On the air

KVOI studios, Tucson

Yesterday I was a guest on a talk radio show. It's important to me that you know this was at the only for-profit independently owned radio station in my city.
"Locally Owned with Miguel Ortega," is a new show by a long time supporter of the Localist movement. Miguel highlights local businesses, community leaders, and local baristas. I would be considered a 'community leader.' It's funny to write that, but it's a pretty good way to describe myself and my work.
Over night my brain was percolating. Although I was 'on the air' for about 30 minutes, in truth we are always on the air. There is no dress rehearsal for life. This is live and you never know what's around the corner.
When I was about 14 years old my father and I were having dinner out and he introduced me to the bartender whom he knew. He used this as a teachable moment and talked about the importance of remembering peoples names and gave me some tricks to help. He told me how being friendly and paying attention to people makes a great impression. At the time I thought, "I'm not going to need these skills. I am shy, introverted and don't intend to be meeting many people."
Never, ever would I have thought that what my dad was teaching me and showing me with his example would contribute greatly to my professional success. Now I am meeting new people all the time, attending lots of events, doing TV interviews and public speaking! I found when I worked in a watch and jewelry repair shop I could pretty easily remember the names of customers and their jewelry. I learned that it helped things go more smoothly and folks really liked it when I saw them coming to pick something up and I sprung into action. They weren't strangers who had to explain why they were there. This left time for friendly chit chat.
Making more personal connections creates a stronger tie. We are social by design. Evolution depended on us helping each other out. When we remember each others names and maybe some detail, we create more meaning in our interactions. In business, its no longer just about collecting business cards and making a pitch to everyone you meet. The new way is to help each other. When I meet business owners I often ask them about their challenges and to describe their ideal client. I am in a position to be a referring partner. So, the more I know, the more I can make suggestions or referrals. This may lead to sales and that's great but it also leads to netweaving as opposed to networking. More on that in a future post.
After the show yesterday I thought of many things I wish I had said. I was on the radio for only 30 minutes but I am 'on the air' all the time. That experience changed the conversation I'll be having. Everything we experience changes our conversation. Notice what you talk about. Notice how you feel about it. Notice what changes the conversation. Maybe influence the conversation purposefully if you want to be thinking and saying something different.