Sometimes, the answers to life’s challenges are right in
front of our eyes. We just need to focus our attention to see them.
Take the example of social media. It’s a phenomenon that is
here to stay, and it’s fast becoming the most influential way that we
communicate in modern society.
I’m not here to debate whether that’s a good thing or a bad
thing. I’m here to focus your attention on the term social. Because that’s why the whole phenomenon has taken off.
Social media has rocked our world, plain and simple.
Facebook started as a way for college students to network online on their
campus. In less than a decade, it has become one of the most influential tools
in the history of mankind. People use it. Businesses use it. Non-profits use
it. Governments use it. These days, it’s hard to imagine the world without it.
Why? Because it connects us.
There was even a movie made about the Facebook phenomenon
called “The Social Network.” And that’s the whole point. It’s a network. And
networks are the pathways to getting things done.
If networking online is so popular, imagine the results you
can get from networking with others in person, whether it’s one-on-one or in a
group setting.
Something as simple as attending a social gathering with
colleagues from the office can go a long way toward building relationships. In
addition, there are a number of ways that you can network in the community to
cultivate lasting and positive relationships.
Professional organizations are an obvious way to connect
with people in your field. So are civic organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis, and
other service-oriented groups. Your local chamber of commerce most likely
schedules annual and monthly events such as banquets and social mixers, which
are great forums for developing friendships and business connections. I have
one friend who decided that he needed to improve his presentation skills, so he
joined the local Toastmasters Club. Not only has he improved as a communicator,
but the relationships he’s built have led to new business for his company.
Volunteering is a great way to connect with others. Few
things build positive relationships more than working shoulder to shoulder with
colleagues to help a worthy cause. Opportunities range from serving on a
hands-on project such as building homes or delivering meals to shut-ins, to
joining a non-profit board or a committee at your kids’ school or your church,
to coaching youth sports in your community.
Regardless of how you do it, getting out into the community
and interacting with others will build relationships. When you combine that
with the many opportunities for networking online—Facebook, LinkedIn, and
Google+, to name a few—you have before you a wide range of choices for
connecting with others in a personal way. Over time, the relationships that
form your network can present you with opportunities for personal and
professional advancement.
Networking—social or otherwise—is a powerful tool. Look for
opportunities to build your own network. It can be a key to personal
satisfaction and professional success.
Jim Ondrus pioneered the management concept of Leadership Transitioning™. He is president of JA Ondrus, LLC, a Canton, Ohio executive coaching firm.
