September 24, 2025 • 18 mins
Are you networking the right way to build meaningful, trust based business relationships?
This week, we explore essential keys to effective networking for emerging leaders together.
We uncover how to:
This week, we explore essential keys to effective networking for emerging leaders together.
We uncover how to:
- Choose intentional, value-aligned networking events that match your mission
- Shift from transactional selling to authentic relationship building
- Embrace your natural communication style while mastering follow-up etiquette
- Use birthday and milestone acknowledgments to deepen connections
- Ask better questions to unlock meaningful conversations
- Leverage alumni groups and specialty communities for long-term support
- Build referral networks through trust and giving first mindset
- Understand why the “six degrees of separation” theory means your dream contact is closer than you think
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This podcast is a proud member of the Teach Better
podcast network, Better Today, Better Tomorrow, and the podcast to
get you there.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
You can find out.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
More at Chiefbetter dot com slash podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Results don't come before relationships. The relationships are everything in
building relationships is a great opportunity at a network event.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Be the CQUA, the chief question asker. I think if
you continue to ask questions, get a little bit deeper.
That's how you build a real positive relationship.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
Do you want to be a leader in a constantly
changing world? Our emerging leaders look different, come from various
backgrounds and from all different age groups. Leadership is changing
and it's hard to keep up. But the good news
you can be a leader too. You can be an
e merging leader. Welcome to the Limitless Leadership louanch A
(00:52):
try generational conversation for emerging leaders. Come spend some time
with us to discuss leadership from three angles. The coach,
Jim Johnson, the professor, Doctor Renema Kareem, the host, John
Gering a monthly guest. And you get in on the
conversation on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to follow
(01:12):
us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and speaker. So come on
in and make yourself comfortable.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
It's a special solo edition of the Limitless Leadership Lounge.
I am John Garing, joint as always by doctor Nima
Kareem and coach Jim Johnson, and we bring you try
generational conversations for you, the emerging leader. And today's conversation
surrounds around something that a lot of us don't necessarily
love to do, but we know it's important, especially as
business owners and leaders, and that is networking. We're going
(01:42):
to bring you three keys to becoming a more effective networker,
whether that be at events or on one on one calls,
or however you choose to network. Doctor Kareem has the
first networking key that we're going to talk about today,
and you're going to talk about finding the right networking events.
Let's talk a little bit more about that.
Speaker 5 (02:02):
Yeah, thanks John. I think network there is this code.
Your networth is your network, and that is why we
need to find those right networking event or spaces where
we can really have our purpose met. So not just
randomly going to in the Facebook there's a networking event,
(02:25):
guys come in and then you end up talking to
people who are not adding any value to you. So
that would not be a purposeful and intentional networking event.
So I will give you an example. We recently three
of us were part of the Global Leadership Summit, and
why we are choosing Global Leadership Summit because they are
(02:47):
people who have the leadership mindset, who wants to grow.
We are all into that zone of learning and growing
making us better. So when you enter the conversation, you
will find the sink between each other. You meet with people,
you can talk about which was your favorite episode, how
are you going to apply it? All those kind of stuff,
(03:09):
because that is your zone. So I believe that specialty event.
We need to find out a specialty event where we
can meet people who have shared the same values or
skills that we can learn from like this. The beginning
of this month, I went to the Writer's Digest conference
and it was worth it because I know there will
(03:31):
be writers, best selling novelists, publishers, so all of them,
and I get to make that group of people. I
get to meet with those group of people hung around
and we have a good friendship now, sending mails, sending
our script getting feedback, So adding the value to the
time you spend on communicating with people. So I think
(03:54):
that is so crucial, not just randomly searched, but finding
your even with intentionality and then connect and John, I
know that it's the next stage is the communication, like
how do you connect?
Speaker 6 (04:08):
What is the etiquette? Many of us can go there.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
I'm an extrovert, so that is easy for me, but
many of our listeners might not be. So what are
the tricks that you think people might be using.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
We see so many mistakes that people may get networking events,
and we're probably all guilty of these. Number one is
what you just mentioned RENEWMA, and that is going to
the wrong events. I am not going to go to
the Rochester Beekeepers Society, right, that is not going to
be up my alley. I might go to the Rochester
Podcasters Society, though, So you got to choose the right
(04:41):
events so you're not wasting your time or connecting with
the wrong people, and then you're also wasting their time.
