WHY AUTHENTIC AND MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS ARE SO IMPORTANT IN NETWORKING

ARE REAL RELATIONSHIPS STRONGER THAN A LINKEDIN OR FACEBOOK CONNECTION?

By Callie Ward

In the year 2024, networking has evolved. We live in a society that is fast-paced, with small, short bites of time and snippets of connections. How do we make meaningful connections with other people in such times? It is essential to understand how to connect quickly to others and make these connections authentic and real. As entrepreneurs, how can we quickly establish meaningful connections with individuals who can help us achieve our networking goals? The key lies in developing deeper connections.

Research has shown that authenticity in online communication leads to greater user engagement, trust, and credibility. Authentic posts that reflect genuine emotions, experiences, and opinions tend to resonate more with audiences and facilitate deeper connections.

One study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that individuals who share authentic content on social media are perceived as more trustworthy and socially attractive by their peers. Another study conducted at the University of North Carolina demonstrated that authentic self-presentation on social media platforms leads to increased feelings of social support and belonging.

Furthermore, research has shown that authentic interactions, such as sincere comments, constructive feedback, and genuine conversations, foster stronger relationships, enhance user satisfaction, and facilitate meaningful connections among social media users.

It is important to note that the effects of authentic posts and interactions may vary based on individual preferences, cultural factors, and the specific context of social media platforms.

So how do we connect via social media and make that next level of relationship? Take my grandmother, Pearl, for example. She had an incredible ability to strike up conversations with anyone, and even in her old age, she had a vast network of friends from various clubs and groups.

From Grandma Pearl, I learned the value of making connections and being true to myself.

When I entered consulting, I realized that success often stems from relationships. But what does that truly mean? In dentistry, we excel at asking questions and engaging in conversation with our patients. However, the missing link is allowing others to feel like they truly know us. By establishing authentic and meaningful connections, people will trust us, feel safe asking questions, and be more likely to become a strong link in our networking pool. Furthermore, these connections can lead to positive word-of-mouth referrals.

To establish these connections, I use the acronym PEARL:

P stands for being present. When we give our undivided attention to people without distractions, they feel valued and not just another number. This becomes challenging in a trade show forum but can be deepened by followup conversations either in person or via messages on LinkedIn or Facebook. Present for me is to find something in common. Where do they live, where did they go to school? What do they like to do? What makes them tick? Do we share any common interests? I keep asking questions until we have some common ground. Then, we dive deeper into what that common ground is. Perhaps we both like to hike, and now I am able to remember that person’s name and the hike that we talked about. The reverse is also true; they know this about me, and now we have a deeper connection.

E stands for energy. The positive and genuine energy we bring to the conversation is contagious. People sense our sincerity and desire to get to know them. People remember how we made them feel! It is important to make eye contact, smile, and lean into what they are saying. In my mind, my heart reaches out to theirs, and we are sharing what fuels us: our energy.

A stands for authentic. It’s crucial to be genuinely interested in people’s lives. When we are real and genuine, they feel it. We have to walk the talk and show up as we are. When they trust us, they feel safe asking questions and are more likely to feel like we are friends. Friends refer friends, and friends show up.

R stands for respect. To get respect, we must give respect. Respect for their opinion and perspective. Respect for their thoughts and ideas, even if they might be contrary to ours. Respect for others as they are requires us to be safe and secure where we are.

L stands for listen. True listening involves being silent and fully engaged, not just waiting to respond. By asking open-ended questions and reflecting back on what we’ve heard, people feel heard and understood.

While my grandmother excelled in the first four steps, she struggled with truly listening. I recognize this challenge in myself as well. To overcome it, I strive to slow down, catch myself, and genuinely listen to people. By being present and listening, I am able to rephrase and repeat what is important to them. This makes them feel heard and safe.

Using PEARL, I am able to slow myself down and be very intentional and focused. I strive to find the links, and I also help myself at events and jot down some notes. Now, I can connect the name and face from Facebook or LinkedIn and remember the links and stories. I then strive to reach out to the person via instant messaging and connect again.

Authentic relationships tend to be more enduring and resilient. Unlike a connection on LinkedIn or Facebook that doesn’t have any of the relationship connections, these relationships allow us to interact on social media as friends. We have commonalities, we have knowledge of each other and now we get to know each other more through our posts and interactions. It isn’t some random person “liking” your post, it is a new friend who is continually getting to know you better. Real relationships are based on shared experiences, shared goals, and a deeper emotional bond. These connections are more likely to stand the test of time and challenges, allowing for continued support and collaboration.

Additionally, authentic relationships provide a richer context for networking. They allow for deeper conversations, sharing of ideas, and a more comprehensive understanding of each other’s skills, interests, and aspirations. This deeper understanding often leads to more meaningful and targeted assistance, recommendations, and opportunities.

While online connections can certainly be beneficial in expanding one’s network and accessing a larger pool of contacts, they often lack the personal touch and depth of genuine relationships. They may serve as a starting point for networking, but in order to truly leverage those connections, it is important to cultivate authentic relationships that go beyond the virtual realm.

My career in dentistry has taught me how to create relationships quickly. How to intentionally find common ground and goals. How to enhance and add to that connection by interactions on social media and in person at events. These friendships deepen as the interactions increase and the shared knowledge is discussed.

Attending the DeW retreat in October of 2023, I was able to finally meet some of my connections in person. I was able to hug and visit with the people who I have interacted with on social media for the last year. It felt like a homecoming to be able to see them in person. You can connect online and develop a relationship.

It takes intention and time to see the person behind the profile picture. It takes a conversation to delve into who they really are and how we fit together. If you haven’t attended a DeW event, I encourage you to do so! The impact of this network is incredible, the leadership and inclusivity of the group are impactful, and the fun to be had is enormous!

Building authentic and meaningful relationships is essential for dental entrepreneur women. By being present, bringing positive energy, being authentic, establishing real connections, and listening attentively, we can foster trust, loyalty, and referrals from our connections.

About the author

Many dentists today struggle with balancing a great patient experience with running a successful practice. Miscommunications between teams, doctors, and patients can break down the relationships leaders work so hard to build. The reality is, losing sight of the connection between leadership and communication often shows up as low-case acceptance, no-show appointments, and declining practice performance. If left unattended, frustration sets in, team turnover occurs, and patients may go elsewhere. With over 30+ years in dentistry, Callie understands how difficult it can be to harmonize patient care with the business side of the practice. As the founder of DASH Dental Consulting, Callie’s passion for relationship-driven results, combined with proven methods and guidance, propel practices to unlock deeper levels of fulfillment and success.

Callie is committed to providing the level of authenticity and care you deserve, so you can enjoy your day, thrive with your team, and deliver an unparalleled patient experience.

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