Networking: Giving to Give

Have you been approached at a networking event by someone who onlytalked about himself and seemed eager to thrust information intoyour hands about his business? He didn't ask anything at all aboutyou or your business.

How did you react? If you're like most people, you took a stepback, either literally or figuratively. Why? Because he wastrying to take from you without giving anything in return.
Contrast that behavior with the person who asked a lot of questionsabout you and seemed genuinely interested in what you had to say.When you mentioned that you were moving, she asked if you wantedthe name of a good moving company (not a company that she isconnected to or gains any benefit from).

How did you react to that person? If you're like most people, youfelt a genuine connection and wanted to get to know her better.

All too often, people approach networking events with the mindsetof "What can I get from this event or from the people I meetthere"? They are either completely focused on themselves and theirneeds or they are thinking about how they can do something thatwill be of mutual benefit to them and the other party (you dosomething for me and I'll do something for you).

Effective networkers, however, are not concerned about what theywill get. They are focused on other people and are thinking aboutwhat they can give to them, regardless of whether they will getanything in return. They approach networking and life with anattitude of abundance, knowing that the more they give, the morethey will receive.

Our challenge is for you to attend your next networking eventfocused only on other people and finding ways to meet their needs.