Networking to build authentic relationships offers a wide range of benefits for our personal and professional lives and experiences. By connecting with others and making genuine connections, we can access a wealth of resources and opportunities to help us achieve our goals and aspirations. When we are in a relationship with others, we gain new perspectives, insights, and lessons to learn while discovering new areas for growth and expansion we may not have had access to. By building authentic relationships, we feel more connected and supported in our personal and professional endeavors and build a strong network of trusted individuals to whom we can turn for guidance and mentoring. These aspects are invaluable as we all have much to learn from one another.
Conscious networking and authentically building relationships can be a powerful strategy for significant growth and success and has shifted my life and career in more ways than one. Through investing both time and energy into building and maintaining meaningful connections, I have discovered a new path for building new connections and relationships in the years to come. Throughout my career, primarily through my business, I’ve learned a few vital networking tips for conscious networking that has shifted what relationships mean to me and how to best support these relationships to aid in long-term alignments of the relationship.
Here are my conscious networking tips for building authentic relationships that you can start applying today!
Be intentional about who you want to connect with
Intentionality is vital in every facet of life, but it is essential in business. I have discovered that being intentional about who you want to connect with, both online and offline, is necessary. Consider what you want to achieve through networking and who would align with you the most. Intentionality will help you attract people with the same interests, values, and goals as you, creating more enriched relationships through commonality. When you share commonality with those in the community with you, you can find long-term alignments in the relationship.
Being intentional about who you want to connect with also clarifies who could support a specific need or ask. For example, if you want to learn more about a particular industry, you might seek professionals with experience and expertise in that space. Alternatively, if you are looking for career advancement opportunities, seek professionals who can offer mentorship or introductions to potential employers in your field.
Take the time to think about who you want to connect with, and be proactive in reaching out and building relationships with those individuals. By being intentional about your networking efforts, you can ensure that you are building mutually beneficial, long-term relationships. You’ll feel as if the time and energy you are putting into networking are more likely to attract the genuine, authentic relationships that you desire.
Focus on quality connections over quantity
I have learned over the years that it is better to have a few strong, meaningful connections than many unintentional ones. Building strong relationships takes time, effort, and energy, but it’s worth it in the long run. Spend time building relationships with people who genuinely want to support you and those you wish to support in return. You create these connections by being authentic and genuine in your interactions and showing a genuine interest in the other person. It also means being open and transparent about your goals and needs and being willing to offer support and assistance to the needs of others as well.
By building strong, supportive relationships, you’ll be able to access a wealth of resources and opportunities to help you achieve your personal and professional goals. You’ll also be more likely to receive support and guidance from those you have connected with, which can be invaluable as you navigate your career. It’s essential to invest time and effort into building quality connections – as it’s a vital part of networking consciously.
Network to connect with aligned people versus meeting a specific outcome at the start
It’s essential to approach networking to build genuine relationships with aligned people and communities rather than simply trying to meet specific expectations or achieve a specific outcome. By refraining from approaching networking to gain something specific, like a client or an achievement, you’ll be able to focus on building authentic relationships based on genuine interest and connection. Showing genuine interest in your relationships will help you create a network of supportive professionals who can offer guidance, support, and opportunities as you navigate your career and experiences.
Additionally, by focusing on building relationships rather than meeting specific expectations, you’ll be more likely to discover unexpected opportunities that may have yet to be on your radar. Therefore, don’t be too focused on achieving specific outcomes – instead, focus on building authentic relationships and see where they take you.
Be curious about your connections
Approach networking with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Ask your connections questions about their life, career, or aspirations to spark alignments in the relationship. You never know what similarities you may have. Finding similarities in the connections and people you attract could lead to new opportunities that may arise naturally due to your curiosity and interest in their experiences. Being curious about your relationships allows you to broaden your network and learn from people with different backgrounds and perspectives. By asking questions and listening actively, you can gain valuable insights and new ideas to help you grow personally and professionally.
Additionally, mindfully asking your connections questions about themselves will help you learn more about the person you are connecting with and can help you discover even more shared interests and values. Ask about their experiences and challenges, which can provide valuable insights and perspectives to help you grow personally and professionally. By actively listening to your connections and showing a genuine interest in their experiences, you’ll be able to build stronger, authentic relationships while gaining valuable insights that can help you grow and succeed.
Stay in touch, and don’t be afraid to ask for support when needed once the relationship has formed
Following up and staying in touch after meeting someone new is essential to conscious networking and building a long-term, authentic professional relationship. By connecting through email, over the phone/video, or connecting on LinkedIn, you’ll be able to form a deeper connection by becoming a part of their inner circle. Taking the relationship further opens space for you to stay in touch while learning more about their endeavors and possibilities on how you can support them. It’s also important to remember that networking is about building mutually beneficial relationships, so don’t be afraid to ask for help or support when needed. Whether seeking advice on a particular topic or introductions to other professionals, don’t be afraid to ask for guidance.
By being open and transparent about your goals and needs, you’ll be more likely to build strong, supportive relationships that can help you achieve your professional goals and vice versa. By following up, staying in touch, and being open to seeking help, you’ll build a strong network of professional contacts that will support you throughout your career. Take the initiative and reach out when it feels aligned.
The main takeaway
Remember that networking is about building solid and meaningful relationships. Following these networking tips can create authentic, professional relationships through networking to assist you in your career journey. Take the time to get to know people and learn about their interests, experiences, goals, and simply what lights them up. Offer help, advice, or support when you can while being open to receiving the same support in return. Remember to be genuine, show a genuine interest in the people you meet, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.
By building quality connections with good people, you’ll be able to create a strong network of support and opportunities!
If you like these five conscious networking tips for building authentic relationships, you can also find these networking tips discussed in my recent interview on Authority Magazine and Medium. You can read that interview here.
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