What are the best ways to build a professional relationship with someone you admire?

There are multiple reasons for wanting to connect to some you admire. Sometimes for the influence they wield, sometimes for the ambition to become like them in future, or simply seeking mentorship & guidance. Rarely would person of authority give in to a random request for an ambiguous coffee. Once you have defined your goals with the person in question, perhaps initiating a brief calibration call would be in order to get things started (if at all). A lot of the things happening initially will have to be kept brief, clear, concise and convenient. This is to check for some form of chemistry and confirm the willingness of the person to engage. Be clear, brief and relevant.

LinkIn to them Register for events or webinars they speak at Ask them if they would be willing to take an informational meeting with them Read their online contributions on various topics so you are prepared with thoughts and questions Join organizations of which they are members

This tends to be the hardest thing I see individuals struggle with on LinkedIn. They reach out demanding that you respond to them all while messaging a complete stranger. Its a double edge sword because as a professional you want to be responsive but when people are entitled and you don't know them it can be a little over the top or overwhelming one person messaged me so many times I blocked them. My phone was vibrating nonstop and I did what was necessary.

Too much research into the person you wish to meet can come across a bit intrusive if overdone. "I noticed you have 3 daughters" because you checked their FB is thin ice. Make sure you pick safer points, perhaps a sport or a charity they support. But mainly since this will be more a professional engagement. Check out their LinkedIn profile, look for clues of how they developed their career. The certifications they took to advance and even the types of companies they chose to join. Make sure you find out about their company somewhat too so that you can align what they do to the company they work for. I personally find that starting off chatting about their sporting preferences a good ice breaker but don't dwell.

Research will help you learn how you can provide value. In our society people don't tend to stop to listen to you until you can add value and when they feel as though you're no longer of use then they move on.

The best way to reach out, I believe, is to appreciate their work, and offer something which you can bring to the table. That way, you exponentially increase your chances of building a synergetic two-way relation. Even if you just want to ask questions: 1. Be as specific as you can, leaving no room for open interpretation. 2. Be as concise as possible. That way you show respect for their time. Never reach out to anyone with hey/hello/hi. In most of the cases, you won't get a reply.

Reaching out can be hit or miss and as much as people across LinkedIn consider themselves to be gurus there isn't a right or wrong way. You do add value to potentially connecting with someone that you desire to connect with when you cold message them but be enlightening and welcoming. Don't start it off demanding them to help you and if you're a recruiter be sure to thoroughly research them and assess whether the company you're working for can afford said candidate.

Don't overdo your follow up. If you admire them its for a reason and when the time permits they'll get back to you. Go into it with the attitude of taking a chance but be strategic so you can land a hit on the first message or phone call. Don't annoy them or flood them with messages thats the quickest way not to get a response.

This is a person you admire or wish to emulate in one form or the other. Trying to impress them with flattery is a poor approach. Be open about what you know or do not know and how you hope to learn from them. Above all else, do not lie or embellish anything. It's very possible they are aware of the type of things you have done and the truth will leak out. Once that trust is broken, the desire to commit time to you will be much reduced. Stay respectful of their time. Don't exaggerate. Send a thoughtful follow up thank you note and offer your own time and any resource they might find helpful in return. Sending a very brief update of your development every few months keep the relationship open and warm for possible further engagement.

Don’t play dress-up with your personality. Be who you are. Authenticity has a magnetic power. Respect is certainly a non-negotiable in all aspects of life. But be genuine in your appreciation for their work and perspective. Ask thoughtful questions, listen to their answers, and engage in meaningful dialogue.

I agree do your research on those you want to connect with. Respect their time and trust when they do connect. Be yourself, make short explanation of interesting similarities of knowledge, or professional situations to build rapport. Be genuine and helpful if they ask questions. Leave the communication open so they feel comfortable and interested should they want to communicate in the future. In my experience, people who are given time and invitation to reconnect will take it.

One should consider when reaching out to someone you admire to make a connection, find common ground, don't overthink, and don't fake the funk. Be yourself but be transparent, invite them on a journey of business with you if you feel the potential is great. Finally take a chance stop overthinking this and like Nike "Just Do It"!

When considering building a professional relationship with someone I admire, I think of authenticity, cadence and layering. In most cases I know of them, but they don't know me. The challenge is to pack the authentic relational discovery and interaction that would happen organically and over time into a shorter, intentional timeframe. This takes some strategy and intuition. I do lots of research on my own and take note of where we might intersect. Then I find a few authentic ways to reach out and I begin to layer interactions in with plenty of respect and an organic cadence. I'm careful to respond, and not pounce, when there is interest on their part. It's a bit of a dance, and certainly a privilege when my "ask" is met with a yes!