By Hank Moore, Corporate Strategist™
One of the by-products of being a high-profile person is that you get hangers-on. Most of them mean well and just want to associate with someone successful but there are others who are groupies and some who are just outright users. The art is to discern and marginalize the weeds on your path (time zappers) by focusing on priorities and strategy.
One well meaning person kept hounding me and wanted to introduce me to people that I could form “strategic partnerships” with. Instead, it turned out that they were people who had their hands out and thought that somebody (anybody) would magically open doors for them. I kept trying to set boundaries with that person but they would not respect my parameters.
One of his “strategic partners” blindsided me with an unscheduled conference-call. Neither one asked if this was a good time to talk nor apologized for calling without any warning. In a rapid-fire sales delivery, he began by trying to sell me stock in a venture. Then he shifted from one idea to another. I patiently listened then tried to get away. This person had already called me weeks before but could not remember who I was or what I was all about. This was a “dial and smile” sales call. It was one-sided, self-focused, and all about him.
The caller then announced that he had a time commitment and that I had one minute to state my case. I explained that they had called me and that I could not tell my “story” in one minute. I said that if he did not remember talking to me before then that was the problem. He challenged me that it was my obligation to “make a difference” which he defined as me giving time and money to his pet causes. I suggested that they turn their attentions elsewhere. The caller then got hyper and talked all over me. I stated that I wasn’t interested in his projects and needed to end the call.
People who hound and use you in business are out for whatever they can get from whomever they can get it. If you resist, they will go on to the next warm body. This is why I have a problem with networking. Some are users and others are used by them while others don’t know what they are doing.
One must be resolute in protecting their most valuable and limited commodities: time, knowledge, and resources. Weeds (time zappers) are everywhere crying, “Gimme”. One can never cut all of the weeds down because they re-grow elsewhere. I’ve learned the hard way the value of prioritizing time and focusing on the people and projects that matter.
Questions to Ask About Weeds and Networking
- Is the person making the request a true friend, a business associate, or just an acquaintance? Who are they to you and what would you like for them to be?
- Will there be an outcome or payback for the other person? Will there be an outcome or payback for you? If there’s a discrepancy in these answers, how do you feel about it?
- Are there networking situations which are beneficial for all parties? If so, analyze and align with those situations rather than with the fruitless ones.
- What types of “wild goose chases” have you pursued in your networking career? Analyze them by category to see patterns.
- Is the person requesting something of you willing to offer something first?
- Are the people truly communicating when they network or are hidden agendas their reason for networking? Without communicating wants, it is tough to achieve outcomes.
- How much time away from business can you take? How does it compare with the business you can or will generate?
Cut the weeds by acknowledging that your time for networking and volunteering is a commodity. Budget it each year. Examine and benchmark the reasons and results. Set boundaries and offer your time on an “a la carte” basis. Associate with those who feel similarly. Show and demonstrate respect for each other’s time. Be careful not to pro bono yourself to death.
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Hank Moore has advised over 5,000 client organizations including public sector agencies, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and 100 of the Fortune 500. Contact Hank by phone at 713-668-0664, by email at hankmoore4218@sbcglobal.net, or visit his website at www.hankmoore.com.
