You need to connect with people for many reasons. In general it is good to be a people person for your personal growth. The more people you know, the better is your intellectual growth. Now I don’t mean expanding your social circle the Paris Hilton way, what I mean is, when you know people with different opinions and mentality, you begin to see things in different lights and obtain a deeper understanding of various thoughts and ideas.
In terms of business we all know how critical for you it is to connect with people. Your business treads on the landscape of trust and familiarity. If you work on your own, you need more and more people trusting you and recommending you. This is certainly not a selfish reason to connect with people and expand your social network: if you have a good service or product to offer, why shouldn’t more and more people avail it? And in the process, what’s the harm in getting to know and befriend different people?
Ways to connect with people
- Be genuine. Nothing puts people off more than the tinges of artificiality in the way you interact or move around. To connect with people you don’t have to be someone you are not. Just be yourself: we all have qualities that some people may like. As long as you don’t offend people it doesn’t matter where you have studied, how much you have studied or how talented and cool you are or how much money you make. If such things matter to those with whom you are trying to connect, then either you have your priorities set at the wrong places or those people don’t deserve to be near you.
- Be helpful. Be helpful but not in a let-them-take-undue-advantage way. Help people whenever you think they need help and they’ll appreciate it. Don’t expect a favor whenever you help someone. Helping others is anyway a good thing.
- Socialize. You cannot connect with people sitting in your room. Whether you connect through online social networking groups or some groups and gathering places in the physical world, you’ll need to reach those people and make them aware of your existence. You’ll need to take an initiative and take part in the conversations and activities. In the beginning they may snub you, but of your interest is genuine and if you bring something valuable to the table it won’t be easy for people to ignore you.
- Obtain an authority. People who have an authority over their interests and professions gain popularity easily. Don’t remain on the sidelines. Read a lot and be knowledgeable. Love gadgets? Then don’t just love acquiring them or coveting for them; obtain a deep knowledge of how they work and which gadgets are best for what kind of work.
- Converse. When you can hold conversation with people they remember you. Know about subjects enough to contradict or endorse and add more value to the ongoing discussion.
- Be healthy. Managing an active social life along with managing work and family needs lots of energy. If by the time you begin socializing all your energies are sapped you won’t be able to participate much. Or, worse, you’ll have to compromise on your work or family life. Keep a healthy lifestyle.
