Networking. This word gets a bad wrap. It makes people sweat. It sounds dirty.

You imagine plastering on a perma-smile and working a room at a party, slinging your business cards at strangers. You remember the insurance agent you barely know who calls you every six months acting like he’s your buddy. Networking has been misused and misunderstood. It has also been gravely underutilized.

Relationships matter. Teams matter. Wise introductions matter. When done with care and integrity, networking is the single greatest tool to living the story you were designed to live. Networking is about empathy. It’s about connecting someone to a person or opportunity with the power to unlock the story they were designed to live. This moment of destiny is often one introduction away. I get a rush when I hear two people I introduced creating something huge together. Networking can create exponential results. It’s not 1 + 1 ; it’s 100 X 100.   

You can’t accomplish your calling alone. Do you believe that? Team is God’s plan for humans, and it runs contrary to our fast-paced, me-centered culture. If you aren’t humble enough to believe you need others you simply won’t look for your team. It’s that simple. Lone wolves won’t change the world, but they will use people. People are acutely aware of lone wolves. We can smell the aroma of good networking. And the stench of bad networking.     

Slimy networking is…

Tricky tactics 

A one-time exchange 

Sales-motivated 

Self-focused

Individualistic

Fast and sloppy   

Empathetic networking is…

Heart-driven 

Empathetic 

Value-adding

Others-focused

Team-centered

Slow and calculated   

Don’t do this…

Skip over their story

Present written materials right out of the gate

Make an immediate ask

Assume you know what they desire from you

Introduce them to others too quickly 

Over-promise

Do this…

Ask them to share their story

Pursue human connection over the big deal

Add tangible value

Ask specifically how you can help them

Introduce them to others slowly

Under-promise and over-deliver

I’ve had the privilege of introducing people, teams and organizations who have experienced impact explosions. People have also been gracious enough to introduce me to others who have unlocked things in my life I never would have experienced without them. We’re built for big things, but God often uses others to unlock those things. Resist the temptation to view networking as your path to get what you want and watch what unfolds. 

 

What’s your next right step? Take it; I dare you.