“Christine. It was such a pleasure meeting today and I really appreciate the networking and talking. I will make sure to promote your business! You are such a comfortable person to be around, thank you for being you.”
This was the text I got from someone I met after our getting-to-know-more-about-you-and-your-work coffee meeting. We spent 75 minutes listening to one another’s stories, learning about how we each got to where we are, what we can do to help one another, and discovering things we share in common.
Like most people I know, I’m pretty busy and don’t have a lot of time for in person meetings like this, but his text reminded me that there’s no substitute. The collegiality you can develop is amazing when you’re sitting across the table “black eye to black eye” (as the person across the table from me said three times in five minutes).
I also committed to introducing him to some folks I know who can help and partner with him on business matters. Maybe we’ll golf together when the weather gets better. And as a coach, I was able to ask questions about his dream and vision for his future, and to encourage him to move forward with the steps he’s outlined for himself.
More than a cup of coffee or a 75 minute time commitment, it was part of a great day and a fabulous life!
Make time for new people in your life to make a difference in theirs.