{"id":4327,"date":"2013-08-08T07:53:09","date_gmt":"2013-08-08T11:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alifeofproductivity.com\/?p=4327"},"modified":"2022-09-02T17:15:13","modified_gmt":"2022-09-02T17:15:13","slug":"guide-how-to-grow-your-network-without-feeling-like-or-being-a-slimeball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chrisbailey.com\/guide-how-to-grow-your-network-without-feeling-like-or-being-a-slimeball\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide: How to grow your network without feeling like (or being) a slimeball"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Takeaway:<\/b>\u00a0First, define what goals you have for networking. Then look through your connections to see who they know, who you would like to meet with. Ask for an introduction, then keep things human, informal, and see networking as a learning opportunity. Also, don’t be a d-bag.<\/p>\n

Estimated Reading Time:<\/strong> 9 minutes, 23s, assuming you don’t skim over some parts.<\/div><\/div>\n

\"new\"<\/p>\n

\"Chris

Chris O’Gorman<\/p><\/div>\n

When I asked networking authority Chris O’Gorman what the biggest misconception people have about networking<\/strong> is<\/strong>, he said “that it’s slimy and all about getting ahead”. “Networking is really just having a great conversation with someone.”<\/p>\n

O’Gorman works for telecommunications giant Alcatel-Lucent, where he oversees Talent and Organizational Development for North and South America, where about 17,500 of the company’s 70,000 employees reside. In addition to coaching the region’s executives, Chris and his team are responsible for making sure Alcatel-Lucent’s top employees continue to learn, continue to be interested in their work, and most importantly, continue working for Alcatel-Lucent.<\/p>\n

During his 11-year tenure at Alcatel-Lucent, Chris has seen countless employees succeed and fail, especially at networking. (Chris and his team even run internal networking seminars across North and South America – I’ve been to one, and they’re invaluable, albeit, only available for internal employees.) It’s safe to say that if there’s one person who knows networking, it’s Chris.<\/p>\n

I recently sat down with Chris to talk to him about networking, and we chatted about the mistakes people make, how someone can use networking to find a job or further their career, and most importantly, how to network without feeling like (or being) a slimeball. Needless to say, especially if you’re looking to further your career, this article is a must-read.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What follows is everything he taught me.<\/p>\n

\"Chris<\/p>\n

What is networking, anyway?<\/b><\/h1>\n

\"redu\"When I think of networking, my mind immediately flashes to a corny wine and cheese event, where a hundred or so people are gathering around exchanging fake smiles and business cards. Chris understands that preconception. “I think what turns people off of networking is that preconceived notion that networking is self-serving, all about getting ahead, and looking out for your best interests. There’s a sliminess element to networking that a lot of people are turned off by.”<\/p>\n

To O’Gorman, networking is simply relationship building.<\/b> Networking means “looking at what you can contribute and what you need to learn, and starting there”. It’s about talking to new people so you can learn and grow, helping others when you’re able to (and receiving help in return), and connecting people that haven’t met yet. “I’m not shy to ask for help, or build relationships with friends of friends that can help me in other aspects of my job so that I can become better.”<\/p>\n

Why you should network<\/b><\/h1>\n

Throughout our interview, Chris rhymed off a ton of reasons why you should network, including:<\/p>\n