Have You Heard the Saying… "What Comes Around, Goes Around"?
When you hear the phrase “What comes around, goes around,” what comes to mind? Does it evoke positive or negative thoughts? Perhaps you remember your mum saying it when she was upset about someone’s wrongdoing, as if she were predicting some karmic retribution. We often associate this phrase with the idea that negative actions will lead to negative consequences.
But what if we flipped the script and applied this concept in a positive way? What if we approached life and particularly networking, with the belief that good deeds will return to us in kind? This mindset can be incredibly powerful when building relationships, whether in person at networking events or through social media.
Networking: How Can I Help You?
When you approach networking with the attitude of “How can I help you?”, you’re not just focusing on what you can gain, but on how you can genuinely support others. This creates a cycle of goodwill and trust that can have a lasting impact on your professional relationships.
- Connect people, and you’ll get connected: If you take the time to introduce individuals within your network who might benefit from knowing each other, you’ll find that others will do the same for you.
- Give referrals and you’ll get recommended: When you refer clients, partners or businesses to others, they’re more likely to recommend you in return. A referral is a powerful endorsement and when done sincerely, it fosters reciprocal trust and loyalty.
- Share great content and yours will be shared: By promoting valuable and insightful content from others, you’ll build credibility within your community. In turn, people will be more inclined to share your content, amplifying your reach and visibility.
- Like a business page and yours will get noticed: It’s a small gesture, but one that builds connections. Supporting others on social media by liking or following their business pages can lead to them doing the same for you, increasing your audience.
This isn’t about keeping score or expecting immediate returns. It’s about building relationships on the foundation of generosity and goodwill. When you give without expecting anything in return, you often receive far more than you could have imagined.
The Power of Positive Networking
When you approach networking with a “What can I do to help you?” mindset, the results can be transformative. People naturally gravitate towards those who are helpful and genuine. You’ll find that by focusing on what you can give, rather than what you can get, opportunities will come back to you in unexpected ways.
Whether you’re at a networking event, having a casual conversation or interacting on social media, always consider how you can add value. Helping others, even in small ways, creates a ripple effect. You might not see immediate results, but over time, your generosity will come back around in the form of stronger relationships, new opportunities and a wider network of support.
Tips for Practising Positive Networking
Here are a few practical ways you can adopt this mindset in your networking efforts:
- Listen more than you speak: When meeting someone new, focus on understanding their needs and how you can help. Ask thoughtful questions and listen to their challenges.
- Make meaningful introductions: When you meet two people who could benefit from knowing each other, don’t hesitate to introduce them. Be proactive in connecting your contacts.
- Give without expectation: Whether it’s a referral, a share or a ‘like’, do it because you genuinely want to help, not because you expect something in return.
- Follow up and stay in touch: Networking doesn’t end after a single interaction. Keep the relationship going by following up with a friendly message or sharing a useful resource.
- Be consistent: Make helping others a regular part of your networking routine. The more you give, the more you’ll naturally receive in the long run.
Try It and Let Me Know How You Get On
I encourage you to give this approach a try. At your next networking event, or even on your social media, start with the question, “How can I help you?” and see where it leads. You might be surprised by how quickly the goodwill you create comes back to you. And when it does, remember that what comes around, really does go around – in the best possible way.
Let me know how you get on with this approach. I’d love to hear your success stories!
