My (New) Third Very Simple Rule of Networking
I recently wrote a post on My Two Very Simple Rules for Networking. They are:
1) Meet one new person in my area of interest every month, or significantly deepen an existing relationship.
2) Do something nice for someone in my network every week.
Based on the comments from LinkedIn readers, I am adding a third rule:
3) Make sure that I am spending time with professionals who are different from me.
At an extreme, if my network is made up solely of female financial services professionals of my generation, who all hail from the south, I will likely feel very comfortable with them. And I will likely enjoy my time with them. And I will no doubt learn from them.
But at some point, this will become an echo chamber of similar-enough experiences and perspectives.
Some of my most meaningful new connections over the past few years have been with professionals from different industries and different parts of the country from me. And my most valuable may have been with entrepreneurs who are a couple of decades younger than me, who possess a significantly different perspective.
Research shows that we are all most comfortable networking with (and working with) people who are like us. But just as the most successful management teams bring complementary strengths to the table, so the most meaningful professional networks do as well….even if it takes a bit more effort.
Thanks, LinkedIn readers.
(Photo: Flickr, ricki888c)
Quality Integration Lead at Ethicon Inc. (J&J)
9 年I agree, it's important to include individuals who bring diversity of thought to our networks. Great article, thanks for sharing.
In-house full-stack CMO (Chief Marketing Officer). Passionate about assisting American Families, Entrepreneurs, and Businesses achieve more cash flow.
10 年The people I like to add to my LinkedIn network are those who are local and willing to meet in person. Am I the only one? It makes it challenging to do #1 if they aren't open to meet in person, let alone respond to email or inmail.
I think searching out different LinkedIn groups also helps give your group some depth and perspective. In addition to being part of work related groups, seek out other groups that are interesting to you. It may be motivational speakers or a personal trainer group--but you can learn something from them that applies to your career path.
Tax & Retirement Professional at Dawson Tax & Financial Services
11 年I always believe that you never know what you can learn from someone else's perspective in solving problems or achieve your goals.
Director at Sydney Mortgage Plus
11 年Great thoughts. Sharing ideas and people. Using LinkedIn to put yourself out there and connect with genuine people to break down barriers.