And then the other piece of this, which is so important,
is the best practices in the etiquette when you're at
a networking event. A lot of people, a lot of
young business owners especially I've been there before. We go
to the events and we we want to sell our
services because this is why we're at the event. In fact,
(05:03):
we have a goal. We're going to get twenty new
leads from this networking event. So we go out, we
pass out business cards, and we tell people about all
of the great things that we do for our business.
But what we forget is that results don't come before relationships.
Relationships are everything in Building relationships is a great opportunity
(05:23):
at a network event, but you can also make a
very poor first impression at lightning speed if you're the
guy or the woman handing out business cards to everybody,
clearly just trying to sell your services. So you have
to remember that people are all going to those networking
events for the same reason. They have services that they'd
love to sell too, and so just banging your head
(05:44):
against the wall by trying to get all these people
who are there to sell to buy is not the
effective strategy. What is, though, is building relationships with people,
maybe making referral partners out of people, or just having
a good conversation share ideas at an industry event where
you might pick up something valuable for your own business.
(06:05):
Just remember that results never come before relationships. And that's
the number one mistake I see at networking events as
people just trying to sell their things when they don't
realize how important that relationship building step is. So that's
how we behave while we're at networking events. I know, Renuma,
you're an extrovert.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Me too.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
I love to talk to people at networking event some
people though not as much. They're a little bit more
reserved and in stepping outside of their comfort zone. But
an area where we also see challenges is after the
networking event and staying in touch. And that's something that
coach is great with. So Coach tell us a little
bit about how you so effectively stay in touch with
people you meet.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
It's a great point, John, and I loved your quote.
Since you get results in your business, it starts with relationships.
And I know that I've I've forgotten that, and I
was one of those people. I'm an Ami Ambi verd.
I wouldn't call myself an introvert, but I'm not a
total extrovert. So I've struggled various times in my life
going to network events because of the mindset that John,
(07:07):
you just clarified, and I hope our listeners listen closely,
is that you should be looking to add value first,
and that's something I know I did very poorly when
I first started my speaking business, when I did a
full time as, I was thinking how can I find
more clients, And it's just not a good mindset and
the mindset. So answer your question specifically. One of the
(07:29):
things I think I've gotten much better at is in
building relationships. You've got to find ways to stay in touch.
So I'm going to give you a couple ideas. One
is I now have quite a big following on LinkedIn.
I also have a decent following on Facebook, and each
day they post their people that you are connected to
their birthdays, So I wish everybody a happy birthday because
(07:50):
I think that's really important. It's not that doesn't take
me that long. Also on LinkedIn, they have usually work
anniversaries and also new positions, so I will congratulate people
for that as well. So it just makes a connection.
And then if they respond to me, then I will
send them something of value. It might be our podcast,
(08:11):
it might be my newsletter, it might be a blog
I've written. So I'm not really trying to sell them,
just trying to share some information. And I think the
next step is staying in touch with them is sending
them even things of value that maybe you don't do.
So yesterday I talked to a school superintendent and I
sent them a podcast to something I really thought would
(08:32):
be available, and it wasn't our podcast, although I send
her podcasts out a lot because I think they're very good.
Another thing that I do, and I know we share
this before, but I think it's worth saying again, is
I do personal videos every day, and I've done probably
for the last over two years. I've done a minimum
of one personal video each day, and usually it's more
(08:53):
than that. Today I send four album recording this and
that could be a happy birthday, it could be a
check in. I heard a really good idea the other
day that I haven't started, but I think people that
are close to I love this idea and I haven't
done it yet, but I'm going to start. Is just
checking in and saying, hey, is there anything that I
could pray for you about? Because I'm a person of faith.
(09:14):
I think that's another step that I'm going to add
that I just heard the other day and I think
it would be a great idea. And then the last
thing that I want to share is after the networking
event is then you've got to get one on one meetings.
And whether it's in person or in a virtual setting
like we're doing with Zoom, is then how you connect
(09:35):
and make it effective for both parties. And here's a
few things. One is, I like the question what are
you excited about? So you're trying to figure out the
person's passion little bit. The other thing is I'm becoming
much more bold, and I think people appreciate it in
asking about their family, because family, for most people is important.
