My good friend, Al Martella, Executive Coach to the Stars who coached and mentored thousands of financial advisors at a major financial services firm is back with another wonderful nugget this week.
In Al’s words:
“A good friend recommended I read a book called “The Reason I Jump – The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism” by David Mitchell. The book is a New York Times bestseller about a very smart, very self-aware boy with autism. The book taught me so much about the challenges of individuals faced with autism. It also got me thinking about my pre-conceived notions about communications.
It comes very natural to me to be at a networking event and starting a conversation.
It is second nature to me to start a conversation with a stranger.
This isn’t true of everyone.
Andrea has often said to me that she is a “learned extrovert.” It takes time and effort to learn to be an effective networker.
In Andrea’s own words “Networking is now more comfortable to me. It was not always so, until I realized that it is just a way of maintaining good connections with people.”
What’s the point of this networking nugget?
- Be genuine in your networking efforts. What works for others may not work for you. Be yourself.
- Be sincere in your willingness to help other people along the way.
- Be patient, not everyone communicates as you do – give them a chance to get their ideas out.
- Watch their body language – it says so much and ‘speaks’ volumes.
- Enjoy the moment! Be kind to yourself – it will come to you.
What do you think?