Tip #7 Take an Interest In Others (ALL Others)

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Tip #7: Take an Interest In Others (ALL Others)

This is the second week of a three-week series focusing on tips for interpersonal connections and networking.

Be interested in others. All others. Not just those who align with your needs. At social events, I always have my eyes open for networking ninjas. Those who slice through a crowd with sharp precision, carefully pausing to connect with those in their target audience and then efficiently exiting the event.

Now, I seldom see nonprofit professionals exhibit ninja-like tendencies, but I do think we navigate events and curate our calendars toward donors, publicity, and our client base. With the pace of most careers and limited time, this is no surprise. A less targeted approach to networking may not be as efficient, but the potential to create a community of support and interest rather than talk to one specific target is appealing. Much like advertising, it takes more than one impression to have an impact. Focus on creating as many positive impressions as possible rather than risking it all on a few potential connections.

Need help getting started? Try doing one or all of these things next time you’re in a room of potential new connections:

1. Start with who is closest to you logistically, not relationally. Don’t buddy-up with someone you know, and don’t waste time strategizing how to meet someone new. Simply talk to the person closest to you.
2. Ask about them about themselves. It’s a documented fact that people like to talk about themselves.
3. Use their name. Repeatedly. It’s the best way to remember it and everyone likes to hear their own name.
4. Find similarity. If you can’t find any similarities, move on.
5. Ask for advice. This not only tells the other person you respect them and find them interesting; it might provide you with some great counsel as well.

An interest in others is the fuel of successful nonprofits. If your organization’s culture is one of expressing interest in others – all others – doors will open that you never knew existed. 

– Katie Appold

 

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