Discover Other People’s Passions

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The Lion’s Pride: Networking

Discover Other People’s Passions

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, was legendary for, amongst other things, being an outstanding host. It’s said that when dignitaries were to visit the White House, he would find what they were most interested in (other than affairs of State), then read extensively on those subjects the night before the dignitaries came.

The result, of course, was that FDR was able to intelligently converse in his guests’ fields of interest. As you might imagine, this went a long way in building rapport. This helped when they started talking business.

This is a dynamite principle to follow while networking. Thankfully, technology advances have been made since WW II, which means one doesn’t need to scan volumes of processed wood pulp. The technique is pretty simple, too:

Find the topic. If there’s even a chance of running into an important networking contact, then be ready to talk about his/her field of interest. The first step, obviously, is to determine what s/he’s interested in. This is as simple as asking common acquaintances and/or using Google.

Research. Back in FDR’s time, books were the way to go. Thanks to the web, though, articles can be brought to you almost as soon as you make the query. Generally speaking, several meaty articles should be devoured and internalized.

Find the moment. Spouting newfound knowledge immediately upon contact makes the speaker look like an incredible suck up. Rattling off facts doesn't impress anyone. Guide the conversation by asking questions, but don't make it look like you're guiding it. If the contact delves into the topic him/herself, then by all means pepper in a fact or two. The important part of this step, though, is to ask informed questions. This will make you seem genuinely interested in the topic.

IN THE CARAVAN: Cater to other people's passions to improve your networking.

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Networking

Business Card Pack Rats / Gump-Style Networking / Becoming the Hub Increases Your Brand / Becoming the Hub II: Building Self-Feeding Buzz / Myths and Truisms / Grow Your Network - Go Where The Employers Are! / It's Not What You Know... / Always Be Prepared...Even If You're Not a Boy Scout / How to Make Six Degrees of Separation Work (Even If You're Not Kevin Bacon) / Marketing and Branding Yourself, Part I / Branding II: Your Website or Blog / Finding the Right Contact Person / Give a Little to Get a Little / Why Join Organizations? / First Contact With Mr. Smith, Part 1 / First Contact With Mr. Smith, Part 2: The Winning of The Sally / First Contact With Mr. Smith, Part 3: First Impressions / Asking Mr. Smith for Help, Part 1 / Asking Mr. Smith for Help, Part II: It's Not the Song, It's the Singer / Asking Mr. Smith for Help, Part III: Getting down to business / Networking at Job Fairs / Doing It On the Road / Networking Online / Getting Info From Sally & Co., Part I / Getting Info From Sally & Co., Part II: Asking The Right Questions / Networking Out of Town Part I: Laying the Foundation / Networking Out of Town Part II: Touring for Interviews / Working the Network by Feeding the Network / 'Running' Into Contacts / You Only Get What You Ask For / Press the Flesh II: Small Talk / Press the Flesh Like a Pro / Playing the Percentages / Fishing and the Right Bait / Shrek Style / Get Your Butterflies Flying In Formation / Discover Other People’s Passions / Double Dipping Doing Good / Overbooking Your Way to a New Job / Shaking the Branches of Your Family Tree / Working Your Reunion / Parents of Your Kids' Friends