Your network- it's changing
I consider myself a networker. On the Strengths Finder assessment, one of my top five is WOO (winning others over). I am a major E on the Myers Briggs. So I tend to spend time thinking through how best to manage the network of friends, associates, partners, and business relationships that have been cultivated over the years.
In high school, I knew all of my classmates by first and last name. In college, I had friends in virtually every fraternity house, sorority house, club, association, and dorm. When I first started my “career” just after college, I was keeping names on a yellow notebook pad, and occasionally putting business cards in a drawer. Amazing that was only 14 years ago.
At that point in the mid 90′s, my network (and probably yours as well) was really defined by a rolodex of business cards of people I had met in person. Then along came email and database management and so your network became defined by your outlook contacts or by a spreadsheet in Excel.
Now, your network is defined by a varied number of relational webs- facebook, linkedin, twitter, blogs, email, myspace, etc. This new phenomenon has allowed our networks to expand exponentially beyond people we actually MEET or KNOW or TALK to in person. And maybe even folks we have nothing in common with currently.
Used to “networking” meant you “worked a room” and were “shaking hands and patting backs.” Now, in many ways networking is defined by social media and your ability to win someone over to your digital community at large.
The reality is, you (and I) have never been more connected, and had the tools to stay connected, but in many ways never so disconnected.
When’s the last time you actually sent a hand written card to someone? When’s the last time you spent a significant amount of time on the phone with someone, instead of a quick text or facebook message? Most folks don’t email or call their network, but instead send a quick tweet or blog post or facebook message.
This means we all are being forced to change. Change how we both build a network as well as manage our network. And change is difficult.
so true!
Another great post Brad… especially as much of this networking is now done in front of a global audience.
Our words are more important than we realize.
You live what it means to “stir one another on toward love and good deeds”, while so many sleep in the light.
Thanks for connecting me to great leaders with great passions.
Very true. Technology has widened the ability for us to connect and be more productive. The danger of productivity leading to shallow connections is one I personally try to stay fully aware of. As a result I set aside time every Friday to write hand written notes to at least 10 people. Some it’s just to say hello or thanks. Others it’s to send encouragement. Not because I expect anything in return but because I want them to know that I care.
Phone calls too. Making it a point to call, not just when I need something, but out of the blue just to check in on them to see how their doing.
Some people create networks for leverage. I don’t see great value in that. Networks are only as good as what you put into them.
It’s changing so fast I can’t keep up!