“Lunch? What’s that?”
This was the reply I received from a professional colleague a few years back. In my interest to expand my network and get to know more people, learn about them and have them learn about me, I invited this person to lunch and that’s the response I received. It took me back a few steps. Surprised that someone would not be willing to meet with me for an hour; after all we all have to eat, don’t we? And, I was paying, too.
This person and I are still in the same professional organization and we see each other regularly, we say hello, talk in general, but never has the offer been reciprocated, and I'm not sure that I would ever ask again. Shouldn't we all avail ourselves regularly of expanding our networks, never knowing how someone can help us move forward, either professionally or personally?
"The size of the future you actually experience will largely be determined by one factor: people you choose to connect with. When you invite people who are truly committed to growth into every aspect of your life, your own potential for growth becomes truly unlimited." - Dan Sullivan