Nurturing Your Network – Becoming a Helpful Farmer that Plants Seeds for Tomorrow
Are you comfortable asking a favor of someone you worked with 27 years ago?
How about someone you knew at a summer camp in 1968?
What about asking a friend of a friend that you met once in an airport lobby for less than ten minutes?
Would they help you if they can? Can you even find them?
I’m working with my younger daughter Fanny on a special project and have contacted more than a dozen people on my network.
They each had subject matter expertise that could be valuable, but more importantly – they had a different network than me. And I thought they might make the connection my daughter needed for her work through them.
Everyone responded and offered to help; some of their advice and recommendations were like ripe fruit, just waiting to be plucked. I’m so grateful for the conversations each has provided to me.
Daily Ritual of Nurturing Your Network via LinkedIn
I have been practicing a daily ritual for about 35 years.
Most days of the week, I meet someone new.
Whether in-person at a coffee shop, informally at a conference, or via Zoom – I connect with them on LinkedIn within 24 hours of being introduced.
“Hey Jane, I enjoyed listening to your comments on the call with Acme Widgets yesterday. Your insights inspired me to rethink some of my assumptions about the project. Care to connect via LinkedIn? “
In my request to connect, I document a note summarizing how and where we met.
I get connected more than 90% of the time to that person.
And then, over the first year, I offer to help them when I see them post online or if I know they work where a connection could assist them.
This garden of opportunity has fed me for decades. It has nourished my marketing consulting business, but more importantly, it has been a confluence of connection for others.
Daily connection is the single most crucial business advice I give.
Many people, especially those much younger, don’t understand and appreciate how that connection can be helpful in the future.
My game plan has always been to give and give some more without asking for anything in return. Read Adam Grants Give & Take to understand this topic deeply. I have always tried to help others without the promise or expectation of something in return. I feel grateful when there is a return of favor, but not like a debt was paid.
I am careful asking for help.
I limit it and want to ensure I have built up what my friend Mike Schall calls a balance sheet of human equity.
Why Nurture Connections?
Strengthening Relationships: You build more substantial and meaningful relationships by offering assistance and support to others in your network. This can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities you may not have otherwise encountered.
Expanding Your Network: When you help someone in your LinkedIn network, they are likely to remember your kindness and be more inclined to introduce you to others in their network who may be valuable connections. This expands your reach and opens doors to new opportunities.
Personal Growth and Learning: Assisting others often requires sharing your knowledge, expertise, and insights. In doing so, you deepen your understanding and develop your skills further. Teaching and mentoring others can be a powerful way to nurture your growth.
Enhanced Reputation: Consistently helping and adding value to your network establishes you as a reliable and trusted professional. This can improve your reputation and increase your visibility within your industry or field, potentially leading to new career prospects or advancements.
Reciprocity and Support: When you help others, they are more likely to reciprocate and offer their support in return when you need it. By nurturing a supportive community within your LinkedIn network, you create an environment where people are willing to lend a hand and contribute to each other’s success. Read about Robert Cialdini’s important work on the law of reciprocity here.
Nourishing the Future, Nurturing Your Network
To nurture future needs within your LinkedIn network, consider the following advice:
Be Proactive: Actively seek out opportunities to help others within your network. Engage in conversations, help, and share valuable resources or insights whenever possible.
Listen and Understand: Take the time to understand the needs and challenges of the individuals in your network. By listening attentively, you can offer more relevant and meaningful assistance that aligns with their specific requirements.
Share Knowledge and Expertise: Be generous in sharing your knowledge and expertise with others. Write informative articles, create engaging content, and participate in discussions to showcase your knowledge and provide value to your network.
Connect People: Identify opportunities to connect individuals within your network who could benefit from collaborating or working together. Playing the connector role strengthens your relationships with both parties and fosters a supportive community.
Follow Up and Stay Engaged: After aiding, follow up with the individuals in your network to check on their progress and offer additional support if needed. Stay engaged by regularly interacting with your connections, celebrating their achievements, and offering congratulations or encouragement.
The most valuable career advice takes five words.
How can I help you?
“You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want”
Zig Ziglar
You can set up a time to chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com Call me. 919 720 0995. The conversation is free, and we can explore if working together makes sense. Watch a short video about working with me.
Photo by Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash
