Human beings may like to think that they can successfully “go it alone” be it professionally or personally and to a certain extent “doing one’s own thing” is true, but in reality and especially during challenging and turbulent times, it is important to reach out to trusted individuals and friends and build stronger “bridges” with them. Sometimes the challenges experienced during turbulent times may require unconventional solutions which may be readily available with the help of others.
This is not to say that the challenges cannot be realised individually, but it is more about getting different support levels whilst still continuously pushing comfort zones. Ever felt like “it’s an uphill struggle” when it comes to personal or professional challenges? It doesn’t have to be that way because people aren’t expected to “know it all” either. Greater empowerment can be achieved by connecting with the right people as Keith Ferrazzi says "Success in any field, but especially in business is about working with people, not against them."
Despite being creatures of habit, human beings generally need to feel that there are people out there who are looking out for them and genuinely want them to achieve the best they can and vice versa. Connecting with others has never been easy as it is now due to technology enhancements making the connecting process with friends, family and business partners fast at a touch of button and inexpensively too.
The world may be big, but it’s getting smaller due to technological innovation and there has never been a more exciting time to “building bridges” than now. Take social networking platforms like Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, LinkedIn, Twitter etc for example who advocate the importance of “Connect, Connect, Connect” and many people have benefited tremendously from connecting socially with one another. Even the marketers have clocked on to “Building bridges” because “it pays to be connected.”
Seeking the “Right” People
However, despite having a plethora of social networking sites to choose from, it is worth identifying a few key individuals who will make an impact at a professional and personal. It may be even turn out to be a mutually benefiting and reciprocal relationship. It is also worth noting that people will be surprised how willing and helpful trusted individuals and friends can be when approached for peer support.
All too often, many people are afraid of reaching out and asking for peer support because it may be seen as a “weakness” or they fear being rejected, but such a perspective/attitude is so far removed from the truth. For sure, there are no guarantees that the person(s) being approached for peer support will offer the support which is being sought , but that is not to say there aren’t other people out there who would be more than willing to fill that supportive role.
Benefits of Building “Stronger Bridges”
Building solid relationships with people required effort and time and such relationships will work if they are honest, open, fair, fun and above all supportive yet constructive for both sides. Below are just some benefits of having trusted individuals advising, mentoring and celebrating:
- Personal development
- Win-win solutions to challenges
- Meeting people who genuinely want each other to do well professionally and personally
- Setting bigger and better goals
- Goal setting becomes a fun process
- Exchange of ideas and information
- Many learning opportunities
- Mutual peer support challenges individuals just outside their comfort zones
- Celebrate achievement milestones
Greater and more meaningful connections with others seem to be more important now than ever before as a result of challenging and turbulent times requiring people to be more inventive, whilst adopting a “win-win” approach to building stronger relationships professionally and personally. Marketers and business gurus have already cottoned onto the fact that “people buy people” and the stronger the connection, the greater the opportunity to build trust, respect and above all create opportunities for mutual gain and support.
How to Select Individuals to Create Peer Support?
The following may assist in selecting trusted advisors and individuals and the key here is to select whatever works best at an individual level whilst having fun in the process
- Select 5 - 10 people with whom stronger bridges may be built.
- Think about the qualities which are admirable about each individual on the list
- Think of ways a “stronger bridge” could be mutually beneficial to both parties
- Get in touch with the individual and let them know why they have been approached and tell them how peer support could be of benefit for one another
- Keep on connecting, connecting, connecting and remember it doesn’t even have to be for “business” or personal development, “building bridges” can be built with people just for fun!
References
- Keith Ferrazzi. Who’s Got Your Back. Broadway Books, New York 2009.
- Keith Ferrazzi Never Eat Alone. Bantam Dell Publishing Group. 2007
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