Last month, I was fortunate to be asked to participate in a 2-day client symposium for law firm CMOs and Managing Partners put together by my brilliant friends at The Wicker Park Group [wickerparkgroup.com]. Nat and Laura curated a highly interactive and engaged group of professionals to discuss innovative law firm marketing initiatives, cutting-edge client service and focused business development strategies- all with an underlying focus on what’s game-changing now.

To discuss what’s game-changing, you need to know something about the traits of game-changers. The fabulous Sara Robinson started the conversation with her list of 5 traits of game changers (watch Sara’s video presentation to the group: [escaping-mediocrity.com]).

In my role as President of 85 Broads, I was asked to speak on networks. I think about networking all the time as well as membership engagement, interaction and communications, however, it was good to spend some time reflecting on the question: What’s game-changing now about professional networks?

My Answer – which is #15 on the list assembled at the WPG Client Symposium – Connecting.

Connecting people in a professional network, connecting information, providing access and generating ideas and passing those connections along, and in the process strengthening your network through easy connectivity and generous connections.

Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter – these social networks help find and build “connections” of friends, professional contacts and followers. But being online, electronically accessible, with lots of friends, followers and connections is not necessarily “game changing”. And doesn’t necessarily lead to strong connections.

The human connections are what count. Adding value to those human connections counts even more.

“Bridge the gap” in creating connections between the people, information and ideas in your network, start tapping into and activating your network, so that it is more than a number count of friends, contacts and followers.

A study by Professor Steven Casper at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) on the failure of LA to develop a biotech cluster illustrates the importance of connections. Casper concluded after an 18-month study that what’s missing in LA is “a rich social network connecting scientists, entrepreneurs, managers and venture capitalists who are in the business of starting companies”. All the pieces are in place but without the connections….there is no marketplace for ideas, no interactions, no industry growth.

Cisco’s approach to developing global leaders focuses on those who can make connections across the corporation which do not rely on hierarchy and traditional titles. Cisco is “tapping innovative collaboration tools and social networks to speed up productivity and decision-making”. Individuals who can activate and tap into information networks, who focus on collaboration and teamwork are the future leaders. Future leaders make connections and use them.

So what’s game changing? Not simply having a network, but being someone who connects to and with their network.

Here are some suggestions on how to start thinking like and connecting like a connector:

• Regularly connect. Build varied relationships.

• Listen and find out what other people are interested in. Keep others’ interests in mind while meeting people.

• Anticipate – seek new ways to connect individuals and groups.

• Provide critical information, expertise or connections to get closer to that critical information, expertise.

• Share your influence, even if you have only a little.

• Share a resource. Be a source of information about issues and opportunities. Point out an opportunity.

• Cultivate a willingness to continue making relationships, passing on information, and introducing people to one another

Learn to give. Remember to share. Teach yourself to be a connector.

Interested in the other traits of Game Changers? Here is the list of traits the symposium attendees came up with:

flexible/adaptable
risk takers
make mistakes
visionary-work at it
engage others
transparent
communicators
persistent
follow gut instincts
comfortable talking about the uncomfortable
stake a claim/commit
have courage/guts
trusting and encouraging
open minded
connectors
good listeners
influencers
proactive
prioritize
do what they say they will do
get scared
say yes
resilient
innovative

Anything you’d add to the list?