(09:56):
And then if I can get their contact information when
I put in my phone, I will put Susie's married
to John, okay, and they have two children, and the
children's name is Megan and Riley. Okay. So just because
if you meet again, you can start immediately by saying, Hey,
how's Meghan and Riley doing. Wow, this guy cares a
(10:19):
little bit, he knows a little bit about me. He's
kept that and thing. So I think that's a really
powerful thing. And then as you get to build that relationship,
a couple questions I think are really powerful is one,
who do you know that I should know? I don't
think that's a question you ask early.
Speaker 6 (10:38):
I think that's something as.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
You build a relationship, and it maybe even a couple
calls before you ask that question, but I think to
really because everybody has good contacts and you never know
where positively because we always heard about the warm referrals
as opposed to cold calling. So I think that's a
really powerful thing, is getting people that are willing to
introduce as you build relationship. And then the other one
(11:02):
is I used to say how can I help you?
But I think that's a little too shallow, and what
I'm asking a lot more now is how can we
help or support each other and so that we're in
this together, because when it's all one sided, I think
that's that can really lead to difficult discussions. And the
(11:22):
last thing I'll close with is that I believe I
gave you a few questions, but be at the cqua
the chief question asker. I think if you continue to
ask questions, get a little bit deeper. That's how you
build a real positive relationship. And that's happened. I'll just
finish a little final example. I be friend of the
(11:42):
superintendent in Kansas and we still do a monthly call.
We've become pretty good friends. And it was about the
fourth call, I finally said to him. I won't use
his real name, but I say, Joe, hey, I really
appreciate what we're building here. I'm a speaker. Is there
any way you might be able to introduce me to
someone in your network, for maybe the Kansas School Administrators?
(12:04):
And because we had built their relationship, he immediately did
and I ended up speaking at the Kansas School Administrators.
But that's something you can't ask the first question of
the first time you meet somebody. You can build that
relationship with John emphasize and RENEWMA picking the right groups.
But those are some ideas that has been very helpful
(12:24):
for me in building those relationships which are so important.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
RENEWMA. Tell us a little bit about some of the
networking events that you've been to that have been really
effective for your nonprofit organization and some of the other
work that you do.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
One of the things that I have maintained is my
alumni associations. I have alumni association with ben State, then
my not undergraduate college, not South University.
Speaker 6 (12:50):
Many people will think that, oh, it's a waste of.
Speaker 5 (12:53):
Time again hanging around with your university people, but those
are the places where you are forming those long term
relationship and for my nonprofit, they are the one who
always came up and helped me out with the fundraising,
connecting with major people, major player in the field. So
(13:15):
I would advise our listeners, if you belong to any
alumni association, attend the event because those are the places
where you will find the right resources because they also
trust you. You have that common relatability. Oh a Penn stater,
oh lions and all those kinds of stuff, So we
(13:36):
need those common ground Another thing I have found out always,
even if it's a programmer of some meeting, I have
been invited to being approachable, smiling, nodding, listening to when
somebody is speaking, I know that I want to connect
with that person.
Speaker 6 (13:54):
I will show that eagerness.
Speaker 5 (13:56):
I will reach out and talk to those people and
I have found out and also speak out, make yourself
seen that you have something to offer, and then in
those sessions people will find you out and then get
you involved. So those are the things I think. Approachability,
smiling a lot, getting connected with your alumni association. There's
(14:20):
a one story when I was in the college, I
needed to connect with one top CEO who can be
a part of our board of directors, but it was
so hard to reach him out and we found out
that there was this opening of a bank where he
will be attendee. And despite like we were like twenty
one years old, we managed to get the invitation being
(14:44):
at that very boring banking seminar.
Speaker 7 (14:47):
Just to stay connected with those CEOs, sometimes you have
to strategize those elements to connect with intentionality. And at
the end, I would I found a book very useful.
It was Keith Rasis Never Eat Alone. Yes, so if
you guys can check that book out.
