Becoming the Connector

It’s really about being two steps ahead and always thinking “what I can do for this person”, and being on the lookout for opportunities to swoop in and say “I can help with that.” If you always keep on the lookout for opportunities to help other people you will be more ready when opportunity, presents itself.
When I am in a room of people I get inquisitive. I want to know what makes people tick, what’s their personality like, who are they trying to reach, what is the best way to help them. A lot of people at first are thrown off by this forwardness but they almost always come around. When you become the connector people make that easier for you. There is nothing like being in a room full of people and overhearing things like "you need to meet (insert your name) they know everyone!" That’s how you know you’re doing it right. It's not about popularity it's about a genuine passion in helping others.

Here is a story to illustrate my point.

I was at a networking after hours event talking to a table of ladies about networking. We had just talked about connecting people. When one of the ladies, we will call her Sally, jumped up and said, “I got it!” She excused herself and went across the room. As our table watched her you could tell she was excited and almost had this glow about her. She walked up to another lady and even though we couldn’t hear the conversation we could tell what was happening. After their initial discussion, they walked together to another lady who was attending the event. As handshakes followed there was an almost frenzied, excited conversation followed by hugs. It was fun to watch.

Here's what happened. As Sally was listening to me talk about connecting she realized she had met a lady earlier in the event who wrote grants for non-profits. Sally had also met another lady who worked for a non-profit. Sally, understanding connecting now, knew these two needed to meet. The reason why they hugged after introductions was because when Sally made the introduction the ladies actually knew each other but hadn't seen each other in years. As it turned out these ladies had no idea what the other did for a career and since their reuniting they have worked together on several grants and their relationship has blossomed.

Now back to Sally...

Sally is a financial advisor and had been struggling to find new people to help with their investing and was contemplating changing careers. She was frustrated that she had so much competition and people wouldn’t talk to her as soon as she said she was a financial advisor. After this great connection, her career completely changed. Sally was eventually invited to sit on the non-profit's board of her new connection friends and now majority of the board members are clients of her. She also has become the advisor of the lady that writes grants who has made several other introductions to other non-profits that Sally now consults with, and intern advises several other board members.
It’s not magic, it's not rocket science. It’s genuinely wanting to help other people. Sally’s career has forever been changed by one introduction. I am not saying that will happen for everyone but it might.

Go open doors, become the connector and help people without looking for anything in return. If you are going to network it’s the fastest way to build your network of referral partners.

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