Networking 101

Networking is the new currency of transacting the exchange between people and opportunities. If you have been keen enough, you must have heard people saying, “Your network is your net worth,” and I wouldn’t debate that opinion. 

Before we go further, it is essential that we read from the same page. By experience, I have learned that different concepts mean different things to different people. I don’t know what you mean by the term ‘networking.’ Would you be kind enough to share your definition of networking in the comment section?

Understanding the Concept of Networking

Establishing useful networks is only helpful if we deeply appreciate the concept. If you think networking is akin to having a medley of tall relatives from whom you get favors anytime you need something done, you are in for a challenge. 

Let’s simplify it: think of your life as a kid and the opportunities that came your way because of the people you had in your circle. For instance, my earliest interaction with the concept (though ignorantly) occurred in primary school. In my school, the pupils whose parents were teachers had the coveted privilege of eating with teachers. I lacked such a consanguineous privilege, but not once, not twice did I enjoy such feeding programs. I had friendships with teachers’ kids and would pivot myself to reap the benefits accompanying such ties. 

Forget about that. Think about the village or estate football games. It meant something to be on good terms with the boy who owned the ball, right? You could be assured of being included in the team.

What about having a few friends whose families stayed in the city and who would be coming upcountry during the festive season? Such friends meant that your holiday is sorted in more ways than one. 

Did you consider all such efforts as practical networking efforts and privileges?  Life is all about networking—deliberately connecting with people who will connect you to opportunities that can change your life. Networking is not favoritism or corruption. It is finding people who need you and whom you need in return.

How To Connect With People Of Value

Most people know where they need to be and know people who can help them get to those levels but, unfortunately, are at their wits’ end in connecting with such people. Philip Amiola, the brain behind Plenipotent Company, makes this profound statement in his book, ‘The Connection Principle’:

“In life, there are some places you cannot get to on your own; you need someone to introduce you. If you have been diligent and consistent in doing all the right things but have not been receiving the rewards you deserve, it’s not because you’re not good enough. It’s probably because you have not been discovered by the right people.” 

—PHILIP AMIOLA, THE CONNECTION PRINCIPLE.

I can’t state it any better. The problem is that we have an impasse that needs to be unravelled. We have seen great talents waste away because they lack bridges to cross over to the side where their talents and gifts can be rewarded. Mr. Amiola uses a perfect analogy to bring the point home—the Biblical story of Joseph, the dreamer. 

Joseph had a gift of dreams and interpreting dreams. When he was with his family, his gifts were not appreciated, and he lost his reputation and almost lost his life because of the gifts he was endowed with. The hands of providence led him to Egypt, and the very gifts that closed his doors at home opened for him the doors to become the second in command in the world’s greatest kingdom then. 

Here are some networking tips you can employ to connect with people who will improve or appreciate your value:

1. Master Your Trade

If you think of it well, you will realize that networking becomes complete when it is made to be a symbiotic relationship. If you don’t have the opportunities, you should be quite apt in your skill insomuch that you will add value when connected to a particular area. 

We have enough people hungry for networking who can’t deliver the things they claim to be good at. Advancing to networking without sharpening your skills is a recipe for disaster. This stems from the fact that the people you want to network with equally want to find value in you. 

By mastering your trade, you make yourself needed by the people you want to network with. King Solomon said it better:

A man's gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men. PROVERBS 18:16

2. Identify People You Want To Network With And Make Them Notice You

You must be deliberate in identifying the people you want to connect with. The law is simple: It’s always beneficial to connect with people who are better than you and people who need you. While you may admire many people, not all will be useful. Some of them will definitely refuse to consider you or wait to discover what you can add to the table. Don’t waste your time trying to prove a point. 

