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"StrengthsNetworking© – Use Your Strengths to Network Naturally and Effectively"

How many times have we been told that it's important to operate from a position of strength? It's no different when we're entering a networking environment, says Ed Evarts of Ed Evarts Coaching.

Ed Evarts

Each of us has a plethora of strengths upon which we can build a strong foundation for action. The challenge is to identify our key strengths, use them to expand our comfort zone, and then apply what we learn in our networking activities, being sure to maximize these activities so we can exercise our "networking muscles." By doing this we will build comfort, clarity and confidence.

But before you can build anything – be it a house, or a website, or networking skills – you must first erect a framework. Ed gave us definitions we should use to frame our approach to networking:

Strength:  "Something I do really well."
Comfort Zone:  "A place that I exist without risk."
Networking:  "Activities that raise (or maintain) my visibility."

Then Ed handed out a chart. On the left side was a column headed "I am consistently described as …"under which was listed strengths such as "articulate," "courageous," and "strategic." On the right side was a column titled"…which means I …"under which was listed descriptors. Reading across the chart from left to right for the strength "strategic" one would see: "I am consistently described as strategic, which means I think broadly and long-term, often in areas of complexity." Ed used exercises to help attendees choose and rank their own top five strengths.

Once we identified our strengths, Ed talked about how we could apply them in order to expand our comfort zones. A second handout expanded upon the first chart by adding a third column headed: "I apply this strength in a networking situation by …"Reading across this chart for the strength "courageous" one would see: "I am consistently described as courageous which means I persevere through danger, pain or difficulty. I apply this strength in a networking situation by looking for opportunities to be bolder." (Sample application: When attending a workshop, sit near the front of the room, don't melt into the background.) When we start applying our strengths in networking situations we are expanding our comfort zones.

In addition to these exercises, Ed gave us two major take-aways:

1 – You may participate in as many networking activities as you like as long as you spend twiceas many hours working that network afterwards.
 
2 – Some of us take to networking more easily than others; but in the end, the only person you should compare yourself to is … yourself!

Ed. Note: Ed Evarts spoke about StrengthsNetworking in general; but he can tailor presentations to address specific networking environments, such as employment (networking for a job), business (networking for revenue/volunteers/donors), and affiliation (networking for professional relationships). You can learn more at www.evartscoaching.com