Earlier this year, I was asked to present to entrepreneurs visiting under the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) program. This program introduces African civic, business, and community leaders for academic coursework, leadership training, and networking at U.S. colleges and universities.
While reading their biographies, I was intrigued by the various interests and industries they represent, the Internet, retail, banking, and cosmetics, to name a few. While I was humbled that this group of leaders would spend 45 minutes with me, the pressure of making this time valuable for them was very present.
Given their diverse industry and leadership experience, it became clear that focusing on cybersecurity (usually a technical talk) may not be the best approach. Therefore, a topic pivot was necessary. The following is an abbreviated story to demonstrate the combined power of who you are and the network you build.
The journey of my career path is somewhat non-standard; my first official computer class was in high school in the early 80s, which began with programming on the Apple ][+. In this class, I befriended another student who would be a lifelong friend. This was the first link in the chain.
A few years later, we were selling computers in a retail storefront, which was the only way to buy a computer at the time. The industry was far from the do-it-yourself build-from-parts. One afternoon, an elderly gentleman walked in and wanted one of the “new-fangled personal computers.” Being new to the technology, he also asked if he could hire someone to teach him more, and my friend offered to help him on the weekends. Another link in the chain is now established.
Fast forward a few more years, and my friend and I were at lunch, where I casually mentioned that our team had openings for designing, building, and deploying the traditional 3-tier internet architectures from the late ‘90s. As it would turn out, the grandson of the elderly gentleman who bought the computer in the retail store was versed in computers and was looking for a new opportunity. Great, have him give me a call! During the interview, it became clear that this person was a good problem solver, and he was offered the job on the spot. The chain grows stronger with this link.
A few years passed and as often happens, the gentleman I hired moved on and we no longer worked at the same company. However, he called one day and wanted me to come interview for the company he was working for. I graciously declined being happy in my current role. But he was nothing if not persistent, and a year later, he convinced me to do the interview. Today, 17 years later, we are both still at the same company, and I am eternally grateful.
The 3 most powerful letters - O, H, W
The story above serves as the backdrop for the title of this post and is what allowed me to bring the YALI audience on a journey while setting the stage for two crucial items for success in whatever you do.
Re-arrange the letters to
The HOW - In today’s world, everyone is busy and often distracted; therefore, how you interact with others in your personal and work lives are inextricably intertwined.
Be patient - The other individual will not be in the same place you are, nor will they have the same life experiences. Structure your discussions so that you are meeting them part way, in a manner that allows them to build context.
Lead with empathy - An extension of being patient involves understanding team members’ emotions, needs, and experiences (or friends and family). You can do this by actively listening and minimizing those pesky distractions from computers or smartphones.
Combining those items allows you to take them on the proverbial casual walk in the park, where free-flowing discussion can occur. This process is foundational for building respect and rapport.
Re-arrange those letters again
The WHO (not the band)- If you have a good “HOW,” this will allow you to build a strong network. Building your network is an essential step in helping others connect and identify opportunities. However, you will be amazed at how often this will turn around to benefit your journey through life.
While not intended to be a how-to for building your personal or professional network, many different strategies can help you start small and expand your network over time:
Start with friends or acquaintances that you don’t have regular interactions with
Push your social skills and attend a speak-easy dinner where you don’t know others; think supper club-type events
Attend local interest groups or professional organizations
Attend industry events or conferences
Practical takeaway - Don’t miss an opportunity to open a door; you never know what opportunities are on the other side.
When you combine the WHO with the HOW, you have a foundation for a powerful life experience and opportunities. Start building your chain of connection today. You never know where it might lead you.