Image Source:iStock 

After having a list of people you need to network with, you need to research them and see their areas of interest. People will create time for things that align with their areas of interest. Like many people, you may think that High-net-worth individuals are ignoring you because they are discriminatory, but the truth is that they may not be interested in what you are trying to put on the table. If you are looking for a giant to help you see far, is discriminatory, and are keen to find only people of value, why do you think it is wrong if giants refuse to consider people they deem a liability?

Reach out to people you think will be excited about your offer. It could be through engaging their posts on social media and leaving thoughtful comments. Don’t be stupid, and be a yes man. Leave constructive criticisms if need be. People of value appreciate great minds that challenge them to think deeper. Do all you can to ensure the people you want to connect with take notice of you and admire you. Remember, there is power in the first impression.

3. Don’t Act Victim; Appreciate The Law of Mutual Dependence

The greatest mistake many people make when they want to connect with high-value men and women is acting victim. Just pause and think of how many people could be doing that. High net-worth individuals receive emails and messages daily from people who need this and that. They don’t have the time and capacity to attend to all that. Don’t add to that list of people playing the victim—you will definitely be ignored. You should only do this when you want to be ignored. King David feigned madness and survived being murdered by the Philistines. This is the only place where playing victim ever helped a man. 

Again, acting as a victim means you are a liability. No one wants to always associate with people who need this and that. This does not mean you cannot ask for help, but rather, you won’t be the one who is always on the receiving end. 

If you are not a high-net-worth individual, you must accept that you may not be the one to provide opportunities. However, this does not mean you are not useful. You can offer the strength of intellect, bone, and muscle, which is the capital of the poor. 

The law of mutual dependence runs through all classes of society. The poor are not more dependent upon the rich than are the rich upon the poor. While the one class ask a share in the blessings which God has bestowed upon their wealthier neighbors, the other need the faithful service, the strength of brain and bone and muscle, that are the capital of the poor. 

—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 534

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4. Appreciate the Tarrying Time

If there is a lesson you must learn when you are out to find valuable networks, it is the lesson of appreciating the tarrying time. There is something about life that always tries to widen the period between sowing and reaping, and it is meant for our good. 

Concerning networking, we may have to knock on a few doors before some doors are opened. We must learn to be patient. Think about Joseph, for instance. You may think he just walked into Egypt, went to Potiphar’s house, spent a few days in jail, and became Prime Minister. However, if you are a keen reader, you will discover that it took 13 years from when Joseph was auctioned to when he became the second in command time.

The tarrying time is not a time to complain and lament. It is time to increase your value and sharpen your skills. It is time to wait patiently and keep trying. It is time to build your capacity and be the best at your craft. Instead of allowing the tarrying time to break you, use it to learn patience and to iron out your grey areas. 

5. Align Yourself With God’s Purpose

When you remove God from the equation, you may think we are alone, and our success in any line depends on our shrewdness, caprice, and strategy. It is fundamental to appreciate all the good efforts and hard work we invest in working our destiny; however, I have learned that my destiny and success depend not only on that. God is always working behind the scenes, and you will do well to align with his purpose for your life. 

As you jump out to connect with destiny connectors, don’t forget the ultimate destiny connector, who is God. Just imagine that Joseph tried a different thing— the slave trade, for instance. He would have been successful but not as successful as he became, aligning himself with God’s purpose for his life. 

This statement makes me tremble every time I read it:

It is not the capabilities you now possess or ever will have that will give you success. It is that which the Lord can do for you. We need to have far less confidence in what man can do and far more confidence in what God can do for every believing soul. He longs to have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to have you expect great things from Him. He longs to give you understanding in temporal as well as in spiritual matters. He can sharpen the intellect. He can give tact and skill. Put your talents into the work, ask God for wisdom, and it will be given you. 

—Christ’s Object Lessons. P. 146

Conclusion

There are some opportunities in life that you cannot tap into on your own, and you may need to connect with some useful individuals to access them. As you go out to find worthwhile networks, ensure you are out to add value as well. Don’t be a burden to the people on whose shoulders you need to step to see far. Above all, stop and consider God.