Which phrase do you associate with networking?
“Meeting new, fun people” or
“Making awkward conversation with strangers”
It isn’t an epiphany to say that some people do not like networking. Add to that a (sometimes) undeserved reputation that networkers are self-centered, in-it-for me types and you have an activity that few want to participate in.
BUT what if networking was something different? What if it was a way for you to help others and thus help yourself? What if you started networking with the mindset of giving to others and helping connect the right people? Would the job search/ladder climbing odds be every in your favor?
Yes those odds would be in your favor thanks to the law of reciprocity says David Bradford in his new book Up Your Game (full disclosure: I was sent a free copy of the book). In Up Your Game David lays out six principles for changing your perspective on networking and building relationships. These are principles he learned throughout his life, starting as a kid who collected bottle caps to the CEO of HireVue. The six principles are simple:
#1 – Start Up – Realize that successful non-sleazy networking is about giving.
#2 – Show Up – To impact people’s lives you have to show up: give the presentation you are hesitant to give, attend the meeting; shake the hands, etc;
#3 – Follow Up – Enough said.
#4 – Link Up – Make efforts to connect with all kinds of people, not just the ones you need or think you will need.
#5 – Stand Up – Be credible. Act in an ethical fashion. Do what you say you will.
#6 – Scale Up – Work hard on networking every day. Your to-do list should reflect that, even if it only includes a LinkedIn message to congratulate a connection on a promotion.
What I didn’t like about the book:
There is a lot of storytelling. To illustrate his principles, David tells a ton of interesting stories about his own career to illustrate his principles but there are a lot of other stories that continue to illustrate the principle (woodcutters and King Henry VII) that aren’t always necessary.
What I liked about the book:
David devotes an entire chapter to social media. He illustrates how social media should be used with networking to expand networks beyond the traditional boundaries. I’ve been to quite a few presentations where people are pushing social media but there is never enough emphasis that it is simply a tool, not a replacement for getting out there and meeting people face-to-face.
Relationships matter. That is the crux of David’s book and one that many of us tend to forget. When I read this book I thought of two people who are actually great networkers but I’ve never thought of them as networkers because they are simply building relationships and connecting people. David’s book is one for those who truly care about people, building relationships and connecting others.
If you are looking for practical and personal information on relationship building, check out this book, it is definitely not your typical networking book.
Interested in more information about David’s book? Check out his Amazon page.