Networking: Building Relationships Through Reciprocity

Networking is more than just Connecting

If you're a forever learner like me you can't stop looking for new and inspiring technologies, philosophies, theories, and when it really comes down to it people. The people we meet throughout our life are the most powerful tool every individual has to be great and keep learning and progressing. The people around us act as the sounding boards and filters through which we create understanding of the world by validating or not individuals' expressions of understanding of the world. In this way the people around us are the truest of teachers as they act to solidify the nuggets of learning found in every experience one encounters. Due to the importance of those around us to situate all that is learnt I want to take a chance to talk about a recent insight that was shared with me as I work to hone my network and networking skills.

The Nugget

I have been working through a career transition and have had ample opportunity and good reason to network. Through my exploration of the Software Development and Engineering community in the Greater Seattle Area I was introduced to a new friend through the power of a LinkedIn People search at a specific company. This new friend spent a solid hour chatting with me about their own journey into Software Development and their current pursuits at a company they are rather comfortable at. Not only was their graciousness with their time relieving and empowering they were able to share with me some of the nuggets passed on to them through their own Networking Journey. My new friend shared with me their opportunities to build relationships around the world that has lead them to a deep and extensive network of some thousands of people. They followed up a seemingly boastful comment with the nugget that they haven't been doing it to find the next best job perse but instead to explore the community they have become a part of; and in doing so help nurture that community into one they want to be more a part of. This struck me as I had never thought of networking in such a way. I had thought of organizing my room or my desktop or my desk in such a way, "building the environment I want to live in" kind of thing, but never had I thought of professional relationships in such a way.

Build It For Them For You

What does it mean to nurture a community though. My new friend outlined their method to successfully networking a network of success.

Look for "Companies" not "Jobs"

When building your network first look for companies that: as an employee you will want to be successful in; as a consumer you will feel happy consuming; and as an owner you will feel proud managing.

Reach out!

Once you find somewhere great find out who makes it great. Reach out to the new and old employees, managers, and contractors that have built the companies you stand behind. By exploring who makes greatness you yourself will get insight into how to make greatness. Also there is no way to build into and add something great without connecting with those that have built it.

Inquire about the Company and not the Job

Look into the company and not the job. Doing so will elucidate how you can best benefit the company and community you can stand behind.

When it's Apples and Oranges talk to your Oranges

When the nature of your greatness will not build well into the greatness of the company that you stand behind think of those whose greatness will. By transitively building greatness you will not only benefit from what is built but also you will help build a community that requires acknowledgement of the support others give to build it. Without acknowledging those that have helped build a community the community will develop away from what has made it great to that point. Not only do communities you build in away rely on you to exist, people love to be helped and are more willing to help when they have been helped. By leading by example in a way you will show others how to show thanks and perpetuate the greatness that you have induced.

Thanks!

Till Next time! Maybe back to Set objects? Maybe some fun with styling? I always can learn more about css flex-box, grids, and div shaping. Maybe some dynamic styling is in order? Anyway tune in next week for another installment of Web Development with Ders –– The One-Stop-Shop for Everything....Ders