Speaker 5 (15:06):
I think it's a great resource.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Great book. Yeah, coach, any final thoughts that I do
have one more point.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
I'll just say that a couple of things that Number one,
remember as you're building your network, that you start to
build an email list, because I have quite a few followers,
for example, on LinkedIn, but LinkedIn always changes what's going on,
so I don't have control of that. But you have
correctly controlled your email. So find ways that you know,
(15:32):
like I have a newsletter and a blog and.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
We also have AO.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
We love to see you sign up for our YouTube
channel on the Limitless Leadership Lounge because those are ways
that you can grow your list. And the last thing
I'll say is if you do have access, like I've
got a published aufor twice now, is I will bring
if I meet somebody for breakfast or lunch, I'll bring
them a copy of my book and I'll sign in
(15:57):
for them. Because Peter Thompson has been a guest a
couple on our podcast always says those types of little gifts,
people usually don't throw out those. They may throw out
a pen, that they can throw out a book. Okay,
just a couple ideas with that. If you have a resource,
thating is part of your rep which are to be
willing to give first.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Yeah, yeah, And I just wanted to emphasize how important
this is because you might be listening thinking, you know
what my business is going, okay, or I'm not a
business owner, I don't really need a network. I'm I
work for somebody else already. But just wants you to
remember how important this is. Because there is a theory
and I can't prove or disprove this theory, but I
think it's powerful. Nonetheless, this point of six points of connection,
(16:40):
and if you think about that and how important networking is.
The idea behind this is that anybody in the world
that you want to meet is six introductions away. So
if you want to meet the Queen of England, then
you are six introductions away because you know somebody who
knows somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody who knows
somebody who knows the Queen of England. And if that's
(17:02):
who you want to meet, you got to put in
the work build those relationships, one level at a time.
And it is crazy to think about, but it's true.
We are all so interconnected and if we don't take
that first step of networking, like Numa said, finding those
right events, if that's the way that you choose to network,
like I was talking about, building those relationships before expecting results,
and then what Coach was talking about all those brilliant
(17:24):
ways that he follows up with people in his network,
then you're never going to make those steps toward who
you want to meet and where you ultimately want to be.
So that's a good thing to remember today that relationships
are everything and networking is so important whether you're a
business owner or a leader. And speaking of networking, we'd
love to network with you too if you found value
(17:44):
with this episode, Coach said, subscribe to our YouTube channel
so you get more of these full length episodes and
some little short highlight clips from the episode that we
post up there, and we'd love for you to also
connect with us on LinkedIn any of us Doctor Numa, Kareem,
Coach Jim Johnson, or myself.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
John Hearing.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
So we'll be back next week for another conversation here
between us three generations at another guest on the Limitless
Leadership Lounge.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
Thank you for joining us this week at the Limitless
Leadership Lounge. To listen to this episode again and to
find previous episodes, check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
and Spreaker. You can also get in on the conversation
find us on Facebook and Instagram. Then tell three of
your friends to join in as well, Coach, Brnuma and John.
We'll be back again next week for another try generational
(18:30):
leadership discussion. We'll talk to you then on the Limitless
Leadership Lounge
This podcast is a proud member of the Teach Better
podcast network, Better Today, Better Tomorrow, and the podcast to
get you there.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
You can find out.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
More at Chiefbetter dot com slash podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Results don't come before relationships. The relationships are everything in
building relationships is a great opportunity at a network event.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Be the CQUA, the chief question asker. I think if
you continue to ask questions, get a little bit deeper.
That's how you build a real positive relationship.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
Do you want to be a leader in a constantly
changing world? Our emerging leaders look different, come from various
backgrounds and from all different age groups. Leadership is changing
and it's hard to keep up. But the good news
you can be a leader too. You can be an
e merging leader. Welcome to the Limitless Leadership louanch A
(00:52):
try generational conversation for emerging leaders. Come spend some time
with us to discuss leadership from three angles. The coach,
Jim Johnson, the professor, Doctor Renema Kareem, the host, John
Gering a monthly guest. And you get in on the
conversation on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to follow
(01:12):
us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and speaker. So come on
in and make yourself comfortable.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
It's a special solo edition of the Limitless Leadership Lounge.
I am John Garing, joint as always by doctor Nima
Kareem and coach Jim Johnson, and we bring you try
generational conversations for you, the emerging leader. And today's conversation
surrounds around something that a lot of us don't necessarily
love to do, but we know it's important, especially as
business owners and leaders, and that is networking. We're going
(01:42):
to bring you three keys to becoming a more effective networker,
whether that be at events or on one on one calls,
or however you choose to network. Doctor Kareem has the
first networking key that we're going to talk about today,
and you're going to talk about finding the right networking events.
Let's talk a little bit more about that.
Speaker 5 (02:02):
Yeah, thanks John. I think network there is this code.
