Don't Be Such an Askhole...
Stop taking more from your personal network than you are giving. You only have so much "goodwill" to use up. Make sure it counts.
Did our meme make you laugh? Show us by giving this article a “like” or click of the share button at the bottom of page.
We’ll also send you more funny memes each Wednesday morning 8:00 am EST if you subscribe below.
“Do you think John can help us with this tax question?”
John was a CPA at another firm. I was an Investment Advisor. I had only met John recently. We did not have a client-relationship with him. There was no expectation of changing money between us and him for this favor.
“If you want to use up your ‘goodwill’ with him, then feel free to ask him.” That was the response my wise and experience colleague gave to me.
This was the first time anyone had ever spoken to me of goodwill. I did not even understand what he meant by it.
I made the call to John. He fulfilled the task. However, I never dared ask him again for another favor. I began to realize that I had not yet provided any service to him. If I were to ask another favor, I would start to become a nuisance, and any current or future relationship between us would quickly canker.
I wish I could say that I learned my lesson with this singular experience. But I am a slow learner. As I write this story, I cringe even thinking about all of the times I have asked repeated favors of my network, giving nothing of value in return.
As I think back on all of the favors I have requested, they all seemed so important at the time. It felt like trading in my ‘goodwill’ in exchange for their help was crucial. But from hindsight, the majority of those favors resulted in inconsequential returns. Not because the person providing the favor gave me poor assistance; but because the favor I chose to use my goodwill on was not as important a favor as I had perceived it to be.
Give More Than You Take
It took me too long to understand the value of a personal network. I hated networking because it always felt superficial, so the idea of building a network seemed unimportant.
Pro tip: If your only networking comes from superficial meet ups or black tie events (like mine were), then you may want to adjust your approach.
Networking can come at any time, with any person, in any setting.
Getting lunch with your co-worker is networking.
Playing a round of golf with others is networking.
Attending a religious event can be networking.
Talking with your next door neighbor is networking.
In each of these events, look for opportunities to ‘give’ to your network. If your neighbor mentions that she is going to be planting some flowers, offer to help. If someone from your church jut had a baby, offer to provide them dinner at a time that is most convenient for them.
The point is that you want to build up a well of ‘goodwill’ with the person you are networking with. From time to time, you may need to draw from that well, and you want to make sure that you have more goodwill than you use. Drawing too much from the well can lead to spoiled relationships, distrust, or a tarnished reputation.
If you found this information on networking valuable, then please give this article a “like” or click of the share button below. This is what helps us know if we are making the right content.
We’ll also deliver more funny memes attached to newsletters every Wednesday morning at 8:00 am ET when you subscribing below:
Totally on point. Another phrase I've heard is "putting pennies in the cup". The pennies are are acts that let others know you're paying attention and see them as whole people. They can be as simple as following up with what a coworker had planned for their weekend.