I recently got this comment from a reader:
"[My biggest networking challenge is] starting! I think not having a good ice breaker outside of "Hello, my name is..." gets pretty boring and routine. Also how do I make an impression that leads to building a sincere professional relationship?"
I've already written a few articles on what it takes to easily start conversations with anyone (and anywhere). So let's focus on the second part: how to make an initial impression that paves the way to building a long-term, sincere professional relationship.
Well, here's the "secret":
- First discover a shared interest
- Then agree that you do in fact have this common interest.
After all, what would be the foundation or basis for the relationship, if you didn't have any common interests?
So when you think you might want to build a strong professional relationship with someone, start by considering these questions:
- Why do you want to build a professional relationship with this person?
- Why might the other person want to build a relationship with you?
- How did you come to this conclusion? Based on what?
Your responses to these questions will help you engage in a productive conversation with this person on this topic.
You'll be able to better explain to the other person why you're interested in building a long-term working relationship. This helps the other person get a clearer sense of where you're coming from.
You'll also be able to talk about why the other person may want to consider such a relationship as well. Who knows? You might even bring up things he or she had not considered.
And if you are sincere about what you're saying, your sincerity will naturally come through.
Try it. See how it works out for you.
