1 00:00:02,640 --> 00:00:05,520 Janice Porter: Welcome to relationships rule the podcast, 2 00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:08,760 where we explore the power of relationships in business. 3 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:12,480 Today, we're diving into the evolving world of networking, 4 00:00:12,540 --> 00:00:16,320 relationship building and referrals with Linda Walters, a 5 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:19,920 master connector referral strategist and the founder and 6 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:25,100 CEO of lead tribes, Linda has built a thriving community 7 00:00:25,100 --> 00:00:28,520 centered on real relationships and authentic referrals, and 8 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:31,760 she's here to share her insights on how entrepreneurs can grow 9 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:36,380 their businesses through genuine connections. So let's dive in 10 00:00:36,380 --> 00:00:39,980 right away with Linda. Welcome to the show, Linda. Hi 11 00:00:39,980 --> 00:00:42,700 Linda Walters: Janice, thank you so much. I'm so excited and 12 00:00:42,700 --> 00:00:44,560 grateful to be here. Thank you for having me. 13 00:00:44,740 --> 00:00:47,500 Janice Porter: You're very welcome now, Linda and I go way 14 00:00:47,500 --> 00:00:52,180 back, and both I think, think the same way about referrals and 15 00:00:52,180 --> 00:00:55,180 networking and connecting, and it's such an important part of 16 00:00:55,180 --> 00:00:59,500 the work that we do. And Linda tell us how lead tribes started 17 00:00:59,500 --> 00:01:00,120 first of all, 18 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:04,380 Linda Walters: yeah. So I had had so many networking 19 00:01:04,380 --> 00:01:08,700 experiences and belonged to other groups, and just learned 20 00:01:08,700 --> 00:01:12,780 from those groups and decided that, you know, I want to be 21 00:01:12,780 --> 00:01:16,200 able to have a networking group, that I want to get up in the 22 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:19,860 morning and be like, I can't wait to go to that meeting. And 23 00:01:19,860 --> 00:01:23,660 so I realized that feeling was missing, not just for myself, 24 00:01:23,660 --> 00:01:26,780 but a lot of people. And I thought, why is it that we can't 25 00:01:26,780 --> 00:01:30,380 make money, you know, do business and have fun all at the 26 00:01:30,380 --> 00:01:34,520 same time? And, you know, get serious about business, but have 27 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:38,480 fun while we do it. So I created lead tribes back in 2019 and 28 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:42,520 here we are, five years later. It's fantastic community, and 29 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:45,760 we're having fun as we build all of our businesses together. 30 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:49,180 Janice Porter: And you're growing your your your tribe as 31 00:01:49,180 --> 00:01:53,380 well, right? You're not you started as a online, because, I 32 00:01:53,380 --> 00:01:55,780 think, right. Did you start online because of the COVID 33 00:01:55,780 --> 00:01:56,800 thing? It 34 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,320 Linda Walters: was really, it was really close, like we were 35 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:02,940 about six months in person, and then, wham, we had to go online. 36 00:02:02,940 --> 00:02:03,720 Yeah, yeah, 37 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:06,780 Janice Porter: you're back in person. And do you do some 38 00:02:06,780 --> 00:02:08,220 hybrid as well? Or no, 39 00:02:09,419 --> 00:02:11,759 Linda Walters: um, I don't have a hybrid group right this 40 00:02:11,759 --> 00:02:14,699 moment, but I foresee that will, you know, serve some 41 00:02:14,699 --> 00:02:17,879 entrepreneurs. So I absolutely see it in the future. But 42 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:20,340 Janice Porter: now you've grown to more than one chapter, right? 43 00:02:20,340 --> 00:02:23,240 So that's what you're doing, building your empire. Now. I 44 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:24,440 love it. Yeah, 45 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:26,660 Linda Walters: thank you. Thank you. It's growing. It's growing. 46 00:02:26,660 --> 00:02:29,000 So, yeah, I'm excited. So 47 00:02:29,060 --> 00:02:33,320 Janice Porter: what is special and unique about League tribes? 48 00:02:33,920 --> 00:02:39,260 Linda Walters: Oh, thank you for asking. Um, so our group of I 49 00:02:39,260 --> 00:02:43,360 call them unicorns all the time, because we truly already get it. 50 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:46,720 We get it. We don't need to be coached and managed and 51 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:50,740 micromanaged and all the things we are there to, like, help one 52 00:02:50,740 --> 00:02:54,580 another roll up our sleeves and say, What can I do for you? And 53 00:02:54,640 --> 00:02:57,880 you know that wherever it comes back may not be from the person 54 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:00,960 that you spent the hour with, but it'll come from somewhere in 55 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:04,620 our community, or some connection from our community. 56 00:03:04,620 --> 00:03:08,280 And so that's what's really great. I've shortened the 57 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:12,180 meeting to what I now call power hours, because I really want 58 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:15,600 people to get back to business, and get back to their business, 59 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:18,600 and not have roles and things like this when they do come to 60 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:23,420 the meeting. So it's this fun, open, networking space that has, 61 00:03:23,660 --> 00:03:27,320 you know, structure, obviously, accountability, obviously, these 62 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,620 are the things that lead to success. But inside every 63 00:03:30,620 --> 00:03:34,160 meeting, you get to connect, you get to network, you actually get 64 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:36,980 to have side conversations. You'll get a boost of 65 00:03:36,980 --> 00:03:40,960 inspiration, I can assure you that. And and then go back about 66 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:45,700 your day. And most people, if they weren't feeling up to it, 67 00:03:45,700 --> 00:03:48,340 or when they got there, they were having a