Last weekend I was enjoying my favourite cup of Italian Americano at a quaint coffee shop. Was up to my most favourite hobby. Observing people and watching the world go by. Most were deep into their cell phones. It was interesting watching their expressions change when they received a text message or a social media update. Or how they came to life in different shades when they got calls from different people. Then someone sitting on a table next to me said to his friend “You know, your network is really your net worth”. I kept staring at the lovely aromatic fumes wafting out of my second cuppa. Bingo! The subject of this article flashed on the screen of my mind. Here it is.
As I tried searching more on the internet, I found this quote very applicable to my views “A network mindset is a collaborative approach that prioritizes building authentic, long-term relationships over transactional, short-term gains”.
I have said this story before but I believe this so much that I would like to repeat myself. When I was 14 years old, I went through the auspicious brahmin thread ceremony. My grandfather had then whispered the holy Gayatri mantra into my ears, but also gave me the biggest and most valuable life lesson in life. He told me that humans need humans and these bonds are called relationships. Each relationship is like a garden. You will need to set aside time to weed them, water the plants and care, only then you will really get a wonderful feeling when you visit them. If you neglect them, you will walk into barren land and the thorns from the weeds will prick you. In brief, relationships need nurturing, need time otherwise they remain just acquaintances.
What is the core purpose behind developing this Network Mindset? Again the internet says “This mindset emphasizes “giving before getting,” proactive engagement, and connecting diverse people to solve complex problems.” Here are some basic approaches to evolve to the Network Mindset-
Go beyond transactional relationships
If we look back even at our grandparents and their lives then, friends were very special and for life. They were pure bonds created around similarities and good times. Relationships were for keeps. Family was the centre around everything. Yes, we have kept evolving as human beings especially with the advent of smartphones and the social media boom – however, most relationships had become transactional. The big change has come however beyond the millennial generation. The Zee generation really appreciate and foster in an environment of love and care. EQ is back again. Try the human connect, it works. But the only caveat emptor here is that it has to be genuine. One big relationship deterrent is being fake, a big negative connotation in the world today.
Excellence at work is a big relationship builder
In business relationships where the relationship is purely transactional, excellence in performance itself creates a relationship builder. Whether it’s a client or your superior and even with your teams, positive productive moments of truth lead to a unique kinship of winning. Continuous cycles of success create comfort, interdependence and unforgettable bonds of getting it right. But at work, in addition to being a compulsive value adder you also bring in positive energy, enthusiasm and a team player spirit, it adds a huge turbo to your work relationships. The commercial world is smaller than you can imagine especially in domains like communications. And whenever you are thrown together as a team on any side of the table, you restart again with excellence. I have personally experienced this many times in my life
Take care of small things, big things will take care of themselves
Create a relationship list, both personal and professional and take care of small things. Remain connected and engaged with them. Go beyond just wishing them for their birthdays, anniversaries and milestones. Today’s social media and WhatsApp are simple ways to create touchpoints. Go beyond, share content, thoughts etc. with them which are relevant. Better still, pick up the phone and talk. Even better, interface and build up good times together!
“Successful long-term relationships are created through small words, small gestures, and small acts.” – Anonymous
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