How Do You Handle the Mutual Introduction?
While to some extent connecting individuals with common interests has always existed, and in certain professions, (sales, marketing, customer service), it has always been part of the professional practice of such disciplines, the need for individuals who have never previously met with each other to connect is becoming more prevalent. For many years, professionally individuals often worked for companies for long stretches of time. It was not uncommon for an individual to work 30 or 40 years at the same company, and even within the same department of that company. As such, when thinking of work colleagues, there was a select group of individuals in one’s life. While that often led to life-long friendships, it also led to discomfort when meeting with someone outside of one’s profession, or even one’s company.
In the world of work today, if an individual works at a certain company for 4 to 5 years, it is considered a long time. Companies merge with other companies. Individuals are hired into assignments as consultants, temporary workers, right to hires, etc. As such, growing one’s professional network becomes as much of a necessity as opposed to just something to do because one enjoys doing it.
My role as a professional career and job search strategy coach puts me in touch with a lot of people. In meeting individuals, or even working and strategizing with them on how to move their job search forward, it is not uncommon for me to look to connect individuals with common interests or needs. When I think it would be a good idea for people to connect with each other, there are some guidelines I look to follow. In turn the individuals meeting with each other, should also be considering some guidelines when meeting with each other.
As the one considering doing the introduction, I will first ask each individual if they would feel comfortable with me doing so. I’ll look to give them a background on the other individual, and share with them my thoughts on why I believe they may be a good connection. Once having the agreement of both parties, I look to introduce them, often through an email type letter, (unless I truly have the ability to introduce them in person. This is not always possible in today’s world where sometimes the connections that would benefit from speaking with each other may live a considerable distance apart). In my email, I will write a quick paragraph to each individual reasserting the common background I believe the two individuals share. I may bring out a highlight of each one’s career. My purpose for doing this is twofold. One it reminds the parties again why I am bringing them together. Secondly, it gives them a potential conversation starter when they agree on how to connect.
Once I have brought the two parties together, I gently back away. I stay available if either party reaches out to reinforce the introduction. However, for the most part, my role in the process is done. What I hope and expect of each of them is the following. First, the two parties should look to establish an interest in each other. Learn more about each other’s background. If one has experienced something that the other is looking to learn more about, perhaps ask how they got started with the interest. What do they like about it? What advice might they have for someone looking to explore that interest?
Usually in these connections one person may have a particular need at the moment more than the other. However, it should not stop the person with the need of asking the individual giving the advice or the guidance that the other needs, to ask the giver, what may they need? How might they be of help to them? Certainly look to learn more about them as a person. While not all mutual introductions go beyond maybe a one-time meeting or call, I have known of several that have established a continued ongoing relationship that has lasted months or even years.
So, whether you are one who is making the introduction, or the one who has been introduced to another, make the most of the situation. Take the time to get to know your new connection. Learn what they are about. Think of ways you may be of benefit to them. And, if you can’t think of immediate ways to help, at minimum thank them for their time and advice and stay in touch with them because you never know when them, because you never know when you can be of help to them in the future.