bit of a down day, 68 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:51,580 you know, it changes the trajectory of their day. And I 69 00:03:51,580 --> 00:03:54,880 love having that impact for entrepreneurs, because we beat 70 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:59,920 ourselves up a lot, and or our customers beat us up and things 71 00:03:59,920 --> 00:04:02,160 like that, and so we're really hard on ourselves, just 72 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:05,280 naturally. And so this is a space where you can come let 73 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:09,300 your hair down. Have fun, have a breakfast, have a lunch, learn a 74 00:04:09,300 --> 00:04:12,780 referral tip, hear a presentation from someone, get 75 00:04:12,780 --> 00:04:15,540 to deep dive, know their business and how to refer them, 76 00:04:15,540 --> 00:04:18,540 which is super important, but then go back to your office and 77 00:04:18,540 --> 00:04:22,580 get on with your business. And I think that's super important. So 78 00:04:22,580 --> 00:04:26,300 Janice Porter: I'd love to get your opinion on on the art of 79 00:04:26,300 --> 00:04:31,460 referrals. And specifically, because I've been listening to 80 00:04:31,460 --> 00:04:35,960 somebody lately who actually was on my podcast a long time ago, 81 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:39,020 and she has her she has a podcast, and I was listening to 82 00:04:39,020 --> 00:04:45,760 her recently because her premise about referrals is that you 83 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:50,860 don't need to ask for them. You need to be in a in a you need to 84 00:04:52,660 --> 00:04:56,140 be worthy of them. You need to get your name out there. You 85 00:04:56,140 --> 00:05:02,340 need to have your yourself. Remembered enough and so that 86 00:05:02,340 --> 00:05:05,640 people will say, Oh, you want. So I know exactly who, who you 87 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:10,440 need, rather than you asking for referrals. What's your take on 88 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,440 that? Because I think it's a really interesting 89 00:05:14,700 --> 00:05:18,900 Linda Walters: thing. Yeah, great question. And you know, I 90 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:24,260 I understand the school of that thought I do. But here's what I 91 00:05:24,260 --> 00:05:28,700 know, okay, is that when you ask number one, you're sharpening a 92 00:05:28,700 --> 00:05:32,360 skill, right? You You have to actually sharpen the skill of 93 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,420 learning how to ask for business, and whether it's a 94 00:05:35,420 --> 00:05:39,620 referral group or your prospect, or you're presenting to a future 95 00:05:39,620 --> 00:05:43,060 investors of your of your business, you have to sharpen 96 00:05:43,060 --> 00:05:46,660 that skill. So, number one, we want people to keep asking and 97 00:05:46,660 --> 00:05:50,680 getting better and at crafting their 30 seconds or 60 seconds, 98 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:54,520 or a promo, you know, and those things in a safe environment 99 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:58,420 where you're going to get great feedback and honest feedback to 100 00:05:58,420 --> 00:06:02,040 help you again, sharpen your skills. The other thing is, is 101 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:08,460 that we are human, human nature based. So that means that, you 102 00:06:08,460 --> 00:06:11,940 know we're not thinking of you if you are not top of mind. And 103 00:06:11,940 --> 00:06:15,360 it's not because we don't like you, right? And it's not because 104 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:20,120 you know you're not the best at what you do. It is but if I, if 105 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:25,160 I don't hear exactly what you need, then I won't know, and I 106 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:28,400 won't go think of it. You know what? I mean, I get the thought 107 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:32,540 of earning the referrals, and just That's amazing, and that's 108 00:06:32,540 --> 00:06:37,160 great, and probably everybody's gonna get to that point, 109 00:06:38,060 --> 00:06:39,980 Janice Porter: you know, in a group, you would certainly hope 110 00:06:39,980 --> 00:06:44,320 so, when you're building that community right, that you would 111 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:47,620 hope that, that you would get to that point. Do you meet weekly? 112 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:51,460 Linda Walters: 100% all of our meetings are weekly. The 113 00:06:51,460 --> 00:06:54,400 difference is, you know, I have flexible options for membership, 114 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:57,460 so they don't have to come weekly. But you know, well, the 115 00:06:57,460 --> 00:07:00,960 thing is, is that top of mind is just that, if they don't see you 116 00:07:01,140 --> 00:07:05,460 and hear you. This is the difference. That is where, 117 00:07:05,460 --> 00:07:10,080 humanly, we just won't think of it. It's not personal. It's not 118 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:11,520 because they're not entirely 119 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:13,980 Janice Porter: true. I do agree with you there, however, there, 120 00:07:13,980 --> 00:07:17,640 as you know, as we both know, there are many different ways to 121 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:21,320 nurture relationships. Okay, so one is about nurturing 122 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:25,820 relationships. The other is about being visible, online, 123 00:07:25,820 --> 00:07:29,960 offline, pick up the phone, say hi, send a card here or there, 124 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:36,440 share through your content on the your platform of choice, 125 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:40,280 where your clients, your referral partners are, but keep 126 00:07:40,460 --> 00:07:43,840 all of that happening. I remember when I and I'm going to 127 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:47,320 ask you a different question in a minute, but I remember when I 128 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:50,380 first started networking, and this is back in the early 2000s 129 00:07:50,860 --> 00:07:54,220 when it first became a thing, and I was just getting into 130 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:56,680 working for myself, and I didn't really know what I was doing, 131 00:07:56,800 --> 