Give first when you network

Networking is not difficult, although it takes time. It is a process. The best way to go about it is to follow the law of reciprocity: give first, then ask. You must be willing to give first before receiving. Effective networking is a mutual exchange of ideas and information. It does not involve simply asking for favors.

To be good at networking, you must be positive, be willing to listen and care about others, be prepared (it helps to have a strategy in place), and be proactive (make sure sure you follow up with the people you’ve talked to).

Even though networking has been known as the number one way to find your next opportunity most of us are reluctant to building linkages with strangers. In a recent survey by ExecuNet 70% of executives describe networking as painful and difficult. Yet in another survey over 60% said that is exactly how they found their last job or new opportunity with in their network.

Building and maintaining meaningful connections with others has proven to be the most effective way to not only find your next opportunity but is helpful as a lifelong pursuit to building meaningful relationships with others. You may just find lifelong friends.

Leaders who practice “Golden Rule” needed

Never before in the history of our country or the workplace has the concept of leadership been more necessary. In today’s ever-changing business environment we are seeing unprecedented global economic pressures, global competition and outsourcing. We need a new breed of leadership that will bring our country and our companies back to a place of respect, through simple “golden rule” practices that are derived out of a genuine unselfish servant hood mindset.We need a new breed of leadership that will bring our country and our companies back to a place of respect, through simple “golden rule” practices that are derived out of a genuine unselfish servant hood mindset.

We need a new breed that will take us back to some basic principles and disciplines that are derived from the creator of the universe, by God himself from the golden rule: to do what is right at all costs. The new breed of leaders must direct from a position of servant hood that promotes unselfishness, integrity, honesty and trust. We need servant leaders who are not afraid to give to their teams, to be open and to communicate the good the bad and the ugly and show they are willing to pitch in and be the first on the scene of crisis and the last to leave.

Network, network, network

Webster’s dictionary defines networking as “the deliberate process of exchanging information, resources, support and access in such a way as to create mutually beneficial relationships for personal and professional success.”

Why should you network?

1. To identify unadvertised jobs
2. To gather intelligence
3. To demonstrate visibility and availability
4. To meet a target executive to share product offerings and service
5. To build relationships with other networkers

Networking can be very scary and intimidating to most folks, but it’s relatively easy. Think of it as a conversation, and use the EARS principle:

• Encourage your partner.

• Acknowledge your partner.

• Respond to your partner.

• Save what’s been said.

Make networking part of your professional success plan.

Positive thinking needed

2008 didn’t finish on a high note. And it’s hard to say how 2009 is going to fare. With all the negative news out there, one thing is sorely needed: positive thinking.

A positive attitude is essential in today’s economic conditions with downsizing, “right sizing” and organizations doing more with less. Companies now need leaders who can motivate and encourage employees and teams to focus with a positive mental attitude.

Positive leaders stay calm, express optimism, enthusiasm, and demonstrate determination, integrity, confidence, courage, patience, and belief. These leaders set an example of servanthood, placing others’ needs above their own, never asking others to do something they could not do themselves.

If you’re the person in charge, take the lead and be a positive influence.

Power of the Stick Man

I believe “the common denominator for change is THINKING, the right thinking.”

I learned this during my karate class. My karate instructor had us draw a simple stick man on a piece of paper, with a round circle for the head, two stick arms and two stick legs. On top of the circle or head sticking out are five antennae representing our senses: touch, sight, sound, taste, smell. Imagine again that a thick line divides the head into two parts: the conscious mind (top of the circle) and the subconscious mind (bottom of the circle). The conscious mind has the ability to accept or reject positive and negative thoughts. To get to the truth center in the subconscious, the conscious mind has to be bombarded with thoughts over and over again. While the conscious mind has the ability to reject a particular thought or action, repeating that thought or action over a period of 20 to 30 days causes it to penetrate the subconscious.

The lesson of the Stick Man provided me with the power to achieve a sixth-degree black belt in karate, and has served me well during my 25-plus years of experience as a sales executive.

The key to change is by selecting what we will focus on. You are the only one who can change, and it starts with consciously selecting positive thoughts and repeating them.

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