From future leaders to effective networkers
The IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum at IMEX is where future industry leaders gather to learn from current leaders, including entrepreneur, author and authority in story-based leadership, Christopher Kai.
The event professionals of tomorrow soaked up Christopher’s exploration of the science behind effective business networking. “Understanding networking and sales is a one-two punch for success,” explained the man behind Big Game Hunting: Networking with Billionaires, Executives and Celebrities, the networking best-seller. As he dug into how the next generation should define success in their own way, one thing became clear: Networking is an artform worthy of crafting.
On the daunting-for-some prospect of approaching people who may be millionaires or even billionaires, he reassured us that, “it’s not about net worth, it’s about self-worth.” We should be genuinely interested in who people are, not just what they do. And hitting the right balance between making a personal connection and a professional one is key. He offered a golden nugget of advice for those taking their first steps into the industry: “mentors can be your fast track to success.”
Many of us, no matter how long we’ve been in the industry, may find networking a daunting task with many possible outcomes. Approaching those who seem out of your league, or in walks of life that may be unfamiliar to you, can create nerves and a fear of failure or embarrassment. However, Christopher doesn’t see it that way: “Don’t talk to strangers is the worst piece of advice.”