00:08:00,900 but I do remember being an extrovert at that time, way more 132 00:08:00,900 --> 00:08:05,400 than I am now, I would say. But knowing that, I just got myself 133 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:08,100 out there and talked to everybody, and everybody knew 134 00:08:08,100 --> 00:08:14,280 who I was, and that started to bring the people to me. Okay? I 135 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:17,100 also did some presentations at the Chamber of Commerce and got 136 00:08:17,100 --> 00:08:21,140 my name out there as well. I wasn't on social media to any it 137 00:08:21,140 --> 00:08:26,600 had just started happening then, but, um, but that for me was, 138 00:08:27,380 --> 00:08:30,140 you know, back in the day, people used to say, oh, you 139 00:08:30,140 --> 00:08:33,260 should talk to Janice. She knows everybody, or you should talk to 140 00:08:33,260 --> 00:08:38,540 Janice because, and that's how I built my connector piece. And I 141 00:08:38,540 --> 00:08:41,380 really think that it can be the same with relation with 142 00:08:41,380 --> 00:08:46,360 referrals. However, I don't know. I mean, yes, I like the 143 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:50,140 way you said that you can you need to sharpen your skill, but 144 00:08:50,140 --> 00:08:54,340 there's a difference between sharpening your skill on asking 145 00:08:54,340 --> 00:08:58,300 for the sale than asking for the referral. I don't know they're 146 00:08:58,300 --> 00:09:00,900 different, but I hear what you're saying, and there is 147 00:09:00,900 --> 00:09:07,620 definitely some some merit to that. So I forgot what I was 148 00:09:07,620 --> 00:09:10,320 going to say. See, I knew I was going to say something, and then 149 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:12,900 I forgot story. You 150 00:09:12,900 --> 00:09:14,640 Linda Walters: know, the only thing I'll add is that, you 151 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:17,700 know, when markets change and industry changes and things 152 00:09:17,700 --> 00:09:22,880 change, your referral is not a status quo referral ask, right? 153 00:09:22,940 --> 00:09:26,240 It shouldn't be. I mean, you want to attract different 154 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:29,600 people, different, you know, price points, different things 155 00:09:29,900 --> 00:09:34,340 in your business, so you do have to keep asking for what it is 156 00:09:34,340 --> 00:09:39,200 you want. And so that changes quarterly, weekly, whatever. And 157 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:44,620 so that's where the asking all the time really, really is 158 00:09:44,620 --> 00:09:48,580 helpful. It's really helpful. And not not only that story 159 00:09:48,580 --> 00:09:51,700 Janice, there's three things that we do teach as well. Like, 160 00:09:51,700 --> 00:09:55,780 you know you when you come into to the tribe or networking in 161 00:09:55,780 --> 00:10:00,600 general, is that you know what's your low bottom hanging? Fruit, 162 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:04,080 what's your mid referral? And what is the whale referral? Tell 163 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:07,800 me your biggest referral. Because when you actually tell 164 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:10,740 someone what that is, and it's happened in our community, so 165 00:10:10,740 --> 00:10:13,860 many times, it's because they go on a coffee connection and 166 00:10:13,860 --> 00:10:17,460 realize what that whale referral is, and by gosh darn it, you 167 00:10:17,460 --> 00:10:20,240 know, it's like we're in a spider web here. Somebody knows 168 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:23,660 somebody who knows somebody that can get that whale referral, and 169 00:10:23,660 --> 00:10:27,320 it just makes your day. I mean, a whale referral is almost like 170 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:31,340 a once a year, like it's a big one, right? And so it happens 171 00:10:31,340 --> 00:10:34,700 more often, because we talk about those different levels of 172 00:10:34,700 --> 00:10:37,640 referrals. So that's where the opportunity to talk about it 173 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:40,100 every single week is interesting to people. That's the other 174 00:10:40,100 --> 00:10:42,820 thing you know, bring interest, bring conversation, bring 175 00:10:42,820 --> 00:10:45,580 connection on a different level. When they go, Oh, I never 176 00:10:45,580 --> 00:10:50,020 realized that you are looking for that and, you know, and then 177 00:10:50,020 --> 00:10:52,960 it just opens up a whole other thing and a whole other 178 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:56,440 conversation. So that's what I like about asking every single 179 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:59,320 week, you control the narrative. Yeah, 180 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:03,120 Janice Porter: that's good. And do you teach? So you're, you're 181 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:07,200 basically, when people join your networking community, you are 182 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:10,320 also teaching them how to network better on a regular 183 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:13,740 Linda Walters: You bet, you bet, because it's a skill you know, 184 00:11:13,740 --> 00:11:17,580 along with you learning, you know, the master of connections. 185 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:21,380 I mean, that is, that is also what I'm to getting known for is 186 00:11:21,380 --> 00:11:24,620 like, Oh, just Linda. Linda will know somebody, and that's great. 187 00:11:24,860 --> 00:11:28,640 But is that a referral, right? So it could lead to it, you 188 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:32,000 know? It's just knowing, but, but what I was going to say 189 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:37,040 about that was, now it's left me, see I got what? Yeah, it's 190 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:42,640 not just you Janice, you know. But the thing is, my gosh. Now I 191 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:46,060 have to pause and think I was on a total train of thought there. 