TIN #027 - What Ted Lasso Knows About Networking
Lessons on darts and networking from my favorite show
Good Morning š - Greg here.
This week, I need your help.Ā
I need to know where you want me to go.
Curious?
This issue takes less than 3 minutes to read.
I love Ted Lasso.
Itās one of my favorite shows.
One of the best scenes from the first season is The Darts Scene.
Tedās playing a game of darts against Rebeccaās ex-husband and co-owner of the team, Rupert. Of course, all the British patrons of the bar assume since Tedās American, he couldnāt be good at an English game.
The takeaway from the scene is a quote that Ted mis-attributes to Walt Whitman.
āBe curious. Not judgmental.ā
Iām curious.
And like Ted says in the scene, if youāre curious, you ask questions.
Iām not curious to know if youāve played a lot of darts.
Iām curious about this question:
Howās your networking going?
Iāve been publishing this newsletter every Saturday morning for six months. I know youāre reading it, or at least opening it, because I see the stats in my dashboard.
But are you getting better at networking?
Thatās why I write this every week.
To make you a better networker.
So, Iād love to know if itās working.
If it is, reply to this email with something like, āItās workingā or āIām getting betterā or āHereās my success story.ā
If itās not, answer the poll question below:
If thereās something else that stops you from networking, reply to this email. Tell me why youāre not networking.
Quick Hits
I donāt want you to walk away from this issue empty-handed.
Hereās one idea for the networking obstacles above.
Problem: I donāt have time.
Solution: Get Smaller. Donāt try to make 5 networking connections this week. Make one. Donāt try to have an hour long conversation in person with a connection. Have a 15 minute conversation on the phone. If you run into time constraints when youāre networking, make your actions smaller. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Check out TIN #014 for more solutions to this problem.
Problem: I donāt know anyone.
Solution: Everyone knows someone. What you really mean when you say, āI donāt know anyone,ā is you donāt know anyone who you think is important. Everyone can help you network in some way. Think of re-connecting with people you have worked with in the past (see TIN #001 for more). Think about networking in terms of getting back in touch with people who have been a part of your life. It doesnāt have to be about finding a new job or opportunity. Focus on making a couple of re-connections and see where the conversation goes.
Problem: I donāt know how to do it.
Solution: This newsletter. For the past 6 months, Iāve been sharing tips and tricks in this newsletter. Read the previous issues. Most take less than 5 minutes to read.
Problem: I feel awkward when I do it.
Solution: Give. Approach networking with a giving mindset. You are doing this to help other people. As you talk to your connections, follow Coach Lassoās advice and BE CURIOUS! Ask questions. Based on the answers, think about ways to help them.
Then, GIVE them advice, ideas, or recommendations. If you think about it from this perspective, it removes a lot of the awkwardness. Your connections will eventually ask how they can help you? Theyāll likely introduce you to someone new, and your network grows.
Problem: I need someone to push me to do it.
Solution: Iām starting my coaching program again. The goal is to make you a better networker by giving you specific networking assignments and then holding you accountable. If youāre interested, send me an email at greg@gregsroche.com.
What Else?
What else is getting in your way when it comes to networking?
Iād love to help you.
But I need to know how.
Have a great week!