Which One Are You?
To be successful in networking, you need to know your networks, yourself, your business, your goals, and your audience. Most importantly, you need to know the type of networker you are, and the best way for you to make the most of your networking capabilities and circles.
The art of networking contains many types. Some of the main categories include takers, givers, and brokers. Takers are the ones who have their own best interests at heart. They put themselves first, and never beat around the bush to get what they want. Takers also try to get other people to serve them while carefully guarding their own expertise and time.
Takers are the ones who have their own best interests at heart. They put themselves first, and never beat around the bush to get what they want.
Givers in networking are the ones who are constantly matching, linking, and generously helping and supporting others through networking. Givers link themselves to others with positive reinforcement and positive energy. Givers do not want anything in return, and stay true to their acts of goodwill by doing their best to add value to their connections and help.
Brokers are networking individuals who choose to negotiate and broker deals via networking. They opt to help others after they have been given help, or offer to assist and connect others after they have been assisted. They exercise their networking capabilities only when it is in their favor and to their benefit. This type of networking is usually inconsistent and reactive, depending upon the energy required of others.
Brokers are networking individuals who choose to negotiate and broker deals via networking.
As networkers, we make daily decisions about whether we are takers, givers, or brokers. Givers have by far the most authentic and powerful networking approach. As a giver, you are offering assistance, sharing knowledge, and making valuable introductions. Company owners and startups should have a strong interest in fostering giving behavior through networking—and create a willingness to help others achieve their goals. This lies at the heart of effective collaboration, innovation, quality improvement, and service excellence. Benefits can multiply quickly as a giver and their reputation of generous behavior resurface in different areas such as business, marketing, and karma.
by WAFA ALOBAIDAT