192 00:11:47,020 --> 00:11:47,440 So 193 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:49,840 Janice Porter: it's not necessarily the right referral, 194 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:55,540 it's it might lead to it, you said, but yeah, and oh, 195 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:56,440 teaching, sorry, 196 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:59,140 Linda Walters: well, teaching. And the point being is that what 197 00:11:59,140 --> 00:12:03,180 I do love about people coming into lead tribes. As I said, 198 00:12:03,180 --> 00:12:06,420 they're kind of seasoned. They already understand the power of 199 00:12:06,420 --> 00:12:09,480 networking, and they're really here to, you know, roll up their 200 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:12,840 sleeves and dive in and help other people. But what we teach 201 00:12:12,900 --> 00:12:17,700 is how you give a referral is how you will get a referral. So 202 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:21,560 be very cognizant and very purposeful, intentional on 203 00:12:21,560 --> 00:12:24,560 making that connection. You know, it's usually a triangle 204 00:12:24,560 --> 00:12:25,700 follow up. And let's 205 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:27,860 Janice Porter: talk about that for a second. Because, yeah, 206 00:12:27,860 --> 00:12:31,460 yeah, some people think a referral means, oh, you need to 207 00:12:31,460 --> 00:12:36,740 talk to this person, exactly right? So let, let's talk about 208 00:12:36,740 --> 00:12:39,380 that. Because I think it's really important to understand 209 00:12:39,380 --> 00:12:41,200 how to give a proper referral? 210 00:12:42,220 --> 00:12:45,160 Linda Walters: Yeah. I mean, it definitely is all about the 211 00:12:45,160 --> 00:12:49,000 level of communication in which you are making that connection. 212 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,760 Number one, it has to be on the right platform, right? Is it a 213 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:56,020 LinkedIn connection, you know, through you now i I'm having 214 00:12:56,020 --> 00:12:58,960 more connections through LinkedIn. Thank you. But you 215 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:03,000 know, is it that, or is it, you know, a text introduction? Is it 216 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:06,660 an email introduction? So first of all, finding out where is the 217 00:13:06,660 --> 00:13:10,020 connection going to come from, like, on what platform? Then 218 00:13:10,020 --> 00:13:13,740 you've got the Okay, yes, the client is ready for that. So now 219 00:13:13,740 --> 00:13:16,680 you're going to do that connection on that platform, and 220 00:13:16,680 --> 00:13:20,600 then you're going to wait and see what happens between the two 221 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:23,720 people you've just connected, they're likely going to talk and 222 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:27,260 take you out of the conversation as very much happens and within 223 00:13:27,260 --> 00:13:30,560 the next meeting. So the next seven days, either you're going 224 00:13:30,560 --> 00:13:32,960 to see that person at the next meeting or you're going to send 225 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:37,340 a little follow up to say, so how did that go? And we do that 226 00:13:37,340 --> 00:13:41,920 because we care. I mean, you this is your reputation. You're 227 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:45,640 actually putting your reputation on the line to refer someone. So 228 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:48,940 you really should have stake in the game and how it went. It's 229 00:13:48,940 --> 00:13:52,660 not just a, here's a business card. Good luck. I mean, that's 230 00:13:52,660 --> 00:13:55,480 that's not how you give a referral. Same thing kind of 231 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:58,300 Janice. When someone says, Well, go to Janice. She'll connect 232 00:13:58,300 --> 00:14:00,900 you. That's great. You could just say, Oh, here's, you know, 233 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:04,380 Joe. Here's his phone number. But really, that's not what 234 00:14:04,380 --> 00:14:07,800 you're doing. You want to make the connection to say, actually, 235 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:11,580 here's Joe. This is what Joe does. This is what reminded me 236 00:14:11,580 --> 00:14:15,840 to connect you for that same solution you're looking for, or, 237 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:18,600 or, you know, bring the commonality together, right? 238 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:21,440 This is why it's important. This is what's going to benefit you 239 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:25,460 from meeting, you know, Joe, Sarah, Susan, whoever it is, and 240 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:28,700 and the follow up again, it's a triangle. It's from me to you, 241 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:31,880 you to the person, and then me again, following up with you. 242 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:35,720 That closes the triangle. And when the triangle doesn't 243 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:40,540 happen, most likely the referral is not happening either. If 244 00:14:40,540 --> 00:14:43,900 you're a seasoned professional, you'll take the time to care 245 00:14:43,900 --> 00:14:47,380 what happened. It's your neck on the line to begin with. It's 246 00:14:47,380 --> 00:14:51,220 your first impression. And if it is a first time referral 247 00:14:51,220 --> 00:14:55,000 opportunity, then you do want to know, how is it being handled? 248 00:14:55,300 --> 00:14:58,120 Are you going to be giving another referral based on how it 249 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:01,800 was handled, even if they. Get the business right if they 250 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:03,480 didn't get the business right. 