Kate Downing Khaled | Founder & CEO
Imagine sitting down for an informational interview with someone brand-new, only to be peppered with questions about whether your company is hiring and if you could put in a good word for them.
You’d probably feel a little bit taken advantage of, and like the other person only saw you for what you could offer them — not for the whole person you are.
On the other hand, I’m willing to bet that the people who mean the most to your professional life don’t talk about “careers” 100% of the time. You probably know more about each other than just your respective job titles. Maybe this person is someone who opened a door for you before you were aware it was even there.
If you can relate to the difference between these two “networking” scenarios, then you already understand the reciprocity that organizations must demonstrate in order to build true relationships with their communities.
Building these relationships is critical for community-driven strategy that leads to better business, but it’s about so much more than that. As organizations and people, being embedded in our communities builds our shared humanity.
So in order to show up and build community relationships that are truly reciprocal, give first, give often, and give generously.
The word “give” is intentional. Gifts come without strings attached or expectations of reciprocity. You need to give your time, resources, and support to the community without expecting anything in return. In an ideal world, you should be connected to your community long before you ask them for anything.
I’m a big believer that building new relationships always betters my life — as a person, as a professional, and a business owner. I’ve seen this play out time and time again, but not because I’m constantly running internal calculations about how many months/years it takes for someone to refer me to a client, or to share a resource that I really needed.
When a relationship is truly mutual and reciprocal, it benefits both parties’ lives in a spontaneous way that is impossible to guess. We live in an interconnected and interdependent world, and moving from an individualistic to a collective mentality means that everybody wins.
If you’re just getting started with devoting resources to community relationship-building, it can help to think like a community organizer. Ask yourself: How can you benefit, support, or help your community in their current endeavors?
Don’t wait to be asked, and don’t wait for an opportunity that perfectly aligns with your professional goal. Chances are, there are events and projects that your community is already inviting the public to attend and support. Find a way to show up, and don’t expect a thank you or a photo opportunity. And keep showing up again, and again, and again.
Do you have an example of how a new relationship led to an unexpected benefit in your life? Stories about spontaneous connections and reciprocal wins always brighten my day. Shoot us a note!
