We all are in a hurry these days to do whatever–find new contacts for business, service a client, run an errand, whatever. But don’t forget the important things:
Courtesy and manners. Mostly saying please and thank you.
I was reminded today about service– a lot due to the fact that today’s MLK Day is being devoted to service. A local chapter of an association I work with forgot to say thank you to the outgoing president–how do we suppose she feels? The whole point of making connections is just that: making connections. That’s not just a “hi, how are you, give me a lead”. It’s a heartfelt conversation between two people. Maybe it will lead to something, maybe not. But you just never know.
Nothing substitutes for good manners. I had a client who told me that if I hadn’t have said “please” to her during a request, that she wouldn’t have honored it. Good for her to demand that–and shame on me for forgetting.
Beyond that, people remember people who are polite, who listen, who share more than ask. They really are the basics of networking–and friendship.
Relentless
