Five Attributes a Networker Can Learn From Tiger Woods!

As far as I’m concerned, Tiger Woods has well established himself as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He is a consummate professional and expert in his field. He has built an empire around his identity.

Whether you’re watching Tiger on the course or off, he seems to always carry himself with dignity and poise. He makes a great first impression and leaves a positive lasting impression. Business professionals who spend any time networking can learn a lot from Tiger Woods. Here are my top five specific attributes a networker can learn from Tiger Woods:

1. FOCUS
When Tiger is on the course, he is all about focus. Nothing comes between him and the game. You can see the concentration and focus in his eyes and in his body language.

An effective networker needs to focus in the same manner. Focus on the goal that you set for each event. Focus on the outcome of each event you attend. Focus on the people that you want to help that day. Focus on not selling yourself to other people.

During a networking event, the best networkers are those who are focused on being there … in the moment. They’re not concerned about their calendar or to do list waiting for them. Their cell phone is on silence or turned off completely. They’re focused on what is happening at the event and what they can give to their relationships.

2. DISCIPLINE
In my mind, discipline means setting a plan and sticking to it. Nearly everything that Tiger does is according to plan. He sets goals for himself and intends to do what it takes to meet those goals. He sticks to his plan or is able to modify his plan if necessary … especially when life throws him a curve ball. Tiger practices discipline … on the course and off.

Do you have a networking plan? Do you have weekly, monthly, or yearly networking goals? Networkers that plan and practice discipline to meet that plan are the most effective. Imagine if you did have a networking plan. A networking plan could help you further focus your energies, your marketing efforts, your time, and your money. Think of the time, money and energy you could save by being disciplined enough to stick to your plan.

3. PRACTICE
Tiger has played golf nearly all his life. Even though Tiger is a professional golfer, he still makes time to practice. If he didn’t, he would lose his competitive edge. Practice allows Tiger to focus on the details of the game … the details that he can’t focus on while competing. He practices everything from his swing to his putt to his footing. He practices on different surfaces and in different weather. He practices in order to be adequately prepared.

How do you practice your networking skills? Do you practice in different venues and organizations? Or, are you a one shot wonder? A one shot wonder means that you find one networking venue, like BNI, and you plant your feet firmly …making that your only networking venue. Doing so will limit the size, strength and diversity of your network.

On the other hand, if you allow your feet to take you to other networking venues, such as Chamber functions, professional association meetings, lunch & learns, etc. you’ll be able to practice your networking skills on different surfaces, like Tiger. This type of practice more aptly prepares you for the broader world of networking and opens the door for endless opportunities.

4. POISE
Poise is maintaining balance and composure. Tiger Woods emulates both balance and composure extremely well. His form while hitting the golf ball is balanced and composed. His demeanor on the course is also balanced and composed. I can’t think of any instance where Tiger lost his composure … especially during competition. Unlike other professional athletes, like Terrel Owens of the Dallas Cowboys, who rants and runs his lip scolding even his coach while sharing his dissatisfaction. This unprofessional, child-like behavior is well below that of Tiger Woods. Sure, Tiger might get frustrated with his own performance on occasion. However, I don’t think you’d see him bending his golf club anytime soon.

Networking equally takes poise … balance and composure. A diverse, balanced network will serve you well. It allows you to position yourself as a center of influence, by introducing him to someone in your network to solve his problem. Balancing your time well also allows you to ensure that you make time for networking. Otherwise, you might find yourself locked up in your cave of an office!

Maintaining composure at a networking function is crucial towards enhancing your approachability. In this case, I’m not talking about stomping your feet if the speaker is running late … however, that would certainly impact your approachability, too. Instead, I’d like you to think about your composure as it relates to selling at a networking event. Networking events are not about selling and closing deals! Networking events are intended to help people meet other people in order to begin to form new business relationships … not to sell each other products and services. In order to maintain your composure while networking focus on helping others in a giving mindset … not looking to profit in a getting mindset.

5. FOLLOW THROUGH
Have you ever watched Tiger Woods swing a golf club? He has incredible follow through from start to finish. His whole body is involved in the process, perfectly in tune with the right motion. It’s almost like his body is functioning on auto-pilot. The most intriguing of all is that his motion is consistent. If something were to change, it would have a ripple effect through to the results of each swing.

Building relationships requires exceptional follow through. Like Tiger, your swing does not end until the motion is complete. Each motion that you take with a colleague requires consistent follow through. Whether it’s scheduling the next meeting, mailing the article you promised, connecting them with the person you discussed, following up on a referral, or sending a thank you card. Effective networkers fine tune their follow through process so that it’s consistent with each and every motion. Then, they follow the process that’s been put in place almost like as if they’re on auto-pilot.

This article has given you five insights into effective networking: focus, discipline, practice, poise and follow through. Tiger Woods’ application of these five attributes has helped to make him not only famous and wealthy, but a true expert in his field. Imagine what the daily application of these attributes, as they relate to networking, can do for you and your business? My hope is that you will take them to heart and make them a part of how you do business as Tiger makes them a part of how he plays the game of golf and life.

By Michelle R. Donovan, The Referability Expert and owner of Pinnacle Training Services and Referral Institute in Sewickley, PA. Michelle teaches a referral generating system that covers all aspects of productive and effective business networking and referral marketing. Her goal is to provide business owners with continuous never-ending profitability from word of mouth referrals.