What are the best ways to build a network that reflects your values?

I Believe It’s way More SIMPLE than some people make it out to be… BE AUTHENTIC… BE YOU… STOP TRYING TO FIT THE NARRATIVE IN ORDER TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH a said AUDIENCE… DEVELOP YOUR STYLE… DEVELOP YOUR VOICE… DEVELOP YOUR PERSONA… BY being REAL with Others… LET PEOPLE EXPERIENCE The Authentic Transparent YOU… BE THE FRIEND, PROFESSIONAL, BUSINESS OWNER, PODCAST HOST, FAMILY MAN, FAITH FOLLOWER, FATHER, HUSBAND or Whatever it is that Resonates with YOU to OTHERS… SERVE THEM and YOU Will Attract the Right Audience and the Right Network… Just my Humble Two Cents… Blessings to ALL ?????? Coach

A lot of early entrepreneurs including me at the beginning just networked for the sake of networking. You don't need to go to every party your local chamber throws. You don't need a friend you need more business. My best friends are the people I do business with but we’re all heading in the same direction. ??

Being authentic in every audience (home, workplace and functions) will create sustainable perceptions of who you are to the world. For some, this is challenging and they change their persona based on their environments. This can lead to waivering perceptions. #beauthentic and #beawesome

Embarking on networking requires strategic intentionality. Start Genuine: As you begin, aim for authentic interactions rather than amassing contacts. Focus on understanding, not just exchanging business cards. True value arises from genuine relationships. Listen to Learn: When you engage, prioritize listening. Understand others' visions and challenges. This will allow you to offer genuine help and form lasting bonds. Seek Synergy: Align with those who resonate with your core values. These connections are more likely to mature into collaborations that make a positive mark. Remember, networking is not just about today, but building bridges for future collaborations. Aim for long-term partnerships that shape progress.

#1 If one is shinning out an eternal purpose for the heart of humanity, it will have no problem in attracting others. When one sits as a disciple under a Master Teacher and studies, one will be taught the righteous Values that all humanity respects and needs. One's senses of purpose has to be discovered and then understood, guided and tested and tried. When one's purpose is discovered, it comes with passion, goals, ethics, morals and provides the guidelines for justice of all creation. Through one's Master Teacher and being a disciple for many years even from childhood, one learns about one's purpose in life, the goals of it, the reasons for it and the how to accomplish the purpose for humanity. Learning about oneself is the beginning.

Keep in mind that you may have already met your tribe(s). Think about groups that you joined as a student, class projects you selected, documentaries that stuck with you, etc. Perhaps they are relevant still, or again. For example, in 2015, I attended a research conference hosted by a community-based organization that has a mission I value. The next year, I joined that organization as a mentee through their Mentoring Program. It was a short, albeit fantastic, experience and I became less active in the organization afterward. Then in 2018, the director of the Mentoring Program asked if I was interested in assuming her role. Five years later, I find immense satisfaction in this service.

The best way to find your tribe(s) is to watch what they do and how they interact. After a while, ask yourself these questions: Do you feel an affinity with them? Do you like the association with them? Do they treat you the way you want to be treated? Do you see any value in participating? How deeply do you want to be connected?

In the Art of War, Sun Tzu said "We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors". Thus, take the time to know the person(s), including their motivations and priorities, how they work, what they value, as you decide the extent to which you want to go all in.

Finding your tribe is about discovering those who resonate with your vision and values. One thing I've found helpful: Proactive participation in forums or groups that align with my passions. This not only introduces me to like-minded individuals but also nurtures a sense of shared purpose. I disagree with: The notion that larger networks are always better. Quality always trumps quantity. It's essential to foster deep, meaningful connections over superficial many. An example I've seen: A friend attended workshops focused on capacity building. She connected with individuals who shared her zeal. Together, they've initiated community projects that have not only enhanced her career, but also benefitted the local community profoundly.

One way that I've found people in my tribe – those whose values and interests resonate with my own – is by taking an timeless approach to the digital age: I hang out and strike up conversations, only I do it in online forums. - Have you read a book that really changed your thinking like First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham? Visit that Amazon page and read reviews. - Like a podcast? Leave an iTunes review. All podcast hosts, myself included, take note of reviews. - Attend and host events. Pre-2020, you'd Never Eat Alone (another great book!). That's returning. The point here is that we crave connection for many reasons, and when you take initiative to show up and reach out, you're building your leadership.

By all means be authentic, but professionally authentic. Your authenticity has to reinforce your professionalism and excellence, as much as your personality, empathy, and uniqueness. Remind yourself that your comments will be remembered and shared, so set boundaries. Talk to people how you would like to be spoken to. Authenticity is a lot about developing your own style and tone, and delivering it with consistency. That takes thought and practice.

