You will benefit professionally and personally from having other people in your network to get your work done and to thrive. As humans, we are connected human beings with emotional and rational needs. One of the biggest challenges in building a network can be figuring out who can you work with as you accomplish your goals. Clarity of who you need is every bit as important as determining who you spend your time with whether you are in a small business or work at a large company.
Before we get into the specific type of people you need to meet and how to avoid the a$$holes in your network I really want you to take a moment and decide what type of networker you are and how you show up.
There are so many different ways to network with people and I cover that in other articles.
Know yourself as a networker to build connections to accomplish your goals. It’s your point in time today!
What type of networking person are you?
Novice/Scaredy Cat Networker
You're just starting out, and that's totally fine! Remember, We have all the resources you need to boost your networking skills. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu
Emerging Connector
You've got the basics down! "Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals." - Jim Rohn
Just Rusty
You used to be a good connector but now you are wondering who to meet with and who to connect with online and you’ve lost your confidence. ! "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." -Alice Walker
Strategic Connector
You're doing great but think about it - could you be the Michelangelo of networking? "The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark." - Michelangelo
ALLSTAR Networker
Wow, you're a networking pro! You're rocking the networking world! "The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment." - Tony Robbins
What type of networker are you? And now are you ready to take a look at who you want to attract and spend time with in your network of relationships. You can start with merely 4 people and build to an ALLSTAR network of 100 people.
Here are several types of people you may need in your network.
acquaintance,
friend,
co-worker,
customer
family,
vendor,
teacher
In coaching sessions, I take the types of people you want in your network to the next level. Determine who are the people who can actually work with you and will share their time and knowledge with you or frankly exchange value.
For example:
Centers of Influence(COI’s), people who know what you do and who talk you up to other people in your desired target market.
Referral Sources, this type of relationship is one step more actionable than a COI, becuase they actually give you referrals and in an ideal state you give them referrals.
Partners/Vendors: People you do work with whom you can accomplish what you want to do and you share your resources.
Cheerleaders/Lifeline: Anyone who knows what you do and is on your team to set you up for success. (This can be COI’s, but it can also be a family member or friend.) Lifeline: The 1-2 people you call on the days when you lose your confidence and need support to remember what you are good at.
How do you avoid the assholes?
A$$holes: The person in your network or who you meet with who says they are your COI, friend or cheerleader and doesn’t deliver one thing. Often I experience this as the person who takes your time and who you think is your referral partner and deep down they are never going to do business with you as they don’t respect you or they are too caught up in themselves. An asshole can also be someone who is mean and has a bad reputation yet everyone thinks they are a successful person. It can also be someone who doesn’t respond to texts or emails or calls. Stay away from these people, they will drain you and hurt you. Unfortunately, you have to go through a few a$$holes to realize how valuable the referral partners and cheerleaders are in your network.
I didn’t want to use the word a$$hole, but lately, I’ve been feeling like a network is so precious and so much work to cultivate and maintain that a recent a$$hole in my network hurt. Life is too short to waste your time with people who don’t want to share the joys of being a referral source with you. If you are hustling for business and success don’t keep score. Keep tabs on when the balance has shifted and the people you thought were honest with you haven’t delivered. Focus on the cheerleaders and lifelines and know that your network will continue to evolve at every stage in your life.
Be positive and be a force for good and you will find the referral sources that you are meant to have in your business network.
Rock On,
Cathy Paper
Want to work on your networking skills and grow your business? Sign up for an intro call. (No a$$holes, please!)