The Beauty of Positive Networking

The Beauty of Positive Networking Sometimes we just need to be with people. Other times we can be all peopled out. How to connect with AgileDad: - [website] ⁠https://www.agiledad.com/⁠ https://www.agiledad.com/ - [instagram] ⁠https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/⁠ https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/ - [facebook] ⁠https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/⁠ https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/ - [Linkedin] ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/

• 0:16Speaker 00

  All right, it's Friday, so it's time for our Agile Not So Agile episode of the Daily Standard Podcast. And let me tell you what I've discovered. I've had a pretty good week. I had opportunity to speak at a bunch of industry conferences this week. And I just wanted to talk about the power of connectivity. One of the things that I saw as I was networking and meeting others is that every single person I met was longing for the opportunity to hang with real people and talk to real people. And what I could tell you is before the pandemic, there was this magic that I called, or at least that's what I referred to it as. And the magic was people wanted to be good to people. People wanted to be surrounded by good people.

• 0:59Speaker 00

  People wanted to be around people who had similar interests. People wanted to explore the things that they could do to make a difference in their companies, but also in their own personal lives. So it was beyond the professional side. And for a long time, you know, through the pandemic and then after, people started getting really comfortable working remote. And you know, no, no, no bad vibes for people who work remote. That's not what I'm saying. But I knew that over time, it would become a stress symbol. And let me explain what I mean by that. Oftentimes, when you're working remote and you're on your own, you'll quickly discover that you don't necessarily want to be on your own, that you, you want to be around colleagues, peers, or other people who think like you do.

• 1:44Speaker 00

  You want to have friendships and do things. And while I really believe it did a good job of strengthening families in many homes, I also feel like it did a good job of stressing people out. And you know, once again, not trying to throw rocks in a glass house. But what I discovered is that people who were working from home were stressed because they didn't have anyone else to talk to. They weren't investing in other people. And even more stressed that the people they love the most are spending so much time with, they're like, oh, I need a break. I need, I need to step back. And what I can tell you is it was it was pretty insane to see the way people at the conference reacted or felt differently or do what they could because what I witnessed

• 2:28Speaker 00

  was a resurgence of what was happening before the pandemic. Where people kind of enjoyed having the balance of being around like minded people and then going back to their families after. And with the power of all the upgraded and new remote technologies where we can connect and talk to one another. It was really a great opportunity. But the thing that surprised me the most that probably shouldn't have surprised me, but did was we had an opportunity to see how people longed for connectivity, how they longed for some of the best things. And what I can tell you is the people at the conference were there to learn, but they're also there to be around others. And I think that's the key.

• 3:13Speaker 00

  The key is getting this balance. I think that too often we say, I'm an introvert. I don't want to be around anybody. And then I heard some people at the conference say, quote, I'm all peopled out, right? And when I said they're all peopled out, I don't think it was that they didn't want to be around people. I think they just felt like, you know what, we've, we've had our fill. Well, we're good. And and I can relate to both sides. But my challenge for you is to try to find a way, try to find an opportunity to spend quality time with your family, not just work time. And try also to find a way to spend quality time with your peers and the people that that that roll in the same crowds as you do. The people who walk the same streets as you do. Because what I do know is when you do,

• 3:56Speaker 00

  you'll discover that that balance, that friendship and the acquaintances and the people that you meet and networking that you'll find people can help you through your daily problems at work. But you'll also find people you can relate to who are a lot like you, which is pretty darn incredible. So take that opportunity. Don't be bashful about it. Take the opportunity, figure it out. Don't be shy. Try to attend some of these conferences. There's another one coming up in Vancouver here in the next week, and then I know there's another one coming up in Toronto very soon for PMBA. There are just lots of opportunities. And what I can promise you is, you know, after being social this week with all those different people, I feel recharged and energized. And I hope that even if you're an introvert, that you can, that you can find a way.

• 4:42Speaker 00

  To insert yourself into so many situations where you can learn from other people and you can be part of other people's walk because I can assure you that if you can walk with other people that you're going to find some happiness and joy that you didn't know you needed. So introduce yourself to someone new, be a social creature, find a way to get out of your comfort zone. And I promise you, if you do, that you'll have blessings untold because it's just, it's a natural way for us to behave as humans. So that's going to do it. I hope you enjoyed this episode. I hope you have an amazing weekend. If you have a topic you want to talk about, make sure you get back to us, learn more at agiledad.com. We'd love to hear from you. And as always, we encourage you to stay healthy, stay well, and stay agile, my friends. Until next time, do take care. Bye now.