These past two weeks have been an incredible education for yours truly. While I have been speaking in front of group, doing educational sessions on the basic skills of networking, I’ve had a few life lessons come back in my direction.
It feels so good to be around people!
Event number one was at Clemson University in front of a group of students from the College of Business and Behavioral Sciences. This was a basic program on the tools of the networker and then practice. As the hour wore on the group and I got comfortable with one another and things got easier between. It was less about me talking to them than it was about us having a series of one-on-ones in front of the group. Some gave their elevators speeches. Some spoke of people they need to meet. Still others talked of the passion they had for what they were studying and someday hoped to make their livelihood. Most importantly, I learned several lessons:
- People are quick learners, especially students. Give them a few guidelines, let them practice in a non-threatening environment and they shine.
- Warming to people takes practice, but once you’ve done it it becomes like riding a bike–you want to go as fast as you can once you’ve got the basics. One by one they demonstrated their skills shone through–and quickly.
- Conversation and eye contact are the great levelers in life. I felt ageless among people more than half my age. We were peers sharing a conversation.
The latest speaking gig was my second appearance in front of The Parker (University) Experience. This annual Las Vegas event (they also hold programs three other times during the year in Dallas, Chicago and an East Coast venue) brings together leaders and practitioners in the field of Chiropractic from all over the world. Educational sessions and general sessions both inform and educate Doctors of Chiropractic and their staffs. Everything from the latest adjustment techniques to office procedures to inspirational speakers fill the agenda.
In a new category comes me, The Relentless Networker. Dr. Mark Mandell asked me a number of months back to come speak to his docs about how to build their skills as networkers. “Teach them the basics and then tell them where to start, where to go,” were Mark’s first, basic instructions. We tried it out in Dallas in the fall, then brought it to Vegas this month.
What a truly positive experience. I spoke to a room of 300-plus docs and staffers all excited to learn the basics–the elevator speech, how to engage in conversation and then how to follow up. We even subjected them to a “pop quiz” or two and let them try out their new-found skills.
But, most importantly again, I learned from them:
- The field of Chiropractic has a passion few other industries or professions can match. These folks love what they do.
- They don’t seem to have a negative bone in their bodies–a great thing for people who use adjustment as a part of their treatment and evaluation of their patients.
- That community can be a living, breathing thing: I was in the middle of (and welcomed into) a huge family.
So the lessons from these two groups are astounding: have no fear, be positive, appreciate your community. Thanks to both of you for including me in your communities.
Relentless
