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NOTE: THIS PRODUCT STILL USES THE NAMES:
[ARTISAN, GUARDIAN, RATIONAL, IDEALIST].
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-MAIL LIST (ON THE LEFT)
FOR UPDATES AND NOTIFICATIONS ON THE LATEST
DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO THE 4 TEMPERAMENTS.
 Networking
has become the single most important life
skill in determining business and personal
success. Your ability to be connected
within your organization and externally
with your network will determine your
next promotion, sale, or job offer.
Sadly,
most people practice transactional
networking and network only with those
they think they have to in order to complete
a transaction. They engage their network
only when they need to make a sale, want
to find a job, or are looking for an opportunity.
As soon as they find what they’re
looking for, they drop those who helped
them off their radar screen and don’t
talk to them again until they need to
make another transaction.
This
is why networking is considered by many
to be a “dirty word.” If you
have been a victim of, or guilty of, “network
using,” or as I like to say, “network
drive-bys,” this guide is for you.
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Connectional
networking occurs when you take the
time to cultivate a relationship—give
back to it—encouraging it to grow
and prosper. In other words, connectional
networking occurs when you nurture and
care for a relationship, expecting nothing
in return. Real connectors embrace the
philosophy that all things are possible
if you first help those in your network
get what they want and need.
Some
of us believe we’re not good at networking
and give up altogether, failing to see
the strengths that our personality patterns
and unique talents bring to the networking
process.
What differentiates this guide from other
networking books is a simple but essential
realization: people are different and
unique. How you want people to connect
with you is not necessarily how another
person prefers his or her interactions.
Once you understand what drives a person’s
personality, behaviors, and communication
agenda, you will be able to fully connect
with anyone—even at your first meeting.
Perfecting
Connecting®: A Personal Guide to Mastering
Networking in the Workplace
will become your “instruction manual”
for how to speak the language of others
to accelerate your ability to make a long-lasting
connection with a new or existing contact.
Understanding
temperament will help you to increase
your self-awareness, which is the key
to better self-management. When you understand
how people are different from you and
how you can modify your behavior and communication
style to improve your connections, then
you will be on your way to Perfecting
Connecting®.
Perfecting
Connecting®: A Personal Guide to Mastering
Networking in the Workplace
will help you to become a better connector
by helping you understand that each of
the four temperaments approaches networking
differently and that all four have the
potential for equal success. Finding your
unique voice and learning how to capitalize
on it will bring you new connections and
opportunities that you never thought were
possible.
The
belief that only extraverted personality
types can be successful at networking
is simply a myth. Connectional networking
happens one-on-one, and is not about “working
a room” to collect the most business
cards and taking no prisoners.
Perfecting
Connecting®: A Personal Guide to Mastering
Networking in the Workplace
is packed with proven strategies and tools
for improving your connections and cultivating
your network. If you open your mind to
these techniques and practice your newfound
awareness of personality differences,
you’ll see dramatic results in your
professional and personal life.
If
you’re ready to take advantage of
the uniqueness within yourself and others,
would like to expand your network, or
are in a career transition, then reach
for a writing implement and jump in for
an essential journey into Perfecting
Connecting®.
Capitalizing on Your
Natural Style
Many people,
especially introverts, say they’re
not good networkers. However, we can all
be effective connectors once we know how
to capitalize on our personality patterns,
strengths, and natural talents.
Remember
that extraverts don’t own networking.
They may be able to initiate conversation
more easily and may be more confident
attending a party or networking function
where they don’t know a lot of people.
However, real connecting is about relationships,
one-on-one. It is not about “working
a room,” collecting many business
cards. It’s what you do with those
connections that will set you apart from
the network users.
The
different strategies listed below play
into the natural talents and skills associated
with each temperament pattern. In other
words, all are effective strategies, but
the ones listed under your temperament
preference are skills that you’re
likely already good at.
We
can become more effective connectors if
we stretch ourselves to try a technique
that might be out of our comfort zone.
Remember, temperament preference should
never be an excuse for why you can or
can’t do something. Strive to
be better rounded at your connecting by
trying on some of the lessons learned
from the other temperaments.
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The
Idealist
• Surround
yourself with network huggers (your
pod of close friends and family)
who will keep you supported and
offer you encouragement.
• Strive to be authentic and
real when interacting with others.
• Spend an hour each week maintaining
your connections.
• Ask yourself the three connector
questions:
- How can I be
a valuable resource to this person?
- How can this
person be a valuable resource to
me?
- What am I willing
to do to strengthen this relationship?
• Look for ways to be a “bridge”
to your network contacts. Connect
people together who you think should
know each other and watch the world
become much smaller!
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The
Guardian
• Demonstrate
your consistency by following
up, i.e., keeping your contacts
and network “in the loop.”
Be dependable and loyal to your
network.
• Create or follow a step-by-step
process for breaking into a new
market or making a new contact.
• Show sincere appreciation
when others connect you. Be thankful!
• Remember the power of the
handwritten thank-you note
• Assemble an “advocacy
board of directors” consisting
of people who love you and your
services.
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The
Rational
• Envision
how a connection could benefit both
parties. Think big picture and look
forward.
• Create an “expert folder”
and seek out experts to gain knowledge
and new information.
• Develop a powerful introduction
that presents your expertise, track
record, and results right up front
when you meet new people.
• Be systematic and organized
with your network contacts. Let
modern technology support you in
keeping track of your network.
• Think before you speak and
speak with confidence.
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The
Artisan
•
Be tactical and look for opportunities
to be “at the right place
at the right time.”
• Find network shakers in
your community or organization
and link up with them. Keep them
informed of your progress and
growth.
• Remember the strength of
“weak ties.” It’s
not who you know but who others
know that counts.
• The more worlds you have
your feet in, the richer your
connections are, so widen your
spheres of influence. Think diversity!
• Remember the six degrees
of separation. The only thing
separating you from anyone you
want to meet is five or six people.
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