251 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:05,640 Janice Porter: So a couple of things out of that. First of 252 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:09,660 all, the the connection, as you called it. It's very important 253 00:15:10,020 --> 00:15:15,000 that it is a real connection that is made by you. The the 254 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:19,920 resource to to match those two people together, so you have to 255 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:23,000 introduce them. It's It's just common courtesy that that gets 256 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:27,680 missed. But I will like to back up a second, because, let's say 257 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:32,000 I just met you at lead tribes event, and you're telling me 258 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:36,560 what you are interested in finding for your prospects and 259 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:39,680 what business you're looking for. And I think I know someone 260 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:43,780 who might you know, be the right person. First of all, I want to 261 00:15:43,780 --> 00:15:47,620 make sure that I like you and that I think that you're worthy 262 00:15:47,620 --> 00:15:54,280 of of me giving you someone from my my my database. Okay, so what 263 00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:57,040 I might do in that case, tell me what you think about this. What 264 00:15:57,040 --> 00:16:01,200 I might do is say, you know, I might have someone that could be 265 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:04,860 a good fit for you. Let me check with him or her and see if 266 00:16:04,860 --> 00:16:07,920 they're open to the connection first, because they're the 267 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:11,760 person in my database. You're the new person I just met, so I 268 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:15,240 have to protect that person first. And if they say, Oh, 269 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:17,460 sure, I'd be open to me, you know, I'll say, I met this 270 00:16:17,460 --> 00:16:20,960 person at an event. Here's their LinkedIn profile. What do you 271 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:23,120 think? Do you think? Are you open to a conversation? 272 00:16:25,700 --> 00:16:28,160 Linda Walters: That's what makes you professional, is that you 273 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:32,780 you already went above and beyond to take the step to vet. 274 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:36,140 You know, the possibility, right? And I 275 00:16:36,140 --> 00:16:38,840 Janice Porter: don't want to waste my person's time unless 276 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:40,780 they right. Yeah, you don't 277 00:16:40,780 --> 00:16:42,880 Linda Walters: want to make this connection if it's dead in the 278 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:45,700 water and they're not even interested. You know, one of the 279 00:16:45,700 --> 00:16:50,440 other networking groups, so many things I hear about, you know, 280 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:52,900 the way they do referrals is like, Well, I was given a name 281 00:16:52,900 --> 00:16:57,160 and a number, and I called, and the person says, Oh, really, why 282 00:16:57,160 --> 00:16:59,920 are you calling? You know? And it's like, embarrassing, gosh, 283 00:16:59,920 --> 00:17:03,900 so that's not a referral, that was not a referral, and so that 284 00:17:03,900 --> 00:17:07,680 doesn't happen here. We just don't even believe in that. I do 285 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:10,920 preface that, you know, if you have to wait three months to get 286 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:14,700 a referral, that you could just go and close because someone has 287 00:17:14,700 --> 00:17:18,360 prepped it for you with the bridge of trust. You know, isn't 288 00:17:18,360 --> 00:17:21,980 that worth waiting for, versus getting the one who says, What? 289 00:17:21,980 --> 00:17:25,100 Who is this? Again, why are you calling people? I don't, I don't 290 00:17:25,100 --> 00:17:28,040 even know why they put us in contact, you know, Oh, for God's 291 00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:33,200 sakes, let's not waste people's time. It's too valuable. Again, 292 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:36,620 we've honed in at lead tribes, those professional season people 293 00:17:36,620 --> 00:17:40,360 that I feel, you know, you can, you can get away from that type 294 00:17:40,360 --> 00:17:43,480 of stuff happening. It just doesn't happen. Yeah, 295 00:17:43,540 --> 00:17:46,960 Janice Porter: yeah. And I think another way I might handle it 296 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:50,440 too, like I had a call this morning with a girl that was 297 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:55,540 introduced to me, because this person said to me, I don't know 298 00:17:55,540 --> 00:17:59,020 he prefaced it by saying, I'm not sure if you guys, you know 299 00:17:59,020 --> 00:18:01,860 if it's a good person for your podcast or not, but I think you 300 00:18:01,860 --> 00:18:05,880 should two should meet. So we did, and I knew before that that 301 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:11,280 really her zone of genius was not a fit for my podcast. 302 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:16,080 However, in the conversation, I really liked her, and I liked 303 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:19,500 the work that she was doing, and I thought of somebody of an 304 00:18:19,500 --> 00:18:23,240 organization that might be a good fit for her. And I said to 305 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:28,820 her, you might want to look at this organization. They do a lot 306 00:18:28,820 --> 00:18:32,900 of presentations, and you know, might be your people might be 307 00:18:32,900 --> 00:18:37,160 there. And I said to her, if you'd like an introduction to 308 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:41,380 the head of it, I'm happy to introduce you. So I wanted to 309 00:18:41,380 --> 00:18:44,500 leave it to her, in this case, to say whether she thought maybe 310 00:18:44,500 --> 00:18:49,480 she would like to pursue it. But I also wanted to make sure that 311 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:54,400 I was in that mix, because I wanted that person in the 312 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:58,060 organization to know that I had introduced her to it, you know, 313 00:18:58,060 --> 00:19:02,700 because it works both ways sometimes for you. So, yeah, I 314 00:19:02,700 --> 00:19:04,860 Linda Walters: love that you're a great connector that way. And 315 00:19:04,860 --> 00:19:07,920 I and I think what's so nice about that when you're, you 316 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:10,620 know, looking at it from a professional standpoint, I mean, 317 00:19:10,860 --> 00:19:14,820 you're just making an impact by bringing two people together. 