Conscious Networking: The Understated Power of Authentic Connection in the Networking World

Welcome to a series of blogs on conscious networking. In this blog, we'll explore the essence of conscious networking.

The Essence of Conscious Networking

Let's explore the core principles of conscious networking and its impact on establishing genuine connections within the industry. Conscious networking revolves around principles that prioritise meaningful and authentic connections over transactional interactions. Simple right?

Here are the core principles and their impact on establishing genuine connections within the industry:

Authenticity is Attractive

Be genuine to yourself in all interactions.

Authenticity fosters trust, as people are more likely to connect with and support individuals who express their true selves. It lays the foundation for lasting relationships built on honesty and transparency.

Active Listening is another level of attention

Practice attentive and empathetic listening.

When you genuinely listen to others, you understand their needs, concerns, and aspirations. This leads to more meaningful conversations and connections, as people appreciate being heard and understood. It isn’t always easy with so many distractions around us. I was recently at an event where the space was very noisy so I found it incredibly hard to listen effectively but that didn’t stop me from actively listening to those I could hear in the moment.

Give and Take is for winners

Foster a give-and-take mindset in networking.

By offering help, support, insights, or resources without expecting immediate returns, Others are more likely to reciprocate, leading to a mutually beneficial network of support. We have all heard- what goes around comes around right?

Consistent Engagement requires little time and a strong commitment.

Show up consistently in networking spaces.

Regular engagement helps build familiarity and trust. Being present consistently reinforces your commitment to the network, making you a reliable and trustworthy connection. Remember it can take up to 32 touchpoints for someone to reach the relevance stage of a client journey so whether someone in your network is a potential client or not doesn't matter. If they know your ideal clients you need them to find you relevant and buy into you too.

Be Intentional

Be purposeful in your networking efforts.

Setting clear intentions before you attend an event ensures that your networking activities align with your goals and values. This leads to more focused and relevant connections that contribute to your professional growth. Know who it is you need to spend time with, who you can help, who you would like to collaborate with. Foster those relationships.

Diversity and Inclusion are still underrated so make it your POD

Embrace diversity and inclusivity in your network.

A diverse network brings different perspectives, experiences, and opportunities. It fosters a sense of belonging, making connections more robust and reflective of the broader industry landscape. MIB International is a network that has a diversity and inclusion panel that is helping to educate the broader international network on this topic as well as having them advise the company on what they too can do to improve.

Long-Term Relationship Building is a must, it's like a marriage you have to always work at it!

Prioritise building long-term relationships over short-term gains.

Investing time and effort in cultivating lasting connections contributes to a network that stands the test of time. Long-term relationships provide ongoing support and collaboration opportunities in any business, community or network, at the end of the day a community is built on a collective set of values and relationships and a network, in my opinion, should be built via a positive and engaging community at the root.

Don't forget your ethics and bring value to your networking

Focus on adding value to others.

When your networking efforts revolve around providing value—whether through insights, assistance, or collaboration—it establishes you as a valuable and respected member of the network. This is the same in any community, those people you see out helping when there is a fundraiser, volunteering at events, on committees and creating opportunities for others to connect. Remember, we’re human first. We want to feel seen, valued and heard.

Conscious networking, guided by these principles, creates an environment where professionals connect authentically, collaborate genuinely, and contribute positively to the collective growth of the industry.

Next week I want to look at authenticity and 10 ways to be authentically you when networking.

Aislíng