The Importance of Connections

Recently, I have helped several people make job changes. In all cases, they had one thing in common: They were able to leverage their connections to secure the new job. This is no surprise to me. I so strongly believe in the importance of connection that when I created my business 15 years ago, I called it “Leaders Connect”. Additionally, each month I hold a networking event, called Leaders Connect Breakfast, which we always start with active networking. Each participant has an opportunity to introduce him or herself, and to say what it is they may need or are offering.

As an example of this process, check out Part 1 of the video from last month’s Leaders Connect event.

Here are my 10 key do’s and don’ts for being successfully connected to others:

DO help those to whom you are connected
DO NOT expect reciprocity on a one to one basis. Help others without expecting that they will help you in return.
DO build your network by joining and actively participating in community and workplace groups. The key word here is ACTIVELY.
DON’T just show up. To be well connected you have to volunteer, do some work, and give back to the organization.
DO seek to be connected to a diverse group of individuals from different spheres of society and different types of work.
DO NOT hang out and only connect to people who are only like yourself
DO actively relate to others when you go to events. The best way to relate is to show interest in the other person by asking meaningful questions.
DO NOT only talk about yourself. An elevator speech is fine, but it is more powerful to show interest in the other people at the event.
DO keep in touch with your friends, family, and colleagues on a regular basis.
DO NOT rely on email to stay connected. Set up times for coffee, drinks, or lunch, hang out at places where you are likely to run into your network, and pick up the phone.

Remember, at every level of life, the living world works through cooperation. We are all interconnected and interdependent.

Please feel free to share your feedback with me in the comments section below.

If you’d like to see the video of last month’s highly informative Leaders Connect Breakfast with Gary Magenta, please click HERE. (Thanks to Roger Rayle for making these videos possible!)