318 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:19,740 And that may not seem like much on the onset, you know, but 319 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:24,140 Janice, it reminds me of a mommy Mimosa Monday that I had in my 320 00:19:24,140 --> 00:19:28,460 kitchen with over 20 women, and I just literally threw it on 321 00:19:28,460 --> 00:19:31,820 Facebook. I had all these women wanting to come over, and two 322 00:19:31,820 --> 00:19:35,240 women that met in my kitchen started a business together. I 323 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:38,420 Janice Porter: love it. I can ask you for a story. And I 324 00:19:39,799 --> 00:19:44,019 Linda Walters: just thought to myself, that is so cool, like I 325 00:19:44,019 --> 00:19:49,059 created the space I welcomed people in, and magic can happen 326 00:19:49,059 --> 00:19:52,659 when you bring good people together just by the power of 327 00:19:52,659 --> 00:19:56,919 connection. As you and I already know we love the power of human 328 00:19:56,919 --> 00:20:02,639 connection. And that great book, great. Read and so, you know, it 329 00:20:02,639 --> 00:20:05,219 happens all over the place. You know, it could be in a bank 330 00:20:05,219 --> 00:20:08,219 lineup, it could be in a kitchen, it could be at the 331 00:20:08,219 --> 00:20:12,539 grocery store, and you just don't know, but you know, we 332 00:20:12,539 --> 00:20:16,079 never want to go, what's in it? For me, we want to sit back and 333 00:20:16,079 --> 00:20:20,839 say, Wow, there was success, because I made an impact, 334 00:20:21,019 --> 00:20:25,999 because I took the moment of time to text a person like, Hey, 335 00:20:25,999 --> 00:20:28,759 do you think this would be a good connection for you? And we 336 00:20:28,759 --> 00:20:32,839 just sit back and say, That is awesome. This is life is good. 337 00:20:33,019 --> 00:20:36,199 This is what we were here to do, is to keep bringing people 338 00:20:36,199 --> 00:20:39,919 together, you know, for all sorts of reasons. And so if good 339 00:20:39,919 --> 00:20:45,039 comes of it wonderful, right? Remembered, forever remembered 340 00:20:45,039 --> 00:20:46,779 for that. I mean, that's amazing, 341 00:20:47,259 --> 00:20:54,399 Janice Porter: exactly so because you work with seasoned 342 00:20:54,519 --> 00:20:58,659 professionals, as you call them, do you have you vet people into 343 00:20:58,659 --> 00:21:02,099 your organization, right? And so you only have one person per 344 00:21:02,099 --> 00:21:03,599 industry, is that correct? 345 00:21:03,599 --> 00:21:05,219 Linda Walters: That's right. Okay, yeah. So, 346 00:21:07,019 --> 00:21:10,079 Janice Porter: because I always found my experience with a 347 00:21:10,079 --> 00:21:14,039 similar organization that met weekly and did all these things, 348 00:21:14,039 --> 00:21:18,239 that sometimes the people in the group, I couldn't, I couldn't 349 00:21:18,239 --> 00:21:21,199 refer them if my life depended on it, because they just didn't 350 00:21:21,259 --> 00:21:26,299 feel it from them or with them or whatever. So does that ever 351 00:21:26,299 --> 00:21:29,239 happen in your group? And if not, why not? 352 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:33,080 Linda Walters: So that's a great, great question, and it's 353 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:37,520 been out there, that experience has happened many, many times. 354 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:41,800 And so what we do and it has not happened. Janice to answer the 355 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:45,640 question, no, that has not happened. But what we do is we 356 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:50,200 run by values, and in those values is the word abundance, 357 00:21:50,500 --> 00:21:54,460 and that word abundance means that if you go to any of our 358 00:21:54,460 --> 00:21:58,900 tribes, you will get the same warm, welcoming feeling, but if 359 00:21:58,900 --> 00:22:01,680 there was somebody in your own tribe, that you are just not 360 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:05,520 comfortable for whatever reason that may be, but the same 361 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:08,580 person, let's call it for home and auto insurance, is in 362 00:22:08,580 --> 00:22:12,300 another tribe you met at an event. You kicked it off with 363 00:22:12,300 --> 00:22:14,940 them. They're not part of your own personal tribe. But that's 364 00:22:14,940 --> 00:22:20,120 okay. That is a fair game, because you're still fully in 365 00:22:20,120 --> 00:22:24,920 our community, and we want to work with the right fit. So many 366 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:28,940 people are forcing these like, Oh, you must use this person. 367 00:22:28,940 --> 00:22:33,380 No, no, you want to attract people that want to work with 368 00:22:33,380 --> 00:22:38,360 you. Number one, number two, that just makes life better, and 369 00:22:38,420 --> 00:22:42,220 you will get the deal done. And so you'll be of service if you 370 00:22:42,220 --> 00:22:46,360 choose the right person to begin with. And so in our community, 371 00:22:46,360 --> 00:22:49,060 that type of thing doesn't happen. We always have the right 372 00:22:49,060 --> 00:22:52,420 fit. And that's what's really cool. Yeah, that is cool. 373 00:22:53,559 --> 00:22:57,999 Janice Porter: So how do you feel about I know you've I think 374 00:22:57,999 --> 00:23:01,019 I know the answer to this, but what's your take on online 375 00:23:01,019 --> 00:23:04,859 versus in person networking. You know, should professionals focus 376 00:23:04,859 --> 00:23:07,859 on one over the other? Because I gotta admit, I've become a bit 377 00:23:07,859 --> 00:23:12,959 of a recluse. I don't go out as much as I used to. So I yeah, 378 00:23:13,019 --> 00:23:15,839 sometimes I feel I need to, and other times I can't be bothered. 379 00:23:15,839 --> 00:23:18,779 So I What's your take on it? I think I know the answer, but I 380 00:23:18,779 --> 00:23:19,439 want to hear it. 381 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:23,540 Linda Walters: Yeah, you know, listen, I, too, am going out 382 00:23:23,540 --> 00:23:27,500 more in person since COVID. And then there's the other ones that 383 00:23:27,500 --> 00:23:31,340 just are happy at home. They they want to, you know, spare 384 00:23:31,340 --> 00:23:34,820 the time, spare the gas, spare the track pants, and all the 385 00:23:34,820 --> 00:23:37,580 things that you know, there are benefits. You know, there are 386 00:23:37,580 --> 00:23:42,460 benefits. You know, to be honest, the answer is, the more 387 00:23:42,460 --> 00:23:46,780 in person you can get, the more traction you will get. You know, 388 00:23:46,780 --> 00:23:51,520 there's brilliant relationships that form online, far and wide, 389 00:23:51,520 --> 00:23:55,660 over our globe, which is awesome, and I want to promote 390 00:23:55,660 --> 00:23:58,240 that. I want to keep building on that, because I know it's 391 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:03,960 possible. So it is a personal preference, right? So again, if 392 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:08,580 I'm happy in that space, that's cool, right? If I'm happiest in 393 00:24:08,580 --> 00:24:13,980 my best self on online, cool. If it's in person, then cool. Then 394 00:24:13,980 --> 00:24:17,280 you should stick to in person. If it's a hybrid, then great, 395 00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:19,740 right? I mean, then you get the best of both worlds, because 396 00:24:19,740 --> 00:24:23,000 there really are so many great people. You know, if we just had 397 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:24,920 the time to meet them all would be lovely. 