People People.

Ask my friends, they will tell you. I like who I like and I don’t like who I don’t.

But, guess what? I AM a people person. I network, I take the time to understand and I put the effort in with people to really understand what their passions are, what drives them and even how we could connect, I start to visual how we could make things happen together… Even when I’d rather be binging some shit reality show, I still show up and continue to work on my network. (another thing my friends will tell you is a fault of mine – the reality tv not the networking).

Here’s where people discount their skill sets. Being a people person, knowing your audience, really understanding what it is you are doing for them, that is one of, if not the most important set of skills you can have as a professional or business owner. Building a network or community of amazing people around you will always come back with rewards in the long run.

No matter what you are selling, serving, offering, advising on or building – you are in the business of people so get use to it… now is the time to understand the people that keep your business afloat, keep you accountable and help you stay motivated, whether it be a corporate partnership deal with foreign execs or holding interviews for the next intern – knowing how people tick and how you can incorporate them into your professional life will be a game changer.

Don’t underestimate the power of being a people person and the skill set that comes with it. Move yourself outside of your comfort zone and get to know the people standing right in front of you.

So now you’ve met all of the people, what is there left to do? Maintain those networks. Check in on them, like their post, send them a DM or congratulate them on their new role via LinkedIn, even if you haven’t spoken to them since you interviewed them for that intern role! Having a personal database i.e. network, could be the most important thing you do not only for your career but your life in general. We aren’t necessarily out here looking for our besties, but who knows, you might just do that along the way.