The Natural Networker

It has been said and demonstrated for many years that in life and the context of opportunity ‘It’s not what you know but who you know’ and yet on many occasions, I myself have often thought ‘but I don’t really know anyone in that area/field/sector’ etc.

In the past this perception has stopped me and others I know from exploring the art of networking to open new doors or source fresh opportunities. When asked their perception of networking success, people have described many varying versions of a common misconception.

Images such as powerful ‘movers and shakers’ at private members-only clubs tend to come to mind. Smokey bar’s filled with Public School ‘bods’ is another common view, albeit exaggerated somewhat. Conversely people have described quite fruitless events filled with empty conversations and prospectors operating only on their own agenda. Shame really as it can be such a powerful skill for you and others when conducted in a genuine way.

Yet what I have come to find is that venue or event is irrelevant to some extent, as networking can become second nature once you decide to truly listen, engage and take a genuine interest in other people. Seems easy? Well it does become so once you have practiced just connecting people’s needs, wishes, desires and expectations with what others have to offer in whichever way. There doesn’t always have to be a fee either.

What does this mean in practice? Each person you feel you know will have at some point discussed a need or want that they have, be that a work requirement, a personal wish or something that has emerged as a need from a change in circumstance.

For some of us, after practice, we simply engage our Network-thought-process and let our neurons do the work, after all connecting things in this way is a favourite activity of the brain already.

The ‘6 degrees of separation’ soon becomes very apparent. You will quickly find that somewhere along the chain of your family, friends, acquaintances and/or contacts lies a direct route to somebody who could influence a beneficial outcome to that requirement, need, want or desire.

I guess the first step is to put more effort into listening and questioning to understand people’s needs, want etc. That way you are more likely to match a contact much more effectively.

Happy connecting,

Angelina Foden