398 00:24:25,880 --> 00:24:30,500 Janice Porter: Okay, so I had a gentleman on my podcast a while 399 00:24:30,500 --> 00:24:33,380 ago, a young man. He's he's actually really cool, and he 400 00:24:33,380 --> 00:24:38,900 wrote this book about what's it called the introverts edge, and 401 00:24:38,900 --> 00:24:43,360 it's about networking as an introvert, and so I'm sure, like 402 00:24:43,360 --> 00:24:48,160 we just talked about how important it is to build those 403 00:24:48,160 --> 00:24:51,040 relationships with people and connections with people. But you 404 00:24:51,040 --> 00:24:54,700 and I are curious. You know, we ask questions. We know how to 405 00:24:54,700 --> 00:24:57,160 bring somebody out of their shell. What about those 406 00:24:57,160 --> 00:25:02,040 introverts? Do they even show up at you? Lead tribes. And what do 407 00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:05,640 you recommend for those who are more introverted and a little 408 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:11,160 uncomfortable, how do they find success in a networking setup? 409 00:25:11,580 --> 00:25:15,600 Linda Walters: Yes, such a great question, because there are so 410 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:20,600 many loud introverts that are just not finding their voice. 411 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:27,560 And I have seen them come they either will like dabble in 412 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:30,500 getting to know people and committing to getting to know 413 00:25:30,500 --> 00:25:34,400 people. I've had a very successful introvert stay with 414 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:39,560 me for five years and just come out of her shell in terms of, 415 00:25:39,740 --> 00:25:43,960 you know, she did her presentation in poetry, and just 416 00:25:43,960 --> 00:25:47,620 like, wow. I mean, compared to who we met at the very 417 00:25:47,620 --> 00:25:51,820 beginning, it was a wonderful experience. And yet, and yet, I 418 00:25:51,820 --> 00:25:54,700 just met someone that I know, like and trust. I think you know 419 00:25:54,700 --> 00:26:01,020 her as well, and she has a networking group for introverts 420 00:26:01,140 --> 00:26:03,840 only, okay? So I'm like, okay, 421 00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:07,080 Janice Porter: that girl might have been shy, but not an 422 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:10,140 introvert. So they're the introverts. Get their energy 423 00:26:10,320 --> 00:26:14,700 from, you know? They they can't handle the being the center of 424 00:26:14,700 --> 00:26:17,880 attention necessarily, right? But they get their energy more 425 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:21,440 by being alone after they can handle some networking, but it's 426 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:25,880 whether they, yeah, I don't know. It's just, I find it, I 427 00:26:25,880 --> 00:26:30,020 find it interesting to work with those kinds of people, 428 00:26:30,079 --> 00:26:32,959 Linda Walters: absolutely. And when you say that, to work with 429 00:26:32,959 --> 00:26:36,619 them, it really is the way the friend I mentioned, like the way 430 00:26:36,619 --> 00:26:41,079 she has formed a networking group for introverts, is a, it's 431 00:26:41,079 --> 00:26:44,559 a beautiful thing, you know, it's not something I could say 432 00:26:44,559 --> 00:26:49,659 that's what I do, because I'm not an introvert, no, you know, 433 00:26:49,659 --> 00:26:53,259 but, but I love that that's out there. I love that there's 434 00:26:53,259 --> 00:26:57,519 networking for them as well as, you know, she teaches like 435 00:26:57,519 --> 00:27:00,539 these, you know, conferences and things like that, to get people 436 00:27:00,539 --> 00:27:03,539 out of their shell. So it is a whole other. It is a whole other 437 00:27:03,539 --> 00:27:05,279 ball game, for sure. That's 438 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:11,280 Janice Porter: cool. Um, so if listeners want to strengthen 439 00:27:11,340 --> 00:27:14,820 their networking game today, what would you say I'm giving 440 00:27:14,820 --> 00:27:17,640 putting you on the spot here, what are three actionable steps 441 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:23,120 that they can take immediately to networking game today. 442 00:27:23,419 --> 00:27:27,379 Linda Walters: Strengthen their networking game today, I am, and 443 00:27:27,379 --> 00:27:29,899 I know that you didn't prep me for this question, but I am 444 00:27:29,899 --> 00:27:34,639 going to say, you know, changing my profile on LinkedIn. Thank 445 00:27:34,639 --> 00:27:39,139 you. Janice has has actually just brought a wonderful 446 00:27:39,139 --> 00:27:44,139 audience to me to engage. And I mean, I'm seeing the difference, 447 00:27:44,259 --> 00:27:47,619 so I hadn't paid attention to it. And my own fault, we get 448 00:27:47,619 --> 00:27:51,819 busy in our business, as we all do. But that was really, really 449 00:27:51,819 --> 00:27:55,779 key for the there's a shift. There's a shift of happening, 450 00:27:56,019 --> 00:27:59,199 and it started with my LinkedIn profile that you and I worked 451 00:27:59,199 --> 00:28:02,639 on. So that's the number one thing is, you know, who? Who are 452 00:28:02,639 --> 00:28:06,659 you to the world of professionals, you know? And are 453 00:28:06,659 --> 00:28:09,299 you even on LinkedIn? It does shock me that today, I ask 454 00:28:09,299 --> 00:28:12,779 people if they're on LinkedIn, and they still say no. And I'm 455 00:28:12,779 --> 00:28:16,319 like, okay, that's the first thing you need to do, you know. 456 00:28:16,379 --> 00:28:20,659 But the second thing is, go look at your calendar and book some 457 00:28:20,659 --> 00:28:24,319 networking events. Go, go out there and start networking. 458 00:28:24,319 --> 00:28:26,959 Because that's the thing, is that if you don't get started, 459 00:28:27,259 --> 00:28:31,039 you you can never get going. So just, you know, go out there. 