Almost any networker, good or bad, is a connector. We know a fair number of people and what they do and what they need and, wherever possible we try to bring people together because they might be able to help each other.
Then there are the super-connectors. These are the folks who seem to know everyone and whom everyone seems to know. If they call, people answer the phone or return the message. They’re the first ones people think of if they need to get in contact with someone or need help with a special project.
Think about those people in your life who are super-connectors. What behaviors do they have in common? How is what they do different from what the rest of us do?
Thinking about the super-connectors I know, from Rebecca Lopez Kriss — self-described “concerned citizen”, to Cheryl O’Brien — the membership director of the Ann Arbor Chamber, to Derek Mehraban — CEO of Ingenex Media, they do seem to have one attribute in common. They all organize groups above and beyond themselves.
Rebecca helped found the YP Underground, a young professionals networking group. Cheryl runs the Chamber Ambassadors, a group of Chamber members who act as event greeters and welcome wagon for new members. Derek created the LA2M group, a weekly gathering of business professionals with an interest in marketing.
As Seth Godin would point out, they are all leaders of tribes.
So, if you want to step up to the next level and become a super-connector, you are going to have to push yourself to become something more than just a follower, too. You’ll need to go out and give value to a whole group of people. It won’t always be easy, but that’s why the super-connectors stand out.
They’re always looking for ways to serve.
