College freshmen are lectured about it on their first day of class. Young professionals race to one more boring party so they can be seen and shake hands with someone that might be able to help them — just like the business books and podcasts have instructed. Young musicians are chronically obsessed and depressed with their number of likes, views, and followers on their social media.
Today, for almost any definition of success we might identify, there is one common path to achieve it that is being shoved down our throats. That road to success is called networking. Networking is defined as the cultivation of relationships that can help us advance or move to a higher position. The message gained from this is that anything valuable in life which involves relationships — be it business, marriage, charity work or entertainment – is only attainable by networking.
There are serious problems with this single path to success. Of course, we do need others — “real” relationships and collaboration are so important. So how can we cultivate those, and bypass all the ineffective networking garbage?
The answer is serving.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “Anybody can be great because anybody can serve.” Even music business super-manager, Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber) says: “Don’t live for yourself. That is too easy. You will gain nothing from that endeavor. Live for others…That is where you will find true riches in life.”
See, the “heart” of networking is rooted in selfishness, taking and using; while the great leaders all teach us that true success comes through serving — giving generously and loving others without reservation.
So what happens when you focus on serving instead of networking? Here are five key things:
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