Zig Ziglar puts it like this:
You can have anything you want if you help enough other people get everything they want!
I guess that is why I enjoy networking so much. It’s a great opportunity to find out other people’s needs and requirements and see if you can help them accelerate their successes. Often, it’s just the different perspective of your own points of view that can unlock something in another person, allowing them to see the way more clearly. Other times, you just happen to have access to the very resource that person has been incessantly hunting for months, and a simple phone call can help create yet more drive for that individual.
Whilst some people may not do it for whatever reason they choose, my standpoint on networking has changed a little recently.
In fact, as a result of looking back over the last year, I came to the realisation that we are all given something unique; a gift, talent or skill, something that can help many other people. No it may be forgivable for you not to use that talent for yourself (why you would ever want to do that is beyond me but it is so often the case!), what is completely inexcusable is when you stop other people from being able to access it!
I was recently coaching a salesperson who wasn’t particularly enjoying cold calling (do any of us?) and who told me that he would really rather not do it. Now this guy provides a service that literally has the potential to save people’s lives economically, but because he got his fair share of rejection, his desire to pick up the phone was understandably diminished. When he started to realise the massive negative impact of his potential lack of action, he (albeit begrudgingly) picked up the phone!
The point I want you to realise is that you do not have the right to withhold your talents, abilities, contacts, passion, energy etc from those around you. You should take every opportunity to find out how you can add value to the lives of others around you, and thus by assisting in their success, you are almost guaranteeing your very own!
Don’t take my word for it; check the Bible! Jesus himself said that “the path to greatness is through service to the many” and the parable of the talents clearly says that if you do not use what you are given, it shall be taken from you!
What can you offer? Your challenge is to find out the needs and requirements of those around you and offer to help them before you ask for help yourself. This is not to say that you should refuse assistance, but your focus should be on the success of others. Once this is truly your focus, you will notice wonderful things starting to happen inadvertently in your own circumstances.