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March Madness &
Networking
My favorite time of year has
begun!! With each tip off, March Madness offers a basketball fan an intense
month of spectacular games, buzzer beaters, heartbreak and victory!! Grown men
can hi-five, cry and embrace without the need for a constitutional amendment!
We cheer for our team as well as those underdogs who are out matched in talent
and skill by their opponent
yet against all odds some manage to win!!
I often wonder how? As I have grown
older, I realized these winning teams possess and play with two dominant
forces: HEART & ATTITUDE.
I view the art of networking in much
the same way. Regardless of the Title on your card, Market Cap of your company
or even your own Shyness building relationships with others at its very core
is about HEART & ATTITUDE.
In March, these men and women play
with HEART as though every minute could be their last, they leave everything out
there on the court. They play through pain, injury and sickness, refusing to
yield or let their teammates down. They sacrifice of themselves for the team.
To have the HEART for networking,
you must always be sincere and genuine in your motives. Strive to help others
and not yourself. Time and again I have seen my peers networking by the
following: Walk up to someone they dont know, shake their hand, proceed to
inform this new person of what they do, then ask for a project or referral. Upon
not receiving any reward for their time, they hand out their card and move on to
the next person to repeat the dialogue.
This cycle of seeking immediate
gratification is the antithesis of effective and proper networking. Networking
is NOT, for those of you just scanning let me repeat NETWORKING IS NOT about
immediate gratification. This may be a radical paradigm shift, but focus on the
other person NOT yourself. Ask how you can help them achieve their
career and personal goals. Relationships must be earned and cultivated. Dont
join a non-profit board simply to get face time with a CEO nor place your cards
at everyones seat during a dinner fundraiser. Such motives are transparent to
others. Join and do those things you believe in passionately follow your
HEART. Give of your time and energy to help others. Leave every networking
event with the feeling you have just connected others together and helped them
advance in their career or community. Reflect back in your life when others
have reached out to help you - didnt you eagerly want to return the favor and
help them? Now get out there and foster such sentiments in everyone you come
across.
I love the swagger of March Madness,
regardless if a team is undefeated or barely squeaked into the final field of
65, they each jog into the arena confident and positive. Maintaining this
ATTITUDE over the next 40 minutes often determines who survives to play again.
Every time you step off the elevator
into a networking opportunity you must bring the right ATTITUDE into the room.
Much of the attitude starts with preparing yourself, wear something you like and
believe you look good in, be it a new jacket, favorite pair of shoes or pleasing
cologne. I fancy my modern watch that always seems to be a topic of
conversation. When you feel good you are more relaxed.
Smile! Forget the problems at the
office or home and smile not only with your mouth but in your eyes! Let
everyone see you are excited to be here. Make sure you have glanced in the
mirror to remove any remnants of lunch and have a mint! Fresh breath and a
fresh smile, you may even get your own commercial! Most importantly, be
CONFIDENT. Know that you bring with you a wealth of contacts and the ability to
connect people together. Be assured there are people here that you can help.
Just as every team plays to win, so should you. Be the coach, introducing
people you know to others and suggesting a common bond be it a mutual hobby,
school or business connection.
Lastly, play with NO FEAR. Its
perfectly normal and expected to be nervous and shy, but fight through the
discomfort and anxiety, on your path to success. Go forth and network with HEART
& ATTITUDE. And remember to root for the underdog
tis the
season of Champions!
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