The art of Hello

by Byron Woodson II

My pitch is in tatters. I realize that I'm so spread out with the thousands of things i want to do, that i find it hard to communicate succinctly what it is i intend to do when meeting someone. It actually feels a bit weird going headfirst into the world of networking trying not to network, but to netweave.

I had two conversations today and proposed to both that we meet up sometime. Both of them got right to the point and asked what the intention of the meeting was. I felt a little exposed. "I'm dealing with professionals" i though to myself. Aiming simply to build relationships with someone seems a bit unfocused and nebulous up against the fast-paced world of outcome-specific networking. So when i started explaining what i wanted to accomplish, it started to click and the road got a little smoother.

So then i had to ask myself, what specifically could or should i be offering them that would help them in both the short-term and the mid-term. I've got my intention way down the long run. It's like asking someone to keep in contact for life without giving them a reason why?! So what i and we and you have to do is balance developing long-term relationships with short and mid-term outcomes. It's not an either/or proposition, it's a both/and. Even though you're out to build relationships and networks around you, keep in mind that the best way to do that is to have a focus. And it helps to be able to communicate it well.

Note to self: write a pitch for each area i want to make progress in . . .