The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #285: Scott Gerber - Stop Networking And Start Building Relationships That Matter

Show Notes:

• Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
  • Those who surround themselves with people smarter than them
  • Empathetic
  • Self-aware -- And an ability to understand others
  • "We are losing connection for connectivity."
• How to become a super-connector?
  • "Curiosity leads to everything." -- Always be questioning...
  • "Learning is the defining quality of all of it."
• How to get to the core of person to better understand where they come from and their motivations...
• "The Road Less Traveled" -- Constantly revise our maps of reality
• "The Big Short" - "It's what you think you know that's not true that gets you in trouble."
• How to answer the "What do you do?" question --
  • Scott - "Try to live life purposefully"
  • His nickname -- "The Pandora of Gen-Y networking"
• "Social Capital is the most important currency that we have. I'm a curator of people."
  • "There is so much power to bringing amazing people together."
• Why it's bad to ask, "How can I help you?"
  • "Marketers fundamentally f'd up this conversation." -- "It's become too formulaic as the next step.  Instead, you should know how you can help and help.  It's a bad question because it shows your thoughtless and it's part of a script. Don't do that."
• Be exceptional at making introductions -- Does it provide mutual value?
  • When you become proficient at it, take it a step further... Film a short video to make the intro. Get creative.
• The gray zones -- Always ask "why?"
• "Real relationships take real time"
• How to create remarkable experiences:
  • Get great people in the room -- carefully curate the guest list
  • Build trust
  • Exceptional atmosphere/environment
  • Be very thoughtful about every tiny detail
• The YEC summit in Eden, Utah
  • Create something remarkable to ensure people and things you bring together click.
  • Humanize people that run the community -- Ex: The execs serve dinner to the guests, find common touch points
  • "Get the intros right! Lift your guests up, brag about them in front of their peers."
• Being a connector vs being connected -- The tools
• How to build consistent referrals?
  • Create events where people want to bring a guest who is not a current client but could be.  The event must be exceptional.  Invest heavily in this.
• Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
• Use the "Get To Know You Document"