Thank you ?? Refreshingly kind points all around. Fundamental Tribal Values 101: ?? Share the wealth adequately (of knowledge, connection, etc.)??Ban bullying (harm, intimidation and coercion are ruled out for a good reason) ??Engage in non-reciprocal altruism (self-explanatory). Credit: #Behave Robert Sapolsky.

I'll always remember the lesson of toning down my enthusiasm as a professional. While in a lunch line in Cupertino, I struck up a conversation with the woman to my left and found out she was from suburban Philadelphia. I asked what she liked to do for sports or a hobby and when she said tennis, I started sharing about the new facilities she should check out next time she visits, and more. I've been a tour guide and tournament player, so I gave her a full 411 report – much more than she asked for, I now realize. When I exchanged business cards, I learned that she was 3 levels up from my manager, who had feedback for me. Lessons learned: tread carefully, know who you're connecting with, and temper your enthusiasm, at least initially.

Embrace New Perspectives: Make it a value to continually seek new experiences and perspectives. Engage with cultures, industries, and communities different from your own to broaden your understanding of the world. Challenge Your Worldview: Regularly step out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to ideas and beliefs that challenge your own. This not only deepens your capacity for empathy but also enhances your problem-solving and leadership skills.

The topic of diversity is in fashion, but we still need to be fixed on our views and limited to the perspective of our environment. Our society, family, and conditions influence our goals, personal development and ability to adapt to other people, and how we resolve issues. A way to break this can be by simply asking more questions to people being more curious about their reasons rather than jumping to conclusions or being quick to give our opinion. Also, being social and changing our environment allows us to be more experienced in the world and learn from others, breaking the patterns of our ways. We can become different and adopt the qualities of others as our own. We grow and improve the quality of our lives when we learn from others.

Expanding your horizons enriches all those around you. The real conductors of ideas and culture enhancement are those with 360 degree enlightenment. Those who strive to reach are those best endowed to connect. Always facilitate the landing points for those in mid journey.

Expanding your horizons is about enrichment and growth. It means being curious, and accepting that you may have gaps in understanding - but you see a value in doing this. Set yourself targets and goals. Be serious about this, but don’t take yourself too seriously. From time to time, sit back and reflect on what you have gained. What has challenged your wisdom? What would you do differently now? Who can you connect with that you couldn’t before? Then dive back in and do it again.

Leaders stand up when others sit down. When they stand up, they bring other people with them - in a way that elevates and celebrates more than just them. As they say, ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’ - so make sure that your leadership resonates and encourages others to replicate.

It is valued to demonstrate a humble learning listening approach. In the words of the Chinese parliament used by all elite special forces everyone brings something to the table. Walls have ears but so too do those on what are perceived to be the lowest perch. Always elevate welcome and open your team voice as the sum of the parts is powerful beyond computation

Leading with value transcends mere networking; it's about creating a purposeful ecosystem. To truly carve out a network mirroring your principles, one mustn't just seek like-minded individuals but become the beacon that draws them in. This magnetism is achieved when you consistently exemplify your values in all you undertake. It's essential to transparently convey what drives you, resonating authenticity. Elevate your role by championing others to embrace their core beliefs and act upon them. Celebrate those who echo your ethos, amplifying collective impact. By advocating earnestly for causes you're passionate about, you don't just grow your network; you foster a movement.

Very simply, share your values openly - often, values live below the surface and when you don’t clearly articulate them, you leave others to make (faulty) assumptions about you and what you care about. Have non-negotiables in your life? Speak about them. Feel strongly about a specific topic that reflects your values? Find a forum to share it. Over time, chances are, you’ll begin to attract others who share a similar values set to you.

A healthy relevant and equitable network lives and breathes through its membership. As such communication at all levels is key to the degree and timing of forward momentum. Open and honest acceptance of ideas and opinions maintains development and growth. Individuals can therefore align to the direction but not necessarily the specifics of network travel.

I’d add that people need to understand their career aspirations and figure out who they need to know to help them get where they want to go. I have a great exercise to help people understand this. If anyone is interested just DM me.

You have to enjoy sharing the values that you are communicating. People need to feel that from you. Don’t preach, teach - but when you teach, earn that right to do so, by being valuable and valued. Think, what’s in it for them, and what can you do together?

One valuable aspect of networks to remember as a priority is how you give to it or show up to it in a way which lives your values but also the values a network is built on. For example, many people come to network events espousing and promoting what they do and how they work but show little/if any curiosity about how others work and what they do. Networking is always a two-way process and would advocate that you initiate and give as soon as you can regardless of how others interact. People always remember a helpful steer, comment or support you have shown them which assists them/their business first and for longer above anything else.