Your community is what you make it. It’s your network. It should include some people close in proximity, like family, work and social buddies, but your community can also be people hundreds, or thousands of miles away from you.
A super connector is someone who knows who to call to answer questions and solve problems. Be a super connector. It will radically transform the way you make friendships.
Super Connectors are Awesome
There are two things required of a super connector
- You need to know a lot of people
- You need to know the strengths of the people you know
The super connector is the person who knows who to call to answer questions and solve problems. You don’t become a super connector overnight, but once are one you’ll find yourself in a highly desirable position.
Not only will you have the contacts to solve your own problems (like meeting that neighbor with a lift in his garage) but you’ll also become the go-to problem solver for the rest of you network.
Approaching community involvement with the intent of becoming a super connector will change the dynamic of your conversations turning benign conversations about weather and sports into conversations about passions and dreams.
Here are just a few reasons to focus your contribution on becoming a super connector in your community:
5 Reasons to Become a Super Connector in your Community
- Everyone knows something you don’t.
Making connections opens up the opportunity to learn from the people around you. Sometimes it takes a few probing questions or even a few rounds of conversations to get to the money pot, but as long as you keep an open mind, you’re almost sure to find a mutual interest.
- Connecting people is seen as a huge help
Whether it’s finding the right hair dresser or graphic designer, people love it when they find someone who can do what they need done.
Once you get to know enough people you can make those connections and that can be seen as a tremendous help. And when you help people out, more often than not, they’re going to want to help you out.
- When people learn what’s important to you, they may try to help
Going back to the deeper conversations, when you share your passions and problems with other people, many will genuinely want to help.
I heard this great tip on a Bigger Pockets Podcast once; when you meet people and they ask how you’re doing, instead of saying ‘good’ say ‘good, but I’m really trying to find someone who can help me solve this problem I’m working on’.
Be proactive in telling people about your passions and doors will open that you didn’t know existed.
- You’ll be in a position to influence positive change in your community
The only true constant in life is change, so as your community changes around you, if you’re involved and well connected you can have more control over that change.
- Making connections grows your list of people to call when hardship strikes
I really love this one, and it reminds me of when I deployed to Africa. Before going, my wife and I made a document of who she could call for whatever came up; electrical problem, plowing, firewood, dog sitting, you name it.
So many of our own problems can be solved just by knowing the right person to call.
How to be a super connector in your community
Being a super connector is great for your community because making bonds makes the community stronger, and it’s also great for you because you’ll find all the right people to help you solve your own problems.
But, like I said, it takes time. Here are some ways to start becoming a super connector.
- Spread your volunteering
Rather than dedicating yourself to only one organization, stretch yourself out a little by giving some time to a town committee, some to a kid’s sport team, and some to volunteer for your local easter egg hunt.
Whatever it is, the more you diversify your giving, the more network connections you’ll make.
- Get active on the socials
Nothing works better to connect with like-minded people around the globe than the social media networks. I’ll be the first to tell you, and very vocal, that they do not take the place of personal interactions, but they are a tool that can facilitate growing your in-person network.
Consider a Facebook group for your town, or church, or find one for local homesteaders and farmers. Participate as much as is appropriate for you, but with the intent of finding ways to connect in person over time.
- Encourage family to participate
Grow your network by growing your network’s network. The best example of this is when my wife meets a new friend through her mom’s network and she comes home excited about getting me to meet one of the other husbands because he farms, cooks, hunts, logs, whatever.
- Attend and participate in local government
As you and I get to know each other, you’ll learn that I am in favor of smaller government, but the only way to influence change is to be involved. So whether it’s your Home Owners Association (HOA) or your select board or a town committee, getting involved and participating is a great way to grow your network.
Mutually Beneficial Relationships
Although it would seem shallow to approach community involvement for personal gain, it would be as inappropriate to pretend that wasn’t a major motivator for us.
So let’s be honest with ourselves and address the reality that we really do want to help our community, but we also want to improve our own life in the process.
I think that’s more respectable than not getting involved at all.
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