I live in a city of 16 million people and I am amazed at what a small world it is. Just yesterday at a gathering for trainers and facilitators in Shanghai I bumped into a friend I had not seen for 8 years and last met in Taipei. Coincidence? Perhaps. But it seems to happen all the time. Let me share a recent example.
Last week, I was asked to evaluate a speech for one of my mentees, Cher, who I had not met for about six months. During a quick conversation as we caught up we found the following connections:
1. I had been a charity auctioneer for the British Chamber Charity Ball from which I was asked to host a similar event for SCAA from which I was asked to host one for Hands On Chengdu.
2. During the Hands On Chengdu event I met one of the organizers, Fang, who was a friend of Cher.
3. Fang’s husband works in the same company as Cher.
4. Another one of Cher’s colleague had just emailed me via the IAF web site on a question about facilitation.
Just for another connection during the event I met a young man who attended a university speech I gave four years ago on “Finding your Passion” - which he still remembered.
It was a good reminder than every little interaction affects so many connection now and in the future. We live in an interconnected world where six degrees of separation often seem to be just one or two degrees. The six degrees of separation started out to link every actor to Kevin Bacon through six or less degrees. One degree of separation are the people you know directly. Two degrees are the people who your friends know but you don’t know and so on. Business networking sites like LinkedIN are built on this principle.
There are lots of books and sites on networking but here are a couple of my simple networking guidelines:
A. Be nice to people
If you assume that every single person you meet will play some important part in the success (or failure) of your future, how would you treat them? Even if you only meet a person once, they still can affect your future by referring people to you, making connections and talking you up to their friends. Be nice. Treat everyone you meet like a long-lost buddy.
B. Pay-forward (not payback)
Instead of waiting for someone to help you, so you can then “pay them back”, why not pay-forward. Be proactive. What service and support can you offer your friends? How can you contribute more to the organisations you are a part of? The best way to build up a name for yourself is through step up and offering help to others.
As we move into the new year, we all set goals in health and wealth. How about setting a few goals under “contribution”. Choose areas that you are passionate in and have something to offer. You will be surprised to find that this selfless contribution accelerates yourself in other areas. People remember you more and in a better light. Be nice. Contribute.
Warwick’s publisher of his book The One Minute Presenter have pledged that for every copy sold, a book will be bought for The Library Project who install library in schools for orphans and under-priviledged children across China.