If You’re Not Networking Up, You’re Not Tapping into Your True Potential
In this short video, referral marketing expert Tom Fleming and I explain what networking ‘up’ is all about and why it’s imperative to the success of your business that you focus on networking up.
Though our natural instinct is often to stay firmly planted in our own comfort zone by associating with people who are either equally as successful or less successful than we are, if we want to achieve higher levels of success, it is crucial that we network up by making an effort to surround ourselves with people who are more successful.
Jack Canfield often says that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with and that concept holds quite a bit of truth; if you surround yourself with and spend the most time with people who are more successful than you, you are in a perfect position to constantly learn from them, meet other successful and accomplished people through their networks, and continually challenge yourself to achieve higher and higher levels of success.
Take a minute to think about a successful person you admire. What is something they have experience with that you could use their advice on in order to improve your business? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by contacting them and asking them to share their knowledge with you so what are you waiting for? Make it your goal to connect with them in the next seven days and to start putting consistent effort into nurturing your relationship with them. Next, repeat this process week after week with other successful people you would like to surround yourself with and learn from–I guarantee you will be amazed at the results and pleasantly surprised at their willingness to help.
If you’re already networking up, what are some of the most invaluable things you’ve learned from the successful people you’ve been brave enough to reach out to and build relationships with? Please share your thoughts in the comment forum below–I’d love to hear about your experiences with this!
I absolutely agree. This is why so many other networking meetings fail to take off; They are just a group of friends that get together and share business, sometimes in the same way that BNI does, but they are a closed group, and they aim to stay that way. There is no growth, they all mellow out to the same level of success, and fail to reach for greater heights.
I would dread the day that I devise that I’m as high as I can climb, that this is it. I make it my personal goal to associate with the alumni of any given group, those who have made themselves into successes. I hope I will always continue to surround myself with more and more successful friends and business partners as I grow, even when I become a millionaire and have my beachfront home in Fiji.
I love to learn and ask questions. I try whenever possible NOT to just nod my head and just play along like I know what’s going on; I actually seek to immerse myself in what is happening, thirsting for more and more knowledge.
In no way do I claim to be even a good networker, but when I go to networking functions I do my best to pay attention to the master networkers and what they do. I think I have a lot more to learn, and I look forward to learning from the best in the years ahead.
Network Up!
Cheers ~ Roderic
I love conversations where there’s an effort to make everyone feel good. Such interactions produce friendships and business.
This is a great topic. I am always trying to working and network with the successful people that I meet and connect with in my day to day activities. It also help me to work on me as I find people with great abilities and skills.
At 63 and for the last 8 years I have watched BNI progress with the last 18 months or so being the most exciting. Russ Sawdon, our Area Director had continued a transformation: Doing the same BNI plan Differently with ever increasing success. New members and old are treated to a ‘Freshness’ that should be applauded. By creating a highly successful ‘Directors’ chapter,’Endeavour’, Russ has proved his conviction and Dr. Ivan Misner’s prediction. It’ happening here folkes4
Graeme, thanks for your comments about Russ!
Ivan
I started “Networking Up” officially when I collaborated with Ivan and 23 others in the best-selling book, Building the Ultimate Network. I have since collaborated with others who are well known in their industry. One question I have been repeatedly is “So what is he or she really like”?
In June I had the privilege of going to Guatemala with John C. Maxwell and 140 coaches, trainers and speakers to conduct Transformational Leadership Seminars. When I got to the hotel I went to lunch in a private room for our group.
John was finishing up his meal when I came in. He acknowledged me then said, ” We are now ready to Lock and Load Guatemala.” To most people in the room they had no idea what he meant but to me it said he had read my bio and felt I was a vital part of the team.
I have personally seen John C. Maxwell “walk the talk” and by doing so has given me the gift of being a more confident person in all I do.