Your networth is your network, and that is why we
need to find those right networking event or spaces where
we can really have our purpose met. So not just
randomly going to in the Facebook there's a networking event,
(02:25):
guys come in and then you end up talking to
people who are not adding any value to you. So
that would not be a purposeful and intentional networking event.
So I will give you an example. We recently three
of us were part of the Global Leadership Summit, and
why we are choosing Global Leadership Summit because they are
(02:47):
people who have the leadership mindset, who wants to grow.
We are all into that zone of learning and growing
making us better. So when you enter the conversation, you
will find the sink between each other. You meet with people,
you can talk about which was your favorite episode, how
are you going to apply it? All those kind of stuff,
(03:09):
because that is your zone. So I believe that specialty event.
We need to find out a specialty event where we
can meet people who have shared the same values or
skills that we can learn from like this. The beginning
of this month, I went to the Writer's Digest conference
and it was worth it because I know there will
(03:31):
be writers, best selling novelists, publishers, so all of them,
and I get to make that group of people. I
get to meet with those group of people hung around
and we have a good friendship now, sending mails, sending
our script getting feedback, So adding the value to the
time you spend on communicating with people. So I think
(03:54):
that is so crucial, not just randomly searched, but finding
your even with intentionality and then connect and John, I
know that it's the next stage is the communication, like
how do you connect?
Speaker 6 (04:08):
What is the etiquette? Many of us can go there.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
I'm an extrovert, so that is easy for me, but
many of our listeners might not be. So what are
the tricks that you think people might be using.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
We see so many mistakes that people may get networking events,
and we're probably all guilty of these. Number one is
what you just mentioned RENEWMA, and that is going to
the wrong events. I am not going to go to
the Rochester Beekeepers Society, right, that is not going to
be up my alley. I might go to the Rochester
Podcasters Society, though, So you got to choose the right
(04:41):
events so you're not wasting your time or connecting with
the wrong people, and then you're also wasting their time.
And then the other piece of this, which is so important,
is the best practices in the etiquette when you're at
a networking event. A lot of people, a lot of
young business owners especially I've been there before. We go
to the events and we we want to sell our
services because this is why we're at the event. In fact,
(05:03):
we have a goal. We're going to get twenty new
leads from this networking event. So we go out, we
pass out business cards, and we tell people about all
of the great things that we do for our business.
But what we forget is that results don't come before relationships.
Relationships are everything in Building relationships is a great opportunity
(05:23):
at a network event, but you can also make a
very poor first impression at lightning speed if you're the
guy or the woman handing out business cards to everybody,
clearly just trying to sell your services. So you have
to remember that people are all going to those networking
events for the same reason. They have services that they'd
love to sell too, and so just banging your head
(05:44):
against the wall by trying to get all these people
who are there to sell to buy is not the
effective strategy. What is, though, is building relationships with people,
maybe making referral partners out of people, or just having
a good conversation share ideas at an industry event where
you might pick up something valuable for your own business.
(06:05):
Just remember that results never come before relationships. And that's
the number one mistake I see at networking events as
people just trying to sell their things when they don't
realize how important that relationship building step is. So that's
how we behave while we're at networking events. I know, Renuma,
you're an extrovert.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Me too.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
I love to talk to people at networking event some
people though not as much. They're a little bit more
reserved and in stepping outside of their comfort zone. But
an area where we also see challenges is after the
networking event and staying in touch. And that's something that
coach is great with. So Coach tell us a little
bit about how you so effectively stay in touch with
people you meet.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
It's a great point, John, and I loved your quote.
Since you get results in your business, it starts with relationships.
And I know that I've I've forgotten that, and I
was one of those people. I'm an Ami Ambi verd.
I wouldn't call myself an introvert, but I'm not a
total extrovert. So I've struggled various times in my life
going to network events because of the mindset that John,
(07:07):
you just clarified, and I hope our listeners listen closely,
is that you should be looking to add value first,
and that's something I know I did very poorly when
I first started my speaking business, when I did a
full time as, I was thinking how can I find
more clients, And it's just not a good mindset and
the mindset. So answer your question specifically. One of the
(07:29):
things I think I've gotten much better at is in
building relationships. You've got to find ways to stay in touch.
So I'm going to give you a couple ideas. One
is I now have quite a big following on LinkedIn.
I also have a decent following on Facebook, and each
day they post their people that you are connected to
their birthdays, So I wish everybody a happy birthday because
(07:50):
I think that's really important. It's not that doesn't take
me that long. Also on LinkedIn, they have usually work
anniversaries and also new positions, so I will congratulate people
for that as well. So it just makes a connection.
