Hello,
Today I’m going to talk about tribes and networking. This comes off the back of a realisation that I have, sorry, had, a handful of people in my network who would only ever contact me when they needed something from me. To be honest, it has been a frustrating and painful realisation, that people who I thought genuinely cared, and would ensure my name was mentioned in a room I wasn’t in, actually, didn’t behave in the way I would expect and instead clambered over me to raise themselves.
Ok, I get it, it’s a competitive landscape, we all have services to sell, and mortgages to pay. However, for me, there’s a way we can win together, I’m going to explain how.
First things first, I am absolutely all for helping out those in need and do so via mentoring, coffee chats, late-night WhatsApp rants, supportive phone calls, cheerleading and of course, I’m available at an affordable, and hourly, price for anything more extensive/official.
But in return for this, there are some key things I live by:
- What we speak about, is between me and you. If there is something I’d love to share with others, I’d clarify confidentiality and ask for permission, while still keeping you anonymous.
- I don’t steal your content and pass it off as my own. Never cool.
- I don’t say anything behind your back, that I wouldn’t say to your face.
- If I’m in a room, that you’re not in, and we’re covering a topic that I know is your bag, I would be shouting about you and encouraging them to connect with you.
- If somebody asks me to quote for some work where I could give that person a 4-star output but by working with you, we could deliver 5 stars, I would be tapping you up to come and get involved.
- Sharing is caring. An event that looks good? An article that made you think? I’ll be telling you all about it.
- I want to get to know you, human you. We will change jobs, companies and job titles, but our values and how we operate, that is where the juice is.
This is because I focus on building my tribe. This approach may not work for you, and that is absolutely fine. There are different ways to network, and you will meet many different types of networkers, you have to do what fits with you, your values, and what you want to achieve. If your networking style isn’t working for you, then change it up.
Here’s an overview of the networking profiles I’ve seen over the years:
Whatever your profile, here are some tips:
- Set clear goals: Determine what you want to achieve by attending the event. This helps you stay focused and make the most of your time.
- Attending an event for the first time and feeling nervous? – ask the organisers if there is somebody you can buddy up with or see if there’s an existing connection already attending.
- Prepare your introduction: Craft a concise and engaging introduction to make a lasting first impression.
- Engage in meaningful conversations: Actively listen, ask questions, and show genuine interest in others. This helps build deeper connections and makes you more memorable.
- Follow up after the event: Send personalised emails or LinkedIn messages to continue building relationships. Mention something specific from your conversation to show that you were genuinely interested and attentive.
- Follow-up: After meeting someone, follow up with a personalised message or email. Mention something specific from your conversation to show that you were genuinely interested and attentive.
- Nurture long-term relationships: Networking isn’t just about immediate gains. Invest time in building long-term relationships by regularly checking in, sharing valuable resources, and offering support even when there’s no immediate benefit to you.
- Give before you receive: Approach networking with a mindset of giving. Offer help, share knowledge, or connect people within your network without expecting anything in return. This builds goodwill and trust.
- Cut ties: If something isn’t feeling right, don’t be afraid to take your foot off the gas, it’s ok to be honest and protect your boundaries, time and brand.
- Host or organise events: Take the initiative to host or organise networking events, workshops, or meetups. This positions you as a connector and leader within your network, and it provides opportunities to deepen relationships with multiple people at once.
- Join a networking group and attend industry-related events: Meet new people, learn about the latest developments in your field, and expand your professional network. Check-out FM Connect for regular and structured FM and Property Networking within the UK.
- LinkedIn: Like what you see? Engage with it!
What are your reflections on reading this?
Be a good human,
SFJ.
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