How does Networking Fulfil Our Human Needs ?
Connection is one of our most important human needs, that is why our relationships are key. That’s why networking is a life skill, that we need to develop and value, personally and professionally.
Have you heard of Tony Robbins, the motivational speaker, author and life coach? You will find many videos, books and programs that he has created if you Google him. Perhaps you’ve heard him talk about our core needs as human beings? He suggests that these needs are common to all human beings, but how we value and sequence them determines the direction our lives take.
Relationships are key
I would like to touch on some key points. He identifies the needs as follows:
• Certainty/Comfort: the need to feel in control and know what’s coming next. We want to feel secure and safe. It affects how much risk we are willing to take in all areas of our life. The higher the need for certainty, the less risk we are willing to endure.
• Uncertainty/Variety: the need for variety and surprise, adventure, challenges, excitement and change. The first two needs work with each other and can be in or out of balance. This is where surprises and problems can stem from. Our ability to experience and manage the discomfort of uncertainty affects our capacity to change and grow through our lives.
• Significance: the need to feel important, special, noticed and needed, worthy of respect and affection. This need is driven by innate responses to life experience, good and bad, and our interaction with others.
• Love and Connection: the need for communication and attachment, to feel connected with other human beings. I believe no one achieves anything alone; we are all different, but we are all human, and the need to be connected in some way to others is in our DNA.
• Growth: The need for ongoing emotional, intellectual and spiritual development. If you are not growing in some way you are unlikely to experience a sense of well being and fulfillment. When we grow, we give and, even in small ways, contribute to the well being of others.
• Contribution: The need to give, care, protect and help others. When you care, connect and share with others, you experience a bigger and better life.
Robbins says these six needs explain why we act or are motivated to act in particular ways.
He defines the first four needs - certainty, variety, significance, love and connection - as needs of our personality, whilst growth and contribution are identified as needs of the spirit. The way we experience these needs day to day directs our decisions and behaviours as we fulfil our needs in a constructive or destructive way.
Robbins concludes: ‘Life is really about creating meaning. And meaning does not come from what you get, it comes from what you give. Ultimately, it’s not what you get that will make you happy long term, but rather who you become and what you contribute that will.’
I want you to consider the impact on community if people moved away from WIIFM (what’s in it for me) and moved to a place of WDCIM (what difference can I make). Through our networks we can start a ripple effect and help not only ourselves achieve our goals but make a difference to the lives of others.
Networking Fulfils Our Human Needs
Networking fulfills all of our core human needs. I have talked about the benefits of networking many times already, but here is a recap of the core benefits; I cannot emphasise strongly enough the potential for you to change your business and life experience by fully participating in networking events driven from the heart.
• Building networks connects us with others and allows us to find the support we need if we invest in creating relationships with those we know, like and trust. These relationships provide security, reassurance, predictability and sufficient certainty to work out how to cope with matters beyond our control.
• Having a diverse network enriches our lives and expands our horizons and understanding of the world and those in it. It creates room for constructive uncertainty and variety; it creates room to grow.
• Through networking we can make significant contributions that help others in meaningful ways. We can provide knowledge and experience, and therefore we can add value. We can help others feel supported and less alone. The feeling of satisfaction derived from helping others is irreplaceable; the sense of fulfilment spills over into every aspect of our lives.
• Networking provides opportunities for us - and others - to acknowledge our unique qualities. It meets our essential need for connection with people who understand us and respect who we are.
For those of you I have not met in person, let me introduce myself. I am Kerryn Powell. I am a catalyst, connector and lover of people, focused on helping others achieve what matters to them. I have lived in Melbourne all my life but have travelled extensively both locally and overseas. I have been married to my husband Leigh for more than half my life, we have two independent adult children—Nick and Olivia, a daughter-in-law Beth and I am nanna to Harry.
Conversations throughout my life with countless people from diverse backgrounds, industries and cultures have allowed me to learn so much and to grow personally and professionally.
I am here to help you start or improve your networking journey and help you understand the significance of the relationships and conversations you have throughout your life. The above is an extract from my book and is available on my website. I also invite you to follow me on LinkedIn HERE.