As a solopreneur, I have become very familiar with the concept of networking. For many people, networking is a necessary evil in the process of business building or a job search. To gain a more positive perspective, I didn’t have to look much farther than the dictionary. The first definition in most dictionaries is something like “a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross at regular intervals and are knotted or secured at the crossings.” There is a sense of interconnectedness and reliance in this definition. It gave me a new way of thinking about the activity we call networking and the group we call our network.
In my mind, I see an old fisherman sitting on the dock, making his fishing net knot by knot (see how to make your own net here). It’s an interesting metaphor for the activity we call networking. Just like in simple net-making, a “network” begins with one person. That individual connects to another, who connects with another individual. While each person connects with someone new, they always come back to the original connection. This fishing net or net(work) begins to grow slowly in width and length and is only limited by the energy and intent of the net maker.
Just as in fishing, a net(work) expands our reach well beyond what we could do alone. It is a key tool for success. The act of connecting (creating the knot) with someone new takes a bit of work, but the fact that the new connections and reconnections continue to multiply builds strength and purpose. It also requires something of us:
1.Be generous – As part of the net, how can you help others succeed? The best networks are those in which the success of everyone in the network is top of mind. The best connections are built with an active and shared give and take.
2.Get involved – to change the old saying a bit, a net is only as strong as its weakest knot. Take opportunities to do things like volunteer within the network, share your expertise with a larger audience or mentor other members of the network.
3.Know your purpose – A fisherman would not go out trawling for Pollock with a Salmon gill net. Similarly, ensure your network is appropriate to your particular goals and you to theirs.
Next time you go to a networking event or reach out to someone in your network for information or a lead, think about the fishing net. It is used for a clearly defined purpose, made strong by multiple and repeated connections and essential to the success of the fisherman. To me, that is the definition of great networking!
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