The old mindset was your success depends upon how many people you know. Today the most important thing is how many people are you helping.
The focus has shifted to some degree because of the culture created through the use of social media. The motivating factor behind most people is how can I help others be successful by giving them information that will be helpful.
It is just as important to be willing to ask other people for help as well. A true network works then because of the dynamics created because of mutual need. This in essence is the difference between someone being merely a contact in your database compared with a person in your life.
Make no mistake; serious business is taking place here. However, that is a natural result of working with people you like and respect and not using other people to get what I want.
Never Eat Alone is a great book written by Keith Ferrazzi. He hates what he calls networking jerks. If you don’t want to come across as one here are few things he says you must never do:
Don’t schmooze
Don’t rely on the currency of gossip
Don’t come to the party empty-handed
Don’t treat those under you poorly
Be transparent
Don’t be too efficient
What we can do is to have a desire to genuinely add value to other people and by doing so knowing we will have made a difference.