Business networking is more than just exchanging business cards and making connections; it’s about cultivating curiosity, expanding your horizons, and embracing life to its fullest. Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss this perspective with Rod, who shared some profound insights about personal growth and its connection to effective business networking.
Always Remain Curious
The essence of staying vibrant and relevant in life and work is curiosity. Rod emphasised the importance of not letting the “old man” or “old woman” into your life too early. This mindset is about refusing to settle into complacency and choosing instead to remain a lifelong learner.
For instance, Rod spoke about a friend who doesn’t own a TV. Instead of spending hours watching shows, she invests her time learning and growing. This isn’t to say you can’t enjoy entertainment, but the key is balance and intentionality. When you learn new things, you expand your mind and build interesting stories that make you magnetic in any conversation—whether in personal interactions or at business networking events..
The Eternal Student
Being an eternal student means embracing challenges and exploring new opportunities. Rod shared his recent venture back into dance classes, even stepping out of his comfort zone by learning the “lead” role. It was a challenging and humbling experience, especially in close positions, but it taught him how to better understand and relate to his dance partners.
This is a powerful metaphor for life and business networking: understanding the other person’s perspective enriches your connections. Expanding your horizons doesn’t just make you more skilled; it makes you more approachable, relatable, and interesting.
How Growth Enhances Business Networking
When you’re learning and growing, your external and internal worlds align. You become happier, more confident, and naturally magnetic. People are drawn to those who radiate positivity and curiosity. Rod mentioned that when you’re fulfilled in life, it has a domino effect:
- Work feels easier: You operate in a state of flow, and everything seems to fall into place.
- Clients are attracted to you: People want to work with someone who is engaging and inspiring.
- Conversations become effortless: Business networking becomes less about “what can you do for me?” and more about genuine connections.
Challenging Yourself
Have you tried something new this year that has challenged you? How has it added value to your life? Whether it’s taking up a new hobby, diving into a skill you’ve always wanted to learn, or simply stepping out of your comfort zone, these experiences shape who you are and the energy you bring to every interaction – including at business networking events.
Rod’s return to dance is a perfect example. By stepping into an unfamiliar role, he not only improved his skills but also gained insights that translated into other areas of his life. The willingness to try, fail, and grow is what makes us relatable and human—and that’s what business networking is all about.
The Business Networking Takeaway
Business networking isn’t just about business—it’s about life. It’s about being curious, staying open to new experiences, and building genuine relationships. When you embrace life, you naturally draw people toward you. Be the person who inspires others to do the same.
So, take that dance class, learn that new skill, or strike up that unexpected conversation. Life—and business networking—thrives when you live it fully.