Six Differences Between Networking And Building Relationships

There is a difference between networking and building relationships. I’m sure they each have their place.

I’m not sure where this came from, but it was a note I made a while back and thought I would share it here:

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NETWORKING

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RELATIONAL BUILDING

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Is about meeting people

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Is about investing in people

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Is a task

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Is a commitment

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Is about talking

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Is about listening

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Is about taking

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Is about learning

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Is for the future

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Is for the present

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Is more about getting

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Is more about giving

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I’m not against the word or concept of networking, but I do like the ideas of focusing on relationships. We can connect with people. We can invest in people. We can personalize our relationships with people.

This slight tweak in focus is not only valuable to ministry leaders to but also to every aspect of the marketplace! A small adjustment in how you approach your interactions could unlock many new doors and could be a joyful journey of connections!

Tell me what you think – do you agree with the differences in these lists?

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Other Posts:

Learn the Gardening Principle and Watch Your Relationships Flourish

A Short Course In Human Relations

Mentoring Student Ministry Leaders

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

When Work and Family Collide – Andy Stanley

This was a great book for anyone who is a ministry leader and has a family. I love the concepts in this book of leaving your family “holding the rock.” You can do it for a while, but not for too long. I also love the concept of working 45 hours a week and praying that the Lord can use that time to build the church. Practical List: five bedtime questions you can ask your kids.

Order a copy.

Ten Commandments of Marriage

Three Stages Of Marriage

Buy the book.

How To Become A Great Boss

You Get What You Inspect, Not What You Expect (5 Tips For Inspecting)

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The Ideal Team Player – Patrick Lencioni

The Ideal Team Player is about the three main virtues for someone to work well on a team. The three main virtues are Humble, Hungry and Smart. All three are needed, two out of three won’t do. The good news is, once defined, team members can work to grow in improvement. As an example, if you are hungry (willing to go after it) and smart (able to connect and work well with others) but not humble, you become very difficult to be around. If, for example, you are smart and humble but not hungry to jump in and make things happen, people really love you and get along with you, but you won’t last long because you’re not getting things done. It’s a great book! Read: Summary Post

Whale Done – The Power of Positive Relationships – Ken Blanchard

This book is a story of how we can help those around us – at work and at home – when we accentuate the positive side of things, rather than the negative. It’s a fun story to read comparing the training of killer whales to all aspects of life.

Read: The ABC’s Of A High Performance Church Staff

Outstanding! 47 Ways To Make Your Organization Exceptional – John Miller

Broken up to 47 little tiny chapters, this was a fun book to read and can apply to anyone in ministry or anyone leading an organization. From working with what you have to developing people to making sure you know who is in charge, there is tons of practical advice in this book!