And then if they respond to me, then I will
send them something of value. It might be our podcast,
(08:11):
it might be my newsletter, it might be a blog
I've written. So I'm not really trying to sell them,
just trying to share some information. And I think the
next step is staying in touch with them is sending
them even things of value that maybe you don't do.
So yesterday I talked to a school superintendent and I
sent them a podcast to something I really thought would
(08:32):
be available, and it wasn't our podcast, although I send
her podcasts out a lot because I think they're very good.
Another thing that I do, and I know we share
this before, but I think it's worth saying again, is
I do personal videos every day, and I've done probably
for the last over two years. I've done a minimum
of one personal video each day, and usually it's more
(08:53):
than that. Today I send four album recording this and
that could be a happy birthday, it could be a
check in. I heard a really good idea the other
day that I haven't started, but I think people that
are close to I love this idea and I haven't
done it yet, but I'm going to start. Is just
checking in and saying, hey, is there anything that I
could pray for you about? Because I'm a person of faith.
(09:14):
I think that's another step that I'm going to add
that I just heard the other day and I think
it would be a great idea. And then the last
thing that I want to share is after the networking
event is then you've got to get one on one meetings.
And whether it's in person or in a virtual setting
like we're doing with Zoom, is then how you connect
(09:35):
and make it effective for both parties. And here's a
few things. One is, I like the question what are
you excited about? So you're trying to figure out the
person's passion little bit. The other thing is I'm becoming
much more bold, and I think people appreciate it in
asking about their family, because family, for most people is important.
(09:56):
And then if I can get their contact information when
I put in my phone, I will put Susie's married
to John, okay, and they have two children, and the
children's name is Megan and Riley. Okay. So just because
if you meet again, you can start immediately by saying, Hey,
how's Meghan and Riley doing. Wow, this guy cares a
(10:19):
little bit, he knows a little bit about me. He's
kept that and thing. So I think that's a really
powerful thing. And then as you get to build that relationship,
a couple questions I think are really powerful is one,
who do you know that I should know? I don't
think that's a question you ask early.
Speaker 6 (10:38):
I think that's something as.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
You build a relationship, and it maybe even a couple
calls before you ask that question, but I think to
really because everybody has good contacts and you never know
where positively because we always heard about the warm referrals
as opposed to cold calling. So I think that's a
really powerful thing, is getting people that are willing to
introduce as you build relationship. And then the other one
(11:02):
is I used to say how can I help you?
But I think that's a little too shallow, and what
I'm asking a lot more now is how can we
help or support each other and so that we're in
this together, because when it's all one sided, I think
that's that can really lead to difficult discussions. And the
(11:22):
last thing I'll close with is that I believe I
gave you a few questions, but be at the cqua
the chief question asker. I think if you continue to
ask questions, get a little bit deeper. That's how you
build a real positive relationship. And that's happened. I'll just
finish a little final example. I be friend of the
(11:42):
superintendent in Kansas and we still do a monthly call.
We've become pretty good friends. And it was about the
fourth call, I finally said to him. I won't use
his real name, but I say, Joe, hey, I really
appreciate what we're building here. I'm a speaker. Is there
any way you might be able to introduce me to
someone in your network, for maybe the Kansas School Administrators?
(12:04):
And because we had built their relationship, he immediately did
and I ended up speaking at the Kansas School Administrators.
But that's something you can't ask the first question of
the first time you meet somebody. You can build that
relationship with John emphasize and RENEWMA picking the right groups.
But those are some ideas that has been very helpful
(12:24):
for me in building those relationships which are so important.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
RENEWMA. Tell us a little bit about some of the
networking events that you've been to that have been really
effective for your nonprofit organization and some of the other
work that you do.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
One of the things that I have maintained is my
alumni associations. I have alumni association with ben State, then
my not undergraduate college, not South University.
Speaker 6 (12:50):
Many people will think that, oh, it's a waste of.
