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Lessons - Your Network, Your Net Worth | Scott Clary · Success Story with Scott Clary

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  Today, I am going to reframe the way that you look at your network.
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  We all know your network is your net worth, but I'm going to give you a few different ideas
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  on how to properly build a network one that's actually useful way before you need it.
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  So today we're going to talk about how networking is a skill, but it's not one that they teach
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  you in school.
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  Let me give you lessons on how to build genuine connections, how to give before you ask
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  or how to curate a personal board of directors.
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  I'm going to teach over my personal playbook that I've developed to network better, which
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  includes becoming a talent scout, curating a personal board of directors and becoming
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  a reverse mentor.
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  We're going to talk about how your entire career and life can change the moment you stop
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  seeing networking as a chore and start seeing it as a strategic advantage.
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  So I'm sure you've all heard the saying, don't call me unless you need something.
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  That is the exact opposite of how to build a powerful network.
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  Here's a thought.
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  The strongest relationships are forged in the fires of mutual support, not the desperation
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  of last minute asks.
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  Let me share a story.
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  Back when I was first starting out, hustling to get my podcast off the ground, I had this
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  mentor Sarah.
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  She was a powerhouse in the industry.
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  She was someone who I deeply admired.
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  But here's a thing, I didn't just reach out to Sarah when I needed funding advice or
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  a warm intro to one of her contacts.
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  I grabbed coffee with her when I didn't need anything at all.
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  We catch up.
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  I'd share my small wins and setbacks just to give her perspective and over time, a real
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  friendship blossom.
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  It turns out I didn't need anything at all for about three years.
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  And guess what?
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  When the time came that I did need something, a crucial connection, a sounding board for
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  a tough decision.
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  Sarah was there in a heartbeat, not out of obligation, but because we had built a genuine
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  bond.
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  Think about it.
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  When you reach out to somebody only when you're in need, it's like waving a giant flag
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  that says, I'm using you.
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  It feels transactional, even desperate.
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  Nobody likes to feel used.
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  But when you reach out genuinely to offer support, share insights or just say hello, you're
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  building something far more valuable.
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  Trust.
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  Controlling that you value the relationship for its own sake, not just for what you can
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  get out of it.
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  Trust is worth its weight in gold.
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  It's the currency of a powerful network.
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  One, that will have your back when you need it most.
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  So don't be that person who only shows up when they want something.
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  Be the person who invests in relationships before they need them.
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  Now, have you ever been caught off guard by a professional setback?
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  Think about it.
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  A dream job fell through.
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  A project got derailed or a client suddenly went dark.
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  It's in those moments that it's very easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
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  That's when you need people.
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  That's also when you can't reach out to people.
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  Tap into the best of us.
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  We wish we had a network of people we could turn to for support for advice or even a new
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  lead, but that's the power of strategic networking.
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  You have to build that network that can support you before you need it.
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  How do you do that?
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  Here's a system I developed to network better.
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  Build relationships before you need them so that you're never starting from scratch when
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  the unexpected happens.
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  This is the networking system that I've developed.
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  It's three strategies to build true ties.
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  Now, the first strategy is to become a talent scout.
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  There's a saying it says bet on the jockey, not on the horse, and the same goes for your
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  network.
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  Don't just collect business cards, invest in people.
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  So you want to scout out the rising stars, the ones with that fire in their eyes.
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  They're the future CEOs, disruptors, game changers, spot the talent, the drive, and
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  the vision.
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  Be their champion.
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  Mentor them.
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  Share your hard one wisdom, open doors.
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  They didn't even know existed as they rise so do you.
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  See, building a network isn't about quantity.
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  It's about quality.
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  And when you bet on the jockey, you'll win the race.
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  The second strategy is to become a reverse mentor.
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  You've just scouted new talent.
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  Now it's time to tap into wisdom and experience.
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  So the concept of the reverse mentor is that mentorship isn't a one way street.
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  It's a two way exchange of knowledge and perspective.
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  So you want to flip the script and become what I call reverse mentor.
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  So you don't just seek wisdom.
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  You offer yours in return and the caveat is you'll offer yours before you need help.
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  So your fresh perspective on emerging tech, digital trends, innovative solutions.
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  This is gold to those people who hold power.
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  You're going to find the problem in somebody's life who is steps ahead of you and help
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  them solve it.
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  Now, how do you do this?
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  We're going to pinpoint your power.
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  What unique skills or insights do you have that a senior leader could benefit from?
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  You're going to target the right players.
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  You're going to look for open minded leaders who value diverse perspectives.
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  You're going to make your pitch, show them how your knowledge can solve their problems
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  or drive their goals.
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  And you're going to start the conversation.
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  Don't be afraid to reach out and offer your expertise.
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  You're going to become the trusted advisor.
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  You're going to build cross generational bridges and you're going to accelerate your own
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  career.
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  Remember, the student can become the teacher.
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  And the third strategy is to build your own personal board of directors.
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  Jim Rohn famously said, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time
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  with.
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  You want to elevate your average.
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  Hand pick your board of directors.
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  Not just mentors and colleagues, but your trusted advisors.
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  You're going to seek diversity, experience, skills, perspectives.
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  You're going to surround yourself with those who've been there, done that and those who
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  challenge you to think differently.
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  You're going to invest in these relationships.
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  You're going to be present.
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  You're going to be supportive.
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  You're going to be the kind of friend to these people that you wish you had.
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  And when failure strikes, this is your 18.
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  They're going to offer you guidance.
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  They're going to give you diverse perspective.
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  They're going to give you unwavering support.
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  Your board of directors isn't just a network.
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  It's your life line.
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  So I want you to stop chasing connections.
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  I want you to start cultivating relationships, ditch the transactional mindset and embrace
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  genuine connection, invest in people, not just business cards.
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  Remember, the strongest networks aren't built on desperation.
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  They're built on mutual support, trust and shared ambition.
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  This isn't just about climbing the ladder faster.
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  It's about building a community around you that will catch you if you fall, push you
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  when you hesitate and celebrate with you when you win.
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  Your network isn't just a safety net, it's your launch pad.
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  This is how you network properly.