You know those “ugh” moments? Those instances where you realize you’ve missed something really obvious? Like when you’re frantically looking for your keys only to realize that you’ve been holding them the entire time?
(Not that I know anything about that.)
I was laid off… and trying to re-launch a business (it’s a long story). I knew that finding the solution to both challenges necessitated reconnecting with a lot of people and seeing if they could connect me to some decision-makers. A quick review of my LinkedIn contacts showed that I was closer than I expected to meeting some of these new faces. At first I felt relieved and empowered!
This was quickly overcome with a short but intense bout of embarrassment and humiliation.
The connections had always been there – just keystrokes away – and through people I’ve known for a long time. I unintentionally dismissed how well-connected and important my personal contacts really were. I was guilty of a very naïve assumption – “If I don’t know someone important, you probably don’t either.”
For my contacts that may be reading this, I’m REALLY sorry.
When was the last time you blocked out an hour to do nothing but inventory whom your friends/associates have listed as their contacts on LinkedIn? This time could be as eye-opening an experience for you as it was for me. And, if nothing else, it will serve as a brainstorming session: (“That’s interesting. I never thought of connecting with someone from that company.”)
I don’t take it for granted any more. As soon as someone accepts an invitation to connect with me (or vice versa), the first thing I do is review their connections. There may be nothing but new ideas. Or there may be the need to prioritize the order of people I would like to be introduced to.
You just never know… but your connections might.
It was certainly a lesson worth learning. Of course, now I’m burdened with waiting for my next “ugh” moment to hit.
Now where the hell did I put my keys?
