The Biggest Networking Truth Revealed

No, this isn’t a trick title. 

No, this isn’t another boring networking post.

Yes, your network is lame and it’s your fault.

Still with me?

But I’m A Successful Professional

Sure you are. So are the people who lose their jobs every day because their company hit a rough patch or their industry was outmaneuvered, or you simply are so stuck on yourself that you don’t think you need a network because you're successful.

Seriously?

If I had a dollar for everyone who has ever suddenly connected with me on Linkedin when they found themselves unemployed and now wanted to start networking I could retire. Well, maybe not retire, but you get the point.

The old line about looking yourself up on the Internet to ‘check to make sure your character hasn’t been hacked’ is actually a desperate cry for you to begin networking. A quick google search is the proof you need to show just how invisible you are.

Yes, invisible. 

I’m Hiring, But I Can’t See You

Consider this scenario…I have a job to fill and twenty-five seasoned professionals apply for the position. 

They are all great people, have strong interpersonal skills and similar experience. 

I can close my eyes and pick any one of them and win. 

They are clones…they have no individual identify…they are simply duplicates that can do the job.

Harsh? Maybe. True? You tell me.

However, if one of them has invested in their network, connected with people (maybe even me or you at some point), or heaven help us established a personal brand, guess which one is going to get the job?  

Instantly. 

How About You

Your ego is the biggest truth about networking. It gets in the way, clouds your thinking, and convinces you that you’re better than you are. (Mine sure as heck did!) Your ego is in the way of you building the network you need. Networks are not luxuries..they are requirements...they take work to develop both online and in person.

They’re worth it.

They matter.

They will help you...

…but only if you’re willing to do the hard work to build one.

Get over yourself, reach out, connect, pick up the phone and get started.

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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(Caught) In Your Words

I want you to try a 3 second exercise with me. Here we go: say something, any phrase will do...

...now try to take those words back.

Could you do it? No?

Leader Messages

As leaders we say many things each day. Our colleagues, teams and customers listen closely to those words. They search for honesty, hidden meanings, subtle cues, or downright strong words that motivate them to take action.

Words are powerful...they inspire, motivate, encourage, develop, betray and a host of other things. Think of the last important meeting you had with your supervisor or group of colleagues. How did you feel as you walked out of the room? Did you feel supported, lied to, or set up? Your teams feel the exact same way depending on how you conduct yourself when you have one of those meetings with them.

Words matter. Integrity matters. The truth matters.

Unspoken Messages

There are another set of messages that can be just as powerful as the spoken word. It's the look. You know what I mean. That glance during a meeting. A signal that says, "well done" or conversely "that makes no sense."

Have you used this powerful leadership tool?

Non-verbal messages sometimes are much louder than the spoken word. Consider the weight of silence when an employee is clearly not understanding the magnitude of the work they need to accomplish, and you ask a direct question...

...and wait.

...and wait some more.

You don't let them off the hook. If you don't think silence is powerful, try staring at someone for 5 seconds without breaking your stare. It is very powerful, and effective, and can often make the point better than any words you could dig out of a thesaurus.

But be warned. 

Make sure you have your facts straight before you start accusing your colleagues or team members...because when you're wrong, your credibility as a leader is permanently gone. No one follows the ill-informed CYA-style leader.

How About You

Do you appreciate the impact you have on the workplace? What about your team? Are you so caught up in "your" work that you carelessly toss around strong words and glares simply to protect your own self-interest?

Be intentional in your words and actions. As leaders, our moves must have an agenda based on integrity and truth...otherwise, we are simply an embarrassing failure that all can plainly see.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Playing the Race Card

I have a couple of hot buttons in my life. Here's the list:

- racism

- discrimination against those different than you (for any reason)

- violence against women and children

- racism

Racism gets two votes because not only is it one of the most cowardly and disgusting belief systems I've ever encountered; but it also goes against the very core of what being a decent human being is all about.

Are you with me so far?

 

Racism Is Not A Card Game

One of the phrases I hear over and over has to do with one's ability to "play" some sort of mysterious "race card."

What?

It seems to me that each time this phrase is used it is by someone who is trying to attack a minority for raising a legitimate issue; but God forbid it has something to do with racism. We certainly can't talk about that! Right?

"Would someone please explain to me why we aren't comfortable talking about racism for what it is; and instead feel the need to deflect our inability to confront the bigots among us and degrade the issue to a common game of cards?"

What?

What the hell is going on here? Avoidance, that's what. Fear of speaking the truth, that's what. The inability to step up and confront racism when its staring us in the face, that's what. Whose job is it to step up anyway? In your work life human resources leadership better be ready to drop the gloves instantly.

We all have options. Some of them are easy. The easiest one is called silence. Silence equals endorsement. Silence means you are actively supporting racism.

Silence means you are now the racist. How does that sound in your head?

Another Option

We have another option too. We can do something. We can stop the bigots in their tracks and expose them for the foolish, evil, radicals they are. All we have to do is speak up. You see once we raise our voice two things immediately happen:

- everyone will know exactly what you stand for

- everyone will know exactly what the racist stands for

Are you still with me?

How About You

Stop playing cards. Start confronting racism. If you're not sure what to do, call me and I'll help. It can be scary when you're the only one in the room doing the right thing. I know. But in the words of Dr. King: "the time is always right, to do what's right." 

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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