460 00:28:31,099 --> 00:28:33,499 That's how you're going to build those connections. So the first 461 00:28:33,499 --> 00:28:36,079 thing is to start look at your calendar, whether you're on 462 00:28:36,079 --> 00:28:39,619 Eventbrite or wherever you are locally, whether it's a chamber, 463 00:28:39,679 --> 00:28:42,579 you know, that's what I love. Like, there's enough networking 464 00:28:42,579 --> 00:28:48,159 groups for everybody and so and then please. The third biggest 465 00:28:48,159 --> 00:28:53,919 thing is be prepared with your pitch. Be prepared to come off 466 00:28:53,919 --> 00:28:57,939 like a shiny Penny, that you're a solid person, that you're 467 00:28:57,939 --> 00:29:03,239 professional, that you're well spoken, and take time at home, 468 00:29:03,359 --> 00:29:06,119 whether you're talking to the cats and the dogs or your kids 469 00:29:06,119 --> 00:29:10,079 on the couch or whatever it is, and take time to practice who 470 00:29:10,079 --> 00:29:13,979 you are. So when someone says in a room, like, tell me what you 471 00:29:13,979 --> 00:29:17,579 do. It's not this 20 minute story, which it shouldn't be, 472 00:29:17,699 --> 00:29:21,799 but like, let's get it down to 60 seconds. Real sharp, right? 473 00:29:21,919 --> 00:29:25,339 Give them the three interesting things about you, and in 60 474 00:29:25,339 --> 00:29:30,199 seconds time. So those things are worth, you know, again, 475 00:29:30,199 --> 00:29:34,279 taking some time your LinkedIn profile, looking up the 476 00:29:34,279 --> 00:29:38,419 networking events around you, and get out there. And then the 477 00:29:38,419 --> 00:29:42,519 last thing is sharpen, sharpen that skill of saying who you 478 00:29:42,519 --> 00:29:42,819 are, 479 00:29:43,419 --> 00:29:45,219 Janice Porter: fair enough. Thank you. That was great. 480 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:53,380 All right, I'm just going to sidetrack a little bit from the 481 00:29:53,380 --> 00:29:57,340 networking thing and the referrals, because all of that 482 00:29:57,340 --> 00:30:00,840 is the way we build our business. Mostly. Today, today 483 00:30:00,960 --> 00:30:06,060 is through relationships in the people I work with. That's what 484 00:30:06,060 --> 00:30:13,320 I teach them, and referrals and connections. So when you're not 485 00:30:13,320 --> 00:30:16,620 doing this, Linda, because you're always busy, and I think 486 00:30:16,620 --> 00:30:19,320 I would like to give you a little plug here for this new 487 00:30:19,320 --> 00:30:23,420 venture that you have that's a sideline from your lead tribes, 488 00:30:23,420 --> 00:30:27,080 and that's tribes is your magazine? Like, that's a huge 489 00:30:27,080 --> 00:30:29,660 thing. Tell me a little bit about that, because I'm hoping I 490 00:30:29,660 --> 00:30:30,920 can get in there someday. 491 00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:35,660 Linda Walters: Okay. Uh, lovely. Yeah. So I really think, as a 492 00:30:35,660 --> 00:30:39,500 small business owner, I wanted to do something next level for 493 00:30:39,740 --> 00:30:43,420 all the entrepreneurs in our community. And I, I literally 494 00:30:43,420 --> 00:30:48,040 just decided a year ago, because I've done five issues now that 495 00:30:48,160 --> 00:30:50,680 you know, I'm going to put it into print. I'm going to get a 496 00:30:50,680 --> 00:30:54,040 magazine. I'm going to call it leaders magazine. I'm going to 497 00:30:54,040 --> 00:30:56,980 get it into print. I'm going to get some sponsors, have some fun 498 00:30:56,980 --> 00:31:00,480 articles, to showcase our entrepreneurs, our experts, are 499 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:04,800 resources and and shine them up again, another level of 500 00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:08,880 exposure. And just you know, they're so happy to see it in 501 00:31:08,880 --> 00:31:12,360 print. I love the digital copy goes out to about 10,000 502 00:31:13,500 --> 00:31:17,340 readership right now, and it's gaining traction, and it's just 503 00:31:17,340 --> 00:31:22,700 a fun way for me to give back to our community to boost, boost 504 00:31:22,700 --> 00:31:26,480 their visibility, like you said, they have to have visibility, 505 00:31:26,540 --> 00:31:33,560 right? So, yeah, I never thought I'd be a magazine editor and all 506 00:31:33,560 --> 00:31:35,780 the things. But hey, you know, this is what happens 507 00:31:35,780 --> 00:31:38,480 entrepreneurs. They just build it, if it's not fair, 508 00:31:38,780 --> 00:31:40,480 Janice Porter: yeah, when I first met you, you were a 509 00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:43,660 mortgage broker. I mean, like, had so many careers, it's 510 00:31:43,660 --> 00:31:46,540 amazing, and you've done well at them all, because you are a true 511 00:31:46,540 --> 00:31:49,480 entrepreneur. I really think that you you think like an 512 00:31:49,480 --> 00:31:52,960 entrepreneur, and most people don't, alright. My track was 513 00:31:52,960 --> 00:31:55,720 meant to be. So what do you do when you're not working? Linda, 514 00:31:57,039 --> 00:31:59,379 Linda Walters: oh boy. Well, you know what I love? I love my 515 00:31:59,379 --> 00:32:03,359 dogs. I love walking my dogs and spending time with them. 516 00:32:03,719 --> 00:32:06,779 Obviously, as a family, we always do our family things 517 00:32:06,779 --> 00:32:10,439 together. So when I'm not working, it's family 100% that's 518 00:32:10,439 --> 00:32:13,499 why we do what we do, right? So, yeah, 519 00:32:13,800 --> 00:32:21,560 Janice Porter: yeah, awesome. And do you read like traditional 520 00:32:21,560 --> 00:32:25,880 books. Or do you read online on Audible, or listen on Audible, I 521 00:32:25,880 --> 00:32:28,640 mean, or do you read listen to podcasts? What do you do for 522 00:32:28,760 --> 00:32:30,620 that kind of growth? Yeah, um, 523 00:32:31,280 --> 00:32:34,880 Linda Walters: excellent. So one of the questions I just had in 524 00:32:34,880 --> 00:32:38,300 another interview was, what was the one thing that you would say 525 00:32:38,300 --> 00:32:41,080 as a business attribute that everybody should know, and that 526 00:32:41,080 --> 00:32:44,860 is always, put your investment into personal development, 527 00:32:44,860 --> 00:32:47,740 always, always, always, every single year, carve out some 528 00:32:47,740 --> 00:32:50,620 money to get some personal development. And with that is 529 00:32:50,620 --> 00:32:54,700 reading, reading podcasts and all the things. So my book that 530 00:32:54,700 --> 00:32:57,460 I wanted so badly, the kids wanted to get it for me so 531 00:32:57,460 --> 00:33:01,260 badly, but it was sold out. Everywhere was Mel Robbins knew 532 00:33:01