Simple Hacks for Humans – an Interview with Jordan Harbinger
In today’s increasingly disconnected world, relationships are more important than ever before. I recently interviewed podcaster and master networker Jordan Harbinger about the habits you need to build long-lasting relationships so you can succeed at the highest levels. Here are some of the top takeaways:
Identify your layoff lifelines
Who would appear on a list of people you would contact for advice if you knew you were going to get laid off tomorrow? Make that list today! The names who feature can be folks you interact with regularly, but should also include people you’ve lost touch with or don’t necessarily see a lot. Once you’ve made your list, work your way through it: email, call or reach out to everyone on there. Rekindling those relationships now, when you don’t have some kind of agenda or ask, is far more powerful than trying to reconnect in the future when you need something.
Dig the well before you get thirsty
It can feel awkward reaching out to people and trying to reconnect, but it will be far more difficult if you need someone’s help in the future and you haven’t spoken to them in years. By rekindling your relationships when you have no agenda, you are digging the well before you get thirsty. Who have you lost touch with? Who did you enjoy having in your life in the past and could be important in your future? By periodically contacting those people, like your old college roommate or a former colleague, you’re kicking the rust off the relationship and creating real trust and good feeling. Because you’re not asking for anything and just being friendly, people will naturally be really happy to hear from you. Once you’ve done this process a few times, it becomes something that you actually enjoy – it starts being fun! The added advantage is that, if you reach out to one person every day and keep the ball rolling on 365 relationships every year, there’s going to be a lot of opportunity and social support in your pipeline for the future.
Networking is the key to the kingdom and, in today’s world, it’s more important than ever before. It’s all about authentic relationships! If you want to learn more, listen to the latest episode of “It’s a Good Life”.
