“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” -Ronald Regan.
Humans are interdependent social animals. We are born in the world being unable to function independently. If we are left alone as infants, we perish. As we grow older, we are molded by our choices, experiences, and the people who surround us. However, throughout the course of our lives, we remain dependent on others. This does not change upon reaching the age of majority – this is a basic tenet of human existence.
Networking is building connections and deepening relationships in order to enrich our lives – whether the life be personal or professional.
Professionally, networking is effective in becoming useful for others in society by enabling others to think of you when someone comes across a problem. As Adam Smith pointed out in The Wealth of Nations, people become more efficient as they grow in their chosen profession. With knowledge, experience, and mastery, we become more efficient. You may not know everything, but if you have a healthy network, you can likely think of the person who is that master of something and refer a friend to a trusted resource.
Personally, networking is a way to make social events fun. If you’re into golf, get to know someone over a few rounds. If you’re into happy hour, get to know someone over a few rounds. No matter your conception of happiness, there will be a like-minded individual who will be happy to pass the time with you. In doing so, you’ll uncover the richness of the tapestry of that person’s life.
However, in the middle of networking is the word “work.” Relationships are not passive – they require you to show up and put forth effort. As Aaron Sorkin noted in his masterpiece work The West Wing, “Decisions are made by those who show up.” If people do not know you, you cannot be in a position to be useful to others.
I offer a few tips in order to begin a networking journey:
- Make business cards. If an event is a true networking event, you will be shaking plenty of hands and be introduced to a large plethora of people. Business cards are useful for remembering someone’s name and having others remember yours.
- Make a LinkedIn profile and send a follow up message. Cold-connecting with someone like a fellow alumnus can work sometimes, but it’s even better to have met the person in-person.
- Practice. The only way to demystify the networking process is to immerse yourself in it. Look into events your local bar association is hosting. Pack your business cards, be friendly, and have fun!
If you need help networking, I encourage you to reach out to me at [email protected] or to connect with me on LinkedIn. I’m always happy to help! We are all better together.
No Man is an Island by John Donne
No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
The Law Firm of DiOrio & Sereni, LLP is a full-service law firm in Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We strive to help people, businesses and institutions throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania solve legal problems – and even prevent legal problems before they occur. To learn more about the full range of our specific practice areas, please visit www.dioriosereni.com or contact Paul M. Carrion, Esquire at 610-565-5700 or at [email protected].
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The information that our blogs provide does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information is for general informational purposes only. Information in our blogs may not constitute the most up-to-date information. Readers of our blogs should contact a qualified attorney to obtain legal advice with respect to any particular legal matter. No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information in our blogs without first seeking legal advice from a qualified attorney. Only the reader’s own attorney can provide assurances that the information contained in our blogs – and any interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to the reader’s particular legal issue. Use of, and access to, the information in our blogs does not create, and is not intended to create, an attorney-client relationship between the reader and our law firm or our blog authors.
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