots in a bit.

CONNECT THE DOTS - WITH PURPOSE

Joe Sweeney, the author of Networking Is a Contact Sport, http://www.allstarnetworkinggym.com/, among a great many other things he lives by and teaches as a basic tenet is that networking must be an exercise in giving rather than receiving. Of all the insightful things Joe shares in this book and his webinars, this idea turns the old notion of attending Chamber of Commerce  'After-5 Meet 'n Greets' to build a professional network on end.

This morning, as I decided to do every morning of late, is to spend "A Minute with Maxwell." John Maxwell just gets a minute of the sixty I spend perusing the latest from a vast network of great thinkers, friends, and those connecting with one another. Today's "AMWM"  inspired this blog, for a number of reasons. http://johnmaxwellteam.com/connection-2/ 

WHY SHOULD I?

Some time ago, it occurred to me that in order to really be able to create value for others along this networking path, it wouldn't make the most sense to send a bunch of people I may not know the default "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn." The primary reason why was that being the recipient of such left me asking the question, "Why should I?"

Two things came to mind that would be incorporated in my efforts, 1.) When I came across someone I did not know but would like to get to know, if only by way of LinkedIn for instance, the default available was abandoned and a personal note of some sort was attached to the request instead, and 2.) When an invitation to join someone's network came my way, particularly if I didn't know the person, my choice was to send them back a note and in so many words, ask the question, "Why should I?" It was my desire to know why they sought me out, who may have suggested they get in touch and most importantly, what could we do to be of mutual assistance to one another? Those that came back with a response have come into my network, those that did not, have not.

Where it has been practical, say within a 60-mile radius, my invitation or response has included the notion that it would be a great idea if we, the human beings attempting to initiate a new relationship, would agree to meet for a cup of coffee, a mid-afternoon lemonade or ham 'n eggs. I'm telling you, this is what has changed my world as dramatically as anything. Take the virtual to reality trip yourself. I guarantee that it will enrich your life!

Returning to my concern about being recognized and thought of as a friend; it happened to me the other day on my way into an Office Depot. Someone in my network, that I hadn't had that cup of coffee with yet, greeted me as if we'd known each other for some time. The experience was gratifying this time and it reminded me that I've plenty of work to do in continuing on the path the turning this virtual world we've welcomed in many ways, into an ongoing adventure of connecting with one another for all of the reasons we'd like to think are good, very good.

Jim Naleid is a Life-long Entrepreneur, Change-Agent and Thought Leader, Managing Director of Naleid & Associates and

Regional TEC (“The Executive Committee”) Chair leading a group of executives to become Better Leaders, Making Better Decisions with Better Results. http://www.linkedin.com/in/jimnaleid