Halloween is a big deal in our house. My youngest daughter’s birthday is October 29, which is always extended for several days. In fact, the celebration – honestly – doesn’t end until the last doorbell has been rung on October 31! She lives for Halloween and starts planning her costume months ahead.
Once she picks this year’s costume, she wears it around the house for weeks so she can get “into character.” Needless to say, she prepares well for this annual ritual by practicing her “trick or treat” speech and plotting the course she will take to conquer the most candy in the shortest amount of time. Every year it pays off, evidenced by the 30-pound bag of candy she drags home.
What can we learn from this 8-year-old kid with a sweet tooth to help you with perfecting your connecting? Do your homework!
When it comes to perfecting your connecting, spend some time in self-assessment and reflection. What do you know about your personality style and pattern? What are your innate talents and skills that support the networking process?
I’ve heard it said that only extroverts are effective connectors; that couldn’t be more wrong. Many of the best connectors I know have introverted personality styles, but they do their homework before the connection so they can maximize the opportunity. True connecting happens one person at a time and one relationship at a time. It is not about working the room and getting the most business cards.
Ask yourself what you bring to the game? What expertise, experiences, knowledge, resources, talents, and skills do you have that could be a resource to others? Who do you know and what do you know that could be helpful to someone else?
Before you head out the door for your next networking opportunity take a few minutes to ponder the action steps below so you too can get the most out of the opportunity:
Perfecting Connecting® Action Steps:
1. Be Who You Are. Click here to take a free online assessment to learn more about your personality style and natural talents. Understanding what drives your connection to others will help you access “the best of you” when you’re in a networking opportunity. http://www.perfectingconnecting.com/resources
2. Do Your Homework! Find out ahead of time what you have in common, and/or what possible connections you may have with any new contacts. This will speed up your connection.
3. Be a Treat not a Trick! What talents, experiences, interests, expertise, hobbies, knowledge do I have that could be helpful to others? Make a list and keep it at the front of your mind to offer people as a resource when you first connect. This will make it much easier to follow-up.
Happy Halloween!