The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #285: Scott Gerber - Stop Networking And Start Building Relationships That Matter

Show Notes:

Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
- Those who surround themselves with people smarter than them
- Empathetic
- Self-aware -- And an ability to understand others
- "We are losing connection for connectivity."
How to become a super-connector?
- "Curiosity leads to everything." -- Always be questioning...
- "Learning is the defining quality of all of it."
How to get to the core of person to better understand where they come from and their motivations...
"The Road Less Traveled" -- Constantly revise our maps of reality
"The Big Short" - "It's what you think you know that's not true that gets you in trouble."
How to answer the "What do you do?" question --
- Scott - "Try to live life purposefully"
- His nickname -- "The Pandora of Gen-Y networking"
"Social Capital is the most important currency that we have. I'm a curator of people."
- "There is so much power to bringing amazing people together."
Why it's bad to ask, "How can I help you?"
- "Marketers fundamentally f'd up this conversation." -- "It's become too formulaic as the next step. Instead, you should know how you can help and help. It's a bad question because it shows your thoughtless and it's part of a script. Don't do that."
Be exceptional at making introductions -- Does it provide mutual value?
- When you become proficient at it, take it a step further... Film a short video to make the intro. Get creative.
The gray zones -- Always ask "why?"
"Real relationships take real time"
How to create remarkable experiences:
- Get great people in the room -- carefully curate the guest list
- Build trust
- Exceptional atmosphere/environment
- Be very thoughtful about every tiny detail
The YEC summit in Eden, Utah
- Create something remarkable to ensure people and things you bring together click.
- Humanize people that run the community -- Ex: The execs serve dinner to the guests, find common touch points
- "Get the intros right! Lift your guests up, brag about them in front of their peers."
Being a connector vs being connected -- The tools
How to build consistent referrals?
- Create events where people want to bring a guest who is not a current client but could be. The event must be exceptional. Invest heavily in this.
Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
Use the "Get To Know You Document"