After You- A Lesson in Networking

We network like we do so many other things…in too big of a hurry. As such, we miss a lot of golden opportunities. I want to share something with you that will change your networking results forever. I call it “After You Networking”.

You’ve no doubt been taught and believe the idea that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. While that is technically true, I don’t believe it matters. How often have you met someone who you thought was great and were proved wrong? How often have you met someone you couldn’t stand at first and now like?

Here’s the lesson: Because of this first impression thing we are in such a hurry to “impress” the person we just met. Unfortunately the way most people attempt to do so is wrong. They do it by talking. They want to tell you all about them. Who they are. What they do. Maybe who they know. And so on. What they don’t realize, and this is true regardless of how interesting they are, the first impression is they seem self-centered.

Here’s the trick: Start all of your conversations by inviting them to go first. Maybe a quick sentence like “tell me about yourself”.

Since you know this is people’s natural inclination. Let them do it. Give them the go-ahead. BE interested in what they have to say. Enjoy learning about them. Take time to understand who they are and equally important how you can be of service to them.

Here are the benefits:

1. The biggest benefit is that you will be able to remember their name. People ask me all the time what the secret to doing so is. The secret is you can’t remember something you never knew. We are so busy trying to “impress” people when we first meet them that we rarely even hear their name when we are introduced. This approach allows you to hear it.

2. The next benefit is that you will actually learn about them and their needs. This will put you in a position to truly help them.

3. You will be perceived as an excellent communicator. Why? because you will be primarily engaged in a conversation that they really enjoy. You know, the one about them! What’s everyone’s favorite topic? That’s right

4. When it’s your turn to talk they will actually listen to you. It’s true. They can fully focus on you and your needs because they’re not worrying about what they want to say.

5. You can gauge what sort of person they are. If you listen to them and they don’t return the favor, you will know how much future time to invest in them.

Now go ahead and tell me about yourself. I promise to listen :-)