Speaker 5 (12:53):
Time again hanging around with your university people, but those
are the places where you are forming those long term
relationship and for my nonprofit, they are the one who
always came up and helped me out with the fundraising,
connecting with major people, major player in the field. So
(13:15):
I would advise our listeners, if you belong to any
alumni association, attend the event because those are the places
where you will find the right resources because they also
trust you. You have that common relatability. Oh a Penn stater,
oh lions and all those kinds of stuff, So we
(13:36):
need those common ground Another thing I have found out always,
even if it's a programmer of some meeting, I have
been invited to being approachable, smiling, nodding, listening to when
somebody is speaking, I know that I want to connect
with that person.
Speaker 6 (13:54):
I will show that eagerness.
Speaker 5 (13:56):
I will reach out and talk to those people and
I have found out and also speak out, make yourself
seen that you have something to offer, and then in
those sessions people will find you out and then get
you involved. So those are the things I think. Approachability,
smiling a lot, getting connected with your alumni association. There's
(14:20):
a one story when I was in the college, I
needed to connect with one top CEO who can be
a part of our board of directors, but it was
so hard to reach him out and we found out
that there was this opening of a bank where he
will be attendee. And despite like we were like twenty
one years old, we managed to get the invitation being
(14:44):
at that very boring banking seminar.
Speaker 7 (14:47):
Just to stay connected with those CEOs, sometimes you have
to strategize those elements to connect with intentionality. And at
the end, I would I found a book very useful.
It was Keith Rasis Never Eat Alone. Yes, so if
you guys can check that book out.
Speaker 5 (15:06):
I think it's a great resource.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Great book. Yeah, coach, any final thoughts that I do
have one more point.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
I'll just say that a couple of things that Number one,
remember as you're building your network, that you start to
build an email list, because I have quite a few followers,
for example, on LinkedIn, but LinkedIn always changes what's going on,
so I don't have control of that. But you have
correctly controlled your email. So find ways that you know,
(15:32):
like I have a newsletter and a blog and.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
We also have AO.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
We love to see you sign up for our YouTube
channel on the Limitless Leadership Lounge because those are ways
that you can grow your list. And the last thing
I'll say is if you do have access, like I've
got a published aufor twice now, is I will bring
if I meet somebody for breakfast or lunch, I'll bring
them a copy of my book and I'll sign in
(15:57):
for them. Because Peter Thompson has been a guest a
couple on our podcast always says those types of little gifts,
people usually don't throw out those. They may throw out
a pen, that they can throw out a book. Okay,
just a couple ideas with that. If you have a resource,
thating is part of your rep which are to be
willing to give first.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Yeah, yeah, And I just wanted to emphasize how important
this is because you might be listening thinking, you know
what my business is going, okay, or I'm not a
business owner, I don't really need a network. I'm I
work for somebody else already. But just wants you to
remember how important this is. Because there is a theory
and I can't prove or disprove this theory, but I
think it's powerful. Nonetheless, this point of six points of connection,
(16:40):
and if you think about that and how important networking is.
The idea behind this is that anybody in the world
that you want to meet is six introductions away. So
if you want to meet the Queen of England, then
you are six introductions away because you know somebody who
knows somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody who knows
somebody who knows the Queen of England. And if that's
(17:02):
who you want to meet, you got to put in
the work build those relationships, one level at a time.
And it is crazy to think about, but it's true.
We are all so interconnected and if we don't take
that first step of networking, like Numa said, finding those
right events, if that's the way that you choose to network,
like I was talking about, building those relationships before expecting results,
and then what Coach was talking about all those brilliant
(17:24):
ways that he follows up with people in his network,
then you're never going to make those steps toward who
you want to meet and where you ultimately want to be.
So that's a good thing to remember today that relationships
are everything and networking is so important whether you're a
business owner or a leader. And speaking of networking, we'd
love to network with you too if you found value
(17:44):
with this episode, Coach said, subscribe to our YouTube channel
so you get more of these full length episodes and
some little short highlight clips from the episode that we
post up there, and we'd love for you to also
connect with us on LinkedIn any of us Doctor Numa, Kareem,
Coach Jim Johnson, or myself.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
John Hearing.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
So we'll be back next week for another conversation here
between us three generations at another guest on the Limitless
Leadership Lounge.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
Thank you for joining us this week at the Limitless
Leadership Lounge. To listen to this episode again and to
find previous episodes, check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
and Spreaker. You can also get in on the conversation
find us on Facebook and Instagram. Then tell three of
your friends to join in as well, Coach, Brnuma and John.
We'll be back again next week for another try generational
(18:30):
leadership discussion. We'll talk to you then on the Limitless
Leadership Lounge
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