Post-Media: We Find Out What's Going On From Each Other

Those wanting the real scoop on whatever are turning to their peers. Not establishment media centers, which, as Axios documents, have become fragmented, therefore not usually capturing the total picture. In addition, social media is losing its influence in serious business matters. 

So, that's all the more reason to beef up our skills in networking. The job-search reality, as we know, is that opportunity usually comes through personal contacts, not an email campaign or applying through job boards and even companies' portals. Now, the importance of personal contacts extends to making it professionally day-to-day with the information, insight and help opening doors that we need.

Last week a brandname coach contacted me, not scrolled media coverage, about the going rate to bill for group sessions. It was a cold contact. I shared what I knew because this was a relationship I needed to develop. Yes, my focus is on building networks. I advise clients to do the same.

Obviously the growing importance of people contacts means continually updating our personal branding and social skills. 

An old-line guide - Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" - remains useful. Also there are organizations such as Toastmasters which provide at a low cost forever training in the presentation of self. In addition, there is simply observing those with large networks and grafting onto our persona what is not a forced fit. Since 2020, I have been doing just that with the head of large law firm Paul, Weiss - Brad Karp. In particular that analytical exercise has toned down my socialization in being too direct in communications. 

No surprise, the lion's share of my coaching deals with how to manage communications in professional situations. Clients are receptive to the guidance if the advice is laid out there as choices. If you do this, that is likely to happen. If you do that, this could unfold. 

Limiting beliefs? Self-defeating? Stuck? Complimentary consultation with Coach Jane Genova (text/phone 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com)  


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