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Up Your Game :: Show Up

A series of stories about networking using the  framework from the book Up Your Game by David Bradford.  Showing Up, is the networking aspect of being aware of the world around you and participating actively in it.

I arrived early to the sports bar knowing that the USA vs Germany was going to draw a large crowd. I was also excited to meet with friends for lunch, but more excited to meet someone fromCorporate Recruiting.  I’m not very outgoing, but networking is important to me. I see it as finding opportunities to serve rather than being social.  The server took me to my table —not the best spot—and I waited for the rest of the party.  “Are you Arturo?” a friendly face asked,  I must have nodded, because the next line was: “Hi, I’m Elisabeth.”

I remember now reading in Keith Ferrazzi’s book “Never Eat Alone” about Connectors, people that are well connected. I kept thinking: “When will I ever find someone like that.”  Well now I know Elisabeth.  Lunch was great, the game awful. I kept finding myself amazed of how many people Elisabeth would greet in the tables close by and people walking next to us.  Was she that elusive Connector, she asked me a few things: my work, my hobbies, my family.  I can now picture her mental rolodex spining trying to find a connection, where to *click*.  After I told her about my young daughter she said: “I have a friend, who also has a young family, I think you should meet him.” *CLICK*

We finished lunch, I offered to connect back with her.  I got to my desk, I had an email from Elisabeth addressed to me and her friend, making the connection. Wow, this is a connector that knows how to follow up. *Double Click* I didn’t do anything, I only showed up.

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Up Your Game :: Start Up

I’ve been reading this week the book “Up Your Game” by David Bradford.  One the the principles he talks about is Start Up.

I wanted to share a story about this principle…

So the story goes back 2 years ago when I was an Intern and my friend Liva R. was also interning.  Liva had a co-worker Chizuki W., also an intern; Liva had asked me for some help with an excel project.  I took some time off my day, and we completed the project.  When Chizuki was having some questions about an excel problem she was having, Liva mentioned my name.

I spent probably 1-2 hours helping Chizuki build her excel workbook, and she was very greatful.  She invited me to go to lunch with her and her boyfriend.  Her boyfriend, Richard also works here in the company.  For the lunch, Richard came with his co-worker, Joby. We had a good time.

2 years later Richard and Joby were looking for an employee to highlight in their series “A Day in the Life” for the company recruiting page.  For some reason, they think of me, Joby sends a message to Chizuki and they contact me.  They do a video, a photo session and a web post.  (Still not public, will update when it is available)  All because I decided to help a friend with a project.

 

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Up Your Game: 6 Timeless Principles for Networking Your Way to the Top

Up Your Game: 6 Timeless Principles for Networking Your Way to the Top Book Cover Up Your Game: 6 Timeless Principles for Networking Your Way to the Top
David Bradford
Non-Fiction
Life Science Publishing
2014
Kindle
192

This was an easy and fun read.  The 6 principles outlined in the book are:

  1. Start Up
  2. Show Up
  3. Follow Up
  4. Link Up
  5. Stand Up
  6. Scale Up

What the booked showed me, was that there is no magic to networking, it is simply to be aware of our relationships and KNOW that they matter.

Start Up

This means to “give with no thought of getting.” I am amazed how many time we need to be reminded of the golden rule, “Do unto others.”  I guess that when people have been cheated on, trampled by loved ones, or otherwise abused it is hard to believe that we have to give freely and others will reciprocate.  I do believe that people will reciprocate, and I am amazed by the love that I have received through out my life.

Show Up

This principle is to be present, and in this world of so many options it is hard to be in the NOW.  I have been guilty of being at home, yet having my head buried on my phone, or my computer.  I have also seen the benefits of showing up, being at the right place.

Follow Up

Return calls, connect back, make something out of an encounter.  There are people who are masters of this art, I am not one of them.  I have to program myself to do a follow-up, but I know tha it is valuable.

Link Up

Go deeper than just “friend” someone, or “connect” with someone, or “follow” someone.  This is the real process of caring for your network.  This is easy for me, I am curious, and genuinely care for people.  My problem is that when I am comfortable in a group, I don’t try to grow it or meet others.  I forget that I need to be more inclusive and continue to find points of interest with other people.

Stand Up

This is about moral fortitude, doing what is right.  This will be something that we all need to constantly think about; and strive to be righteous.

Scale Up

Never stop working on your network, this is your footing for anything that could happened in your career or in life.  You must push forward.