Are You A Connector?

Since I started my business 4+ years ago, networking calls, coffee, and events have become a regular part of my week.  I've found that I love the 1:1 or small group options, and, unsurprisingly, for anyone who knows me, I don't love the big events where you walk in not knowing anyone and have to introduce yourself and try to make a connection.  I still do those, but they are emotionally draining.

Over the past week or so, I've participated in three amazing networking events, each a bit different but so good in its own way. They got me thinking about the power of being a connector. 

The first was an in-person curated small evening event with three facilitated discussion topics and informal networking.

The second was a small (6-person) Zoom call where the host gave everyone on the call ~10 connections she thought would be good fits from her network after each person did an introduction. 

The final was a larger group of about 13 curated people on a Zoom call. The intention was to bring together an interesting mix of people so they could meet each other and then take the appropriate next steps. 

The common thread of these three events was that the host was a connector.  They loved bringing together people that they found interesting so that they could meet each other.  I realized that being a people connector is not a natural thing for me, so I want to focus on it more.  I did recognize that I'm a good connector of ideas or resources in my specialty areas.

This started me thinking about Adam Grant's book, Give and Take:  Why Helping Others Drives Our Success.  There is a huge benefit within organizations of ensuring you have Givers and Matchers and are weeding out the Takers.  Being a connector is likely natural to a Giver and may be a sometimes practice for the Matchers…if they see others also making introductions.

Here's a question for you:  Are you a connector naturally, or is it something you want to work on?  We can be better at being a connector by listening to the people around us and consciously looking for opportunities of who or what we can connect them with.  It requires us to be intentional in our desire to help someone else find what they’re looking for, maybe even before they recognize it.

If this comes naturally to you, thank you for all the connecting you’re doing for those of us for whom it may not come naturally.