I've only gone and done a 2nd edition...

Welcome to the second edition of the monthly Unnatural LinkedIn Newsletter, where we explore networking, referrals, LinkedIn and more - all from the perspective of an Unnatural Networker. Please hit subscribe!

As this is now the second edition, that means that this is now a thing. I'd better keep going... and I'd love your feedback too.

And if this is the first time you've found Unnatural Networking, you can learn more about me and what I do here.

The Power of Relationships

Politics, particularly in times of war, can be polarising. We're seeing the brutal reality every day right now on the news. But from despair relationships and collaboration can form, just like it did in the early 1940s.

WW2 was raging, with Britain fighting to keep it's head above water in the face of the Nazi onslaught across Europe.

America, meanwhile, was attempting to prop up Britain with munitions and provisions, but by late 1941, the US had entered the war completely.

Britain's Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, and the US President, Franklin D Roosevelt, were therefore working closely together. But this was a political and professional relationship that went beyond alliances and a commitment to winning the war.

The two became friends and developed an exceptionally close personal bond. It is said that they wrote to each other over 2000 times. When they were together, they talked, dined and drank together.

De Roosevelt died in office on April 12th 1945, cruelly only just missing seeing the end of the war that his partnership with Churchill did so much to bring about. Speaking after his death, the Prime Minister said 'in FDR, there died the greatest American friend we have ever known'.

Now - I get it. Most of us aren't trying to save the world from an evil power. We're just trying to build our businesses to create a better situation for ourselves.

But it's a good deal easier if can count on a good mate being by your side.

Unnatural Networker Tip:

Ask people: 'how can I help you?' Sometimes you'll see them double take in response as for most people, it's all about me, me, me.

The challenge is that people are pre-conditioned to be transactional. Most people go networking with the intention of bringing in business. So when you start a networking conversation by asking how you can help them (and obviously you have to mean it and do something about it if you can) - then it's a very powerful way to build a relationship.

Getting out and about

I've just returned home from the Professional Speaking Association 's annual conference in Solihull, and it was an amazing weekend.

I wasn't speaking this weekend, so I'll focus here on the best bit about the event. As you know, I'm an Unnatural Networker, so having to go and network feels difficult for me.

But when you concentrate on building relationships with a few key people - that's when it becomes powerful.

One of the people I connected with was Caroline Flanagan . If you don't follow her - you should! She delivered a fantastic keynote that highlighted the challenges faced by being a black lawyer in a predominantly white world. But crucially, she also had an brilliant response to it: instead of making it about why she's the only black woman in that situation, she reframes it to make it about how good it is to be the first black woman in that situation.

Well worth checking out - and you can find her book, Be the First here.

What I've been doing and saying this month

A regular feature (well, this is the second time and I did it the first time so it must now be regular) is to highlight the posts I've put out in the last month that got the most impressions and engagement:

1. The importance of volunteering:https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/charlielawson_how-do-you-feel-about-voluntary-work-clearly-activity-7112329989970124801--Rzg?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
2. The inimitable Ashley Winston :https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/charlielawson_unnaturalnetworker-activity-7115659404166746114-BEB2?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
3. A crucial one about clapping on planes (!) :https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/charlielawson_friday-fun-inspired-by-olivias-comment-activity-7113469968280600576-RG9_?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
4. The power of commenting on LinkedIn:https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/charlielawson_how-a-single-comment-led-to-a-great-opportunity-activity-7117403449704476672-dtlv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Looking for more?

I've been running a newsletter on LinkedIn for all of about a minute and half - but I've been sending out a regular monthly newsletter for a number of years now.

Want to be added to the list? Drop me a DM saying LIST and as a thank you, I'll send you a copy of my e-book: Do you come here often? The 13 best lines to use when networking.

How Good are You at Networking?

Want to check out how good a networker you are?

Then take the test! It takes 4-5 minutes to complete, is free, and you’ll get one or two pointers to help you get better at networking.

Take the test here!

The world is full of businesspeople who don't feel comfortable talking to or interacting online with strangers, whether that is because they are shy and introverted, or because they lack the confidence to do so. But that means they struggle to network effectively. I believe that everyone should be able to to benefit from the incredible results networking can create. I do that by helping them to get over their fears of networking by showing them how an Unnatural Networker does it. The difference you’ll see in your organisation’s networking results will be remarkable. Subscribe to The Unnatural LinkedIn Newsletter to help, or DM me and let's chat.