EP138 – Finding a True Friend (Part 2) – The Ultimate Guide to Professional Networking

The concept of “friends” in networking has evolved from a tight-knit childhood circle to a broader network with shared interests. #AdvancedQualityPrograms #TheQualityGuy #Friendship #Network

As Frida Kahlo: said …”Fall in love with yourself, with life, and then with whoever you want.”

Cultivating genuine, lasting relationships is what modern networking is all about. It extends beyond your current job, fostering a network of valuable connections that will support you throughout your career and many ventures This organic process builds relationships with potential collaborators, future employers, clients, mentors, and more.

The traditional view of networking is fading, and for good reason. The world has undergone a significant shift in the way we live, work and relate. Long-term careers with one company are becoming less common. Growth often involves moving to a new company or even starting your own venture. As a result, the concept of “friends” in networking has evolved from a tight childhood circle to a broader network with shared professional interests. Some of the reasons for this shift are:

Job Mobility: Working for a single company is less likely today than before. People’s progress often comes through lateral moves across different organizations. For that reason, building relationships throughout your industry becomes essential.

Changing Technologies: Technology facilitates the rapid dissemination of knowledge. To gain new perspectives and stay ahead of the curve, you need connections beyond your childhood circle of friends.

New Industries: There’s a growing trend of independent consultants and startups. A strong network can support your transition to self-employment, allowing you to increase your income and control your schedule.

You might wonder why you need to make new friends. You might enjoy your job and be willing to interact with your boss because it’s necessary, but other socializing feels like trying too hard, right? However, creating a lifelong network is worth the effort. The reasons might sound familiar:

There are four categories, or types, of networks that describe your friends and family:

Tribe: This is your largest network, which includes colleagues, who are part of the community where you live, anyone who shares your professional goals, and even those in different industries doing similar work.

Clan: These are individuals you interact with both socially and professionally, with whom you have a deeper connection. They might be business contacts with whom you’re also Facebook friends and attend similar events.

Superfamily: This is a smaller group of 15-20 people whom you might invite to social dinners and business events. It includes close friends, family, and their connections.

Kin: This is your core group of approximately five closest connections, typically family or best friends.

In today’s world, you need to focus on building relationships within your tribe, the broader network. As you connect with people in your tribe, some will naturally transition into your closer circles based on shared interests and deepening connections and generate opportunities to improve your life. How? Well, there are three possibilities:

Serendipity: Your friends’ network can put you in situations where unexpected opportunities arise. Chance meetings can lead to new clients or new ventures.

Continuous Learning: Even successful businesspeople keep networking because they understand that the next big opportunity could be right around the corner, and learning from one person is the way to go.

Futureproofing: Life changes constantly. Building a network now prepares you for future changes and business ventures that you might otherwise miss out on.

As we said in the previous part, we need to focus on making real connections:

Start by being curious: Ask questions and show genuine interest in people. This helps you to learn and makes you memorable. Be more interesting by being more interested.

Avoid Selling: Don’t go to networking events just to sell, as people today are very transactional. Build relationships first; if you would like to go into business, this will follow naturally.

Remember Things: Keep track of important details about people you meet to help you remember them later.

Generosity: is a powerful networking tool. One way to demonstrate it is by offering help. Think about how you can assist the person you’re talking to. Offer useful tips or introduce them to someone who can help them.

Avoid Overstepping: Refrain from trying to solve problems unless the person asks for help. Social media often suggest going full force on being an active seller. When asked, offer help; otherwise, just leverage your expertise. If you’re knowledgeable about a topic, offer advice, but always wait for the network to ask you first.

As we said in the previous episode, networking is about people. Remember, networking is about human connections. Keep it human by being empathetic, treating others the way you’d want to be treated, remembering names, and making an effort to remember people’s names and details about them. Without genuine connection, networking becomes transactional, not a friendship.

Respect boundaries: Avoid personal questions until you get to know someone better. And focus on the relationships: Think of your network as a collection of friends that can last a lifetime.

Friendship and networking are long-term strategies. Don’t focus on immediate gains. Build relationships that will provide support and opportunities for years to come. As well as you will for them, you can build a network that will sustain you throughout your career, your life situation, and beyond.

Having friends is just cool; it makes life better. Embrace the new way of networking, and you’ll find it more rewarding and enjoyable than trying to open doors with your own efforts alone.

“Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?…. Frida Kahlo.