The Opposite of Networking Is Not Working

The Opposite of Networking Is Not Working

I network and speak on networking often. I included a truism that somebody sent me years ago in a recent blog I wrote on The Currencies of Networking. It was that “The Opposite of Networking is Not Working.” Many thanks to the person who sent me that a few years ago.

I think it created a light bulb moment for a few people who seemed to enjoy its simplicity and its truth.

Yes the Opposite of Networking is Not Working. If you don’t network your career as well as your life, they will not align.

You see people don’t network just to find gigs or jobs but to be engaged with people, to connect with life. I have always preached that networking is about an Attitude of Engagement versus going to events. The more you connect with life the more fulfilled your life will be.

I tend to live in a number of worlds often engaging with people who work and those who are looking for work and others that work for themselves. I meet with many people who have been employed for a long time. They don’t network. They certainly aren’t ready to be fired and would be lost if they were. More importantly I believe if they don’t network they aren’t very well resourced in a world that changes at uber speed.

Not networking during your career is like not working out in life. You quickly get out of shape. You risk losing your edge.

Most people that don’t network tell me that they don’t have the time. What they don’t realize is that they will not know what to do with all the time they will have on their hands the first Monday morning should they ever lose their jobs.

What they also don’t understand is that their investment in networking will result in them being better resourced and quicker to solve problems and that will save them very valuable time on the job. The quicker you solve your projects the more you will be acknowledged in your organization.

I guess in the end, the people who want to succeed will recognize that networking and working are one and the same.

__________________________________________________________________Hank Blank runs a Marketing Consulting firm in Laguna Niguel, CA helping companies with his knowledge and his network. Feel free to connect with Hank on LinkedIn or contact him via email at hank@hankblank.com.

Carla Segato

Sr. Brand Strategist & Event Management

9y

I was so curious about Hank Blank, his previous incarnations in the advertising world and how he made a "career" of being downsized himself. I didn't know the man, but I reached out to him on Linked In and we met in Laguna Beach. Yah, i know rough. But what was really rough was his message, in particular that people feel they only need to network when they are down-sized, top-sized, or their asses are walked out of the building along with their possessions. The worst part is that professionals over 50 will likely go through that process maybe 3 more times in their career life. His theory for networking is that it is not what you can get, but what you can give. Stay in touch with people. Genuinely care what is going on with them. Engage. Pay it forward. Checkout his article.

Don M.

CEO | Chief Operating Officer | COO | CTO | Inventor | President | EVP | SVP | Outside Director | Executive Coach | Leading with Why

9y

Right you are, Hank! I have found myself "in between" careers, and had it not been for the fact that I kept my network and relationships alive, I suspect the time spent "in between" would have been much greater. In fact, I'm "in between" again, and am just as busy as when I was drawing a paycheck. Deborah Bardwell, I'm not an extrovert. I don't draw my energy from being in crowds or the limelight. I do, however, like to engage in interesting conversation with individuals. Sometimes I do that at networking events, but I try to keep it low key and exchange contact info and meet privately afterwards. The conversation is then not so stressful, and turns out to be more intimate and meaningful.

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Laurie Millotte

Helping wineries sell more with better, faster, smarter photography. Simply brilliant!

9y

So very true! And networking is not just for extroverts, I speak from experience...

Javier G.

Consultant for EV Charging Stations │ Commercial Incentives up to 80% paid by the utility

9y

I like this perspective, not that...never mind.

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