6 Tips to Build Goodwill in Your Network

This week on The BIGG Success Show, we discuss the third of the three Rs of BIGGsuccess – which has to do with your network. The summary is below.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

It’s Back-to-School time and we’re in the middle of a ten-part series on lifelong learning. We started by talking about the 3 R’s from our school days – reading, writing and arithmetic. Now we’re talking about the 3 R’s of BIGG success.

So far we’ve discussed two of them – responsibility and resiliency. Today we’ll chat about the 3rd R of BIGG success – relationships.

Today’s episode is made possible by Linq, digital business cards for modern networking. Make a lasting impression by sharing your contact information, and more — straight to someone’s phone or inbox.

We are living in the age of interdependence. It’s amazing how much can be accomplished by working together.

Relationships have always been important, and now it’s possible for any of us to build a worldwide network of relationships for work and play!

The value of your network

The single greatest asset you can possess today is your network. It will never show up on a Balance Sheet. It’s really difficult to put a hard number to it. But its value shows up when you need to accomplish something.

Are you able to reach out to the people in your network to get it done?
How many people are between you and the person you need to talk to?
How quickly were you able to get it done?
How long would it take a person without your network?

These are the signs of value in your network. Of course, the value of a single relationship can be thought of as the amount of goodwill you have with a person.

So the value of your network is simply the sum of those individual amounts.

You are the entrepreneur of your life. As the entrepreneur, you want to build value. With that in mind, let’s go The Professor’s Whiteboard for 6 tips to build goodwill in your network, one relationship at a time.

1) Listen attentively

The more interested you are in another person, the more interesting you’ll be to them. The more impressed you are by them, the more impressed they’ll be with you.

Isn’t that ironic? By making them feel important, you’ll be important to them.

So listen. Really listen.

If you’re communicating face-to-face, put any and all mobile devices away. Act as if there is no bigger fish with whom you might want to converse. Look them in the eye. Really pay attention with all of your attention.

You don’t have to do it for hours. You can excuse yourself. But while you’re talking with them, make it all about them.

Once you get this one down, the rest are easy.

2) Be genuine

You probably immediately see how this dovetails with our first tip. People can spot a fake quickly.

Sincerely value them. The only way we know to show them that you sincerely value them is to actually, sincerely, value them!

As a human being.

Not a connection. Not a contact. Not a sale. Not a prospect. Not a means to an end.

As a real person with feelings and dreams and fears. As a person with whom you relate on a personal basis.

3) Understand what BIGG success means to them

This won’t be your first question. But if you are going to build a relationship, it’s important to determine what they are trying to accomplish.

You will uncover this by listening attentively. There’s Tip #1 again!

When you discover what they are trying to do, you can look for ways to help them.

4) Remember that help is a two-way street

As you uncover the layers that exist, you will be able to share your knowledge, resources and network with them. By doing so, you become a valuable part of their network.

But it has to be a two-way street. If they never reciprocate, then you don’t have a relationship.

You have a feudal system. You’re not their servant. They should be looking for ways to help you too.

5) Show your appreciation

Two of the most powerful words  you can utter are, “Thank you”.

When someone in your network shares their knowledge with you, thank them.

When they provide a resource, thank them.

When they connect you with someone in their network, thank them. *Also follow up to let them know how it turned out!

6) Be patient

[Geroge] I’ve had friends for years who were just that – friends. Sure, we may have done some business with each other, but nothing of any significance. Then suddenly an opportunity presents itself and they become a vital partner. You just never know.

[Mary-Lynn] So maintain your existing relationships and continually new relationships. It’s likely that the time will come when you will be able to work together in a mutually beneficial way.

BIGG Takeaway

Life comes down to relationships and experiences. Build relationships and you’ll be a BIGG success!

George “The Professor” & Mary-Lynn
Co-Founders, BIGG Success

Direct link to The BIGG Success Show audio file | podcast:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/biggsuccess/01113-092122.mp3

Special Offer

In today’s rapidly changing world, the more you know, and the more people you know,  the faster you can adapt! Get our free Back to School for Adults eBook which teaches you how to profit from lifelong learning.

Each chapter has action items so you can implement what you learn right away! Get your copy.