Since we’re discussing legal networking, I’d like to weigh in with one always-relevant rule of thumb: Don’t be an asshole. Seems easy enough, but lots of lawyers get this one wrong!
Let me give you a recent few examples:
How Not to Network
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You approach me about a possible business partnership. After being consistently rude throughout the discussions, you send an email asking me to “prove” something is true, suggesting I lied about it. When that one’s ignored, you send two more, suggesting that I’m stupid in addition to being dishonest. You know where this potential partnership is going? Nowhere fast.
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You get in touch out of the blue, demanding that I promote your new project on social media without even a “Hi! How are you?” Sorry, I don’t think so.
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Speaking of social media, every single item you send out is about yourself and how great you are. I wonder why no one ever reTweets your fantastic articles. Oh wait, no I don’t.
The bottom line is that no one helps people they dislike (at least not voluntarily).
Back in the day, maybe lawyers could bully their way to some degree of success, but that’s increasingly less true. In a social, networked world, word spreads fast…and no one wants to work with assholes.
Want people to help you out and support you? Be nice to them. (Even if you’re secretly an asshole.)
Try it, you might be surprised at the results you get!
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