Networking & Relationship Management

I am sure you have heard the "Don't blow your own trumpet" line? Well, there's the modern version of that and for those of you who haven't heard it, it goes "If you don't blow your own trumpet, nobody will blow it for you"... Ancient wisdom turned 180 degrees.

The same is true for networking and relationship management. Contrary to what we learnt as kids about being completely self reliant (professionally) and not approaching others for favours, I think it is okay to ask people for something or to seek a favour when you need one. Hasn't someone in the recent past asked you for something and you without really giving it a very serious thought given a fair shot at doing whatever was requested?

I follow a two fold and really quite simple philosophy for this:

1. You never know when you need someone.
2. It doesn't hurt to make friends. Something good always comes out of it in the end.

Thus I make it a point to make friends whenever I get the opportunity to and then to nurture these relationships. I think at a very fundamental level one has to try and genuinely invest in people. Insincerity comes across clear and glaring.

As you gain more experience, change a few jobs, maybe a profile or two and meet and invest in people along the way, you will begin to realize and harvest the power of your network. There is nothing selfish or materialistic about this. Remember, you too are part of someone's network. At what rank you figure in his/her list is very dynamic and fluid. You will always be at the top of one list and may be at the bottom of another. However, if you honestly and sincerely invest in people, your network will fall into place like a complex web of simple mutually beneficial relationships, opening doors and opportunities of varying nature, sometimes when you are least expecting them...