I connect people for a living!

photo credit: shawncampbell

Well, that’s actually not exactly true. I just connect people, I don’t make a living out of it. Sometimes I wish I did, though. It’s a fact that I enjoy making the synergistic interactions amongst people happen, quite frankly. But I don’t like feeling obligated to introduce people to one another, but more so when those linkages seem the right fit or when the people to ask me to be connected aren’t using me. This last statement sounds harsh, but we all know those people. The ones who scour for connections (one of the reasons why I hate calling social events “networking events”). I feel that growing networks organically is the right way to do it. And I love helping people grow their networks, even more so when the kindness is reciprocal.

My good friend Meriko Kubota (Vancouver Foundation, Give Music) mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago when we met that she was amazed at the fact that I wasn’t afraid of connecting people. I’m not, it’s true. But more so because I know how to differentiate when someone is trying to use me than when I think someone needs help or I can refer business to. I am ALWAYS happy to connect my friends, in particular when I think there’s a chance for synergy.

On the topic of referring business, I think that’s one of the great things about having a rather extensive network, both online and offline. I am often able to refer business to other folks, or I retweet job advertisements. And I do so because I know that things have a way of paying themselves back. I have been referred consulting business and/or speaking engagements by great friends of mine and I am always grateful (and try to show it!).