Networking to give or to get?

?“Love and work, work and love, that’s all there is,” intones 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (De Niro) in the movie 'The Intern’s' opening voiceover quoting Freud.

We often wonder, how do you bring about authenticity without sharing your values, belief system(s) and without being YOU?

De Niro plays a senior intern in the movie whose affability and helpfulness are as consistent as the square charcoal business suits he wears every day. He is a giver from the word go.

Niro’s, Whittaker creates a task dependent relationship with Hathaway’s character.

Does dependency on executing tasks together or inter dependency of tasks or common goals foster authentic relationships? From our experience it is a big YES!!!

Given the fact that both of us at #BankingonKarMa are ambiverts, it was the task on hand of steering a transformation out of troubled waters that brought us together. We had not exchanged even basic pleasantries despite working from the same office for years till that point in time. During our first meeting, the only thing that both of us obsessed was about the goal, which was profitable turnaround of the program.

Productive work and positive human relationships are needed for growth. How are the blurring lines of work and personal lives changing that in today’s world?

When we look back today, we have a hearty laugh at the journey that started on such a formal professional vibe to today, where in our families know each other & we can leverage each other as a sounding board whilst working in two different organizations. All this as we gleefully snark & judge the other ??.

Here is our take on the blurring lines of professional & personal lives in networking.

Shankar writes:

I was “forced” to figure out the science or art of networking whilst I and couple others were on our start up journey. My first lesson that I learnt from the fintech mafia (as they were called then ??) Ron, Brad, JP Nicols & Deva was their attitude of “giving” & “how can I help”?

I have always wondered; how can I be my “authentic self” without sharing my personal stories at work or the values or relationship(s) that are very dear to me. Just around six weeks back I lost Amma & the suddenness was shocking, but I was truly touched as within 30 minutes many of my big blue co-workers were in the hospital by my side helping me navigate through the formalities. I believe it happened as they were aware of the importance of Amma in my life.

Mala Writes:

During my initial years as a professional, a constant feedback I received was to ‘network’ more and create my own ‘brand’. I never understood what it really meant, I tried my hand at it by attending events, hanging out with folks after work, joining different groups for lunch and I soon gave up. Making friends at work via a plan was never going to work for my personality. Years passed by without me consciously ‘networking’. What I did, was do what came naturally to me - be curious, help when there is a problem, listen to people, be accessible & return calls. Most importantly never ignoring a call for help.

For me the biggest eye opener on the strength of my network was during the dreaded second wave of Covid. How quickly my professional networks stepped in to support people in dire need. And karma it was, that all the help came back my way when my family and I tested positive.

Networks have that compounding effect. Through Shankar’s network I am now part of Leda’s tribe and Sudhir’s wisdom. ( @LedaGlypris and @SudKes) Trenches and Tribes, they are a sure way of building a great network.

We at #BankingonKarMa would like to give a special shout out to “Aspire for her”. ?The platform has a rich network of women leaders as mentors for all fields. The common aim for everyone is to help women sustain and grow in their careers. This alone brings such a diverse group together, who do not know each other but are the first to help – The Tribe that watches out for each other. A strong need to give back to someone walking the path you once walked is something that is going to help the platform thrive.

Whether the professional & personal lines are blurred or not, we at #bankingonKarMa have learnt

????????????????????????Give first, give generously and give often

What are your views on networking ? We are listening.

Cheers,

Shankar & Mala

PS: Views are ours and only ours, whilst we draw a lot of inspiration from our conversations and dialog with people!!!! A big Thank you to you all know who you are!!!!

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