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Networking

Which image best represents a network in your understanding? You are the green dot.

Implementation in practice

c) is correct (see explanation in the corresponding video).

If you want to build and maintain your network, it’s not about selling your ideas to as many people as possible. Networking is about winning other people over to your cause, becoming part of an idea, getting yourself on other people’s radar so that they think of you when a topic comes up. 

Those who network successfully have mastered RELATION.

R eliance
Trust in yourself and others is the foundation for successful and lasting networking.

E mpathy
People do not want to talk to you when you are trying to impose yourself. Give space to others. Ask for their opinion, take a step People do not want to talk to you when you are trying to impose yourself. Give space to others. Ask for their opinion, take a step back and let things happen. Empathy is the capacity to stay on the same eye height with another person even when you don’t agree with something.

L ove
You cannot network without unconditional love. Relations are based on emotions. If you allow emotions to happen, then the chance for connection is much higher.

A uthenticity
Be yourself! You cannot be real and credible when you play a role. Authenticity is one of the strongest drivers in networking. 

T iming

No idea is so good as a good idea at the right time. Check out whether the person you contact is available. And by availability we do not only mean physical availability but also mental willingness to enter into a subject. Only when somebody is aware and present, networking can happen. 

I nitiative

If you want to network, take initiative. People will not come and ask you for your ideas, you have to bring your ideas to people. Proactivity is one key to success.

O penness

If your idea does not have the success you were hoping for, don’t be depressed. Listen and find out what lies behind the caveat. You might find new information that allow you to reflect your idea and – if necessary – to redraft it.

N eutrality

When a good idea is rejected, that does not mean it is bad.  There might be various reason for not having a buy-in: the person is not entitled to decide, the person is not aware, the benefit for the person might not have been delivered clear enough. Find out what the reason for the rejection was and try it differently. In any case: don’t take it personally.