What Does It Mean to Network With Purpose?

What Does It Mean to Network With Purpose?

This was the question posed to a panel of thought leaders at the “Can We Talk” breakfast earlier this week hosted by the World Trade Center Seattle. The majority of events I attend check the box of being inspiring, but don’t address the incredibly important question of “what now…how can I apply this to my own life”. Each panelist shared not only insights from their own experience but plenty of tactical advice for how to network in a way that is genuine and authentic.

Thinking through the lens of my work teaching and speaking on How To Build A Personal Board of Advisors, this conversation was especially meaningful as many of the people that we get to know and ultimately could have on our own Personal Board of Advisors are people we meet at professional events. It’s important to be intentional about how we show up and thoughtful about the impression we make.

The main takeaway from the panel was their consensus that networking with purpose means developing the ability to cultivate authentic connections. Below are a few of my favorite actionable insights and tweetable moments shared by the panelist.

Know Yourself and Own Personal Brand 

• Know who you are, who you want to be and put a strategy around achieving it  
• Develop a Personal Board of Directors – people that can share ideas with, ask advice, gain new perspectives and learn from.  
• “Networking is about taking what you know about yourself and using it to engage with others.” — Shaunta Hyde 

Be Intentional & Strategic  

• “Surround yourself with the people you want to be like.” — Ahmad Daher
• Personalize your approach. Instead of “what do you do” try asking “what is exciting going on in your life right now”. Not only will you be memorable but you’re making it a more natural conversation where they are treated as a human and not “access” to something you want.
• “Make a conscious decision and decide BEFORE you go into an event what you want to get out of it.” Janene Drafs– Moderator

Focus on Genuine Connections- not Transactions

• Focus on making a real connecting with someone before you ask for something from them. Ask questions when you meet them. Engage with their content online by liking and commenting.
• Curiosity plays an important role in creating genuine connections with people.
• “Listen to understand somebody. Don’t listen just to reply.” — Ahmad Daher This was a great point about listening to what someone says with a genuine curiosity to hear their answer versus anticipating when there is a break and you can speak again.
• Shaunta Hyde gave an excellent example of how she prioritizes genuine connections while balancing a full personal and professional calendar- she uses her commute time to set up 10-minute calls with people. This allows her to create the time to connect with those that ask!

What does networking with purpose meant to you? How do you create meaningful connections with people you meet? Leave me a comment below!