Here are some simple to follow steps toward developing your people skills and enhancing your network:
1. Be nice, and everything else will fall into place.
Our friend and mentor Liz Strauss has a motto for SOBCon, “Be nice.” How hard is that? How many people do it? Being nice creates likability and trust. People do business with other people that they like and people they trust. Ask yourself “How friendly are you?”
2. Project yourself in a way that creates a positive attitude in others.
Your handshake is an indicator of your self-image. So is your wardrobe. Everything from your hair to your shoes is an expression of who you are and what your style may be, or not be. Is your image acceptable to those you seek to connect with? Do you make them feel comfortable in your presence. Reach out with your personality in a positive way and help the people that you meet be positive too.
3. Make eye contact.
Making eye contact is a display of confidence and a display of respect for the other person. Do you find it easy to make eye contact? Do you feel suspicious when others do not make eye contact with you?
What are some other things that you can do to meet new people and grow your network?
Ok, this is going to sound a bit like teaching kids how to suck candy but bear with me. I went to a networking event recently and the organisers made one fundamental error…they didn’t hand out name tags to everyone coming in. I have a terrible memory and I forgot everyone’s name within a nano second of them introducing themselves. No matter what level of seniority you are dealing with, give everyone a name tag!
I agree with the name tags. They are very helpful.
Plus, don’t be a business card nazi. Not everyone wants to collect your card and you may not know a single person or could have related to them. So pass them out at the end of the conversation NOT at the beginning.
I agree with these simple tips and think it could also be titled “3 Simple Tips for your Next Interview.” I interview a lot of people and find it amazing when someone actually does all of these. They clearly stand out from the rest.