Never Eat Alone

Initiate Conversations: Don't wait for others to reach out. Be proactive in starting conversations, whether it's through social media, at a networking event, or during a casual meet-up. Show genuine interest in what others do and share about yourself as well.

Offer Help Before Asking for It: Look for opportunities to assist others in your network without expecting anything in return. This could be as simple as sharing a helpful article, providing feedback on a project, or making an introduction.

Stay in Touch: Regularly check in with your contacts, not just when you need something. A simple message asking how they are or commenting on a recent achievement can keep the relationship warm and genuine.

Attend Networking Events: Make it a point to attend industry meetups, conferences, and other events where you can meet new people and strengthen existing relationships. Always follow up afterward with a message to express your pleasure in meeting them.

Be Authentic: In all your interactions, be yourself. Authenticity builds trust and makes people more inclined to support you when you need it.

Imagine you're at a conference and you meet someone working in an area you're interested in. Instead of immediately asking for job leads, you ask insightful questions about their work, share your own experiences, and offer to connect them with a colleague who has similar interests. Later, you follow up with an email thanking them for the conversation and attaching an article related to a topic you discussed.

You notice a former colleague is launching a new project on LinkedIn. Even though you haven't spoken in a while, you send a congratulatory message and offer to share the project within your network. This rekindles the relationship and sets a positive tone for future interactions.

Listen More Than You Speak: In conversations, make a conscious effort to listen actively. Show that you're engaged by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and asking follow-up questions based on what the other person is saying.

Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage others to share more about themselves by asking questions that can't be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. For example, instead of asking 'Did you like your trip?', ask 'What did you love most about your trip?'

Share Relevant Information or Connections: If during the conversation, you find an opportunity to offer help, such as suggesting a book, introducing them to someone in your network, or sharing a helpful tip, do so without expecting anything in return. This demonstrates your willingness to add value to their lives.

Express Genuine Interest and Appreciation: Compliment their achievements and express genuine interest in their projects or challenges. Let them know you admire their work or are interested in learning more about their experiences.

During a networking event, instead of leading with your own achievements or goals, you start the conversation by asking the person about their current projects. You listen attentively, then mention a book you've read recently that's relevant to their work, offering to send them the details.

At a dinner party, you find yourself seated next to someone who's recently returned from a trip to a place you've never visited. Instead of shifting the conversation to your own travel experiences, you ask them to share their favorite moments and what they learned from the trip. You show genuine interest by asking detailed questions about the culture and sights they describe.

Start Small: Begin by offering small gestures of help that are within your capacity. This could be as simple as sharing an article relevant to someone's interests or offering a listening ear.

Be Genuine: When you offer help, do so because you genuinely want to, not because you expect a favor in return. People can sense sincerity and are more likely to respond positively.

Identify Opportunities: Keep an eye out for opportunities where you can lend a hand. Whether it's a colleague struggling with a project or a friend moving to a new house, your initiative will be appreciated.

Share Your Knowledge: If you have expertise in a certain area, offer to mentor someone who is eager to learn. This could be through informal advice or more structured guidance.

Follow Up: After helping someone, check in with them to see how things are going. This shows that your offer of help was sincere and not just a one-off gesture.

Imagine a colleague is overwhelmed with a new software tool that you're proficient in. Offering to spend an hour walking them through the basics can make a significant difference in their work efficiency.

A friend mentions they're looking to change careers but don't know where to start. Since you've recently gone through a similar transition, you could offer to review their resume and share tips on networking in their desired industry.

Set a Reminder: Right after meeting someone new or making a promise, set a reminder on your phone or calendar. This could be to send an email, make a call, or deliver on what you've promised. Timing is key, so aim to follow up within 24 to 48 hours.

Personalize Your Follow-Up: When reaching out, mention something specific from your interaction to show you were genuinely engaged. This could be a shared interest, a detail about their work, or a mutual connection. It makes the follow-up more meaningful and memorable.

Keep a Record: Maintain a simple spreadsheet or use a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool to track your commitments and interactions. Note down what you've promised and to whom, along with the follow-up date. This helps ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Offer Value in Your Follow-Up: Whenever possible, include something of value in your follow-up. This could be an article, a contact, or an invitation to an event that aligns with their interests or needs. It shows you're thoughtful and invested in the relationship.

After meeting a potential mentor at a conference, you send them an email expressing your gratitude for the conversation. In the email, you reference a specific topic you discussed and attach an article related to that topic, showing you were attentive and are eager to continue learning from them.

You promise a new acquaintance to introduce them to a colleague who has experience in a field they're interested in. Within two days, you send an email connecting the two, briefly mentioning how you met the new acquaintance and why you think the introduction is beneficial for both parties.

Create a Routine for Social Media Engagement: Dedicate a specific time each day or week to scroll through your social media feeds. Use this time not just for passive browsing but to actively comment on, like, and share your connections' achievements, updates, or posts. This keeps you visible and engaged in your network.

Personalize Your Interactions: When you see something significant happening in someone's life (a job change, a personal milestone, etc.), go beyond a simple like or generic comment. Send a personalized message or even a text if you have their number, acknowledging their news and expressing genuine interest or congratulations.

Utilize LinkedIn for Professional Networking: Regularly update your own LinkedIn profile with your latest achievements and career developments. Endorse the skills of your connections and write recommendations for those you've worked closely with. This not only strengthens your relationships but also encourages reciprocation.

Share Valuable Content: Become a resource within your network by sharing articles, videos, or other content that is relevant and beneficial to your connections. Tag individuals who you think would find the content particularly useful or interesting, thereby adding value to your interactions.

If a connection shares they've started a new job, instead of just liking the post, send them a message saying, 'Congratulations on the new role at [Company]! It sounds like a fantastic opportunity. Let's catch up soon; I'd love to hear more about it.'

When you come across an article discussing the latest trends in an industry a friend or connection is passionate about, share it on your social media tagging them, with a note saying, 'Saw this and immediately thought of you, [Friend's Name]! Would love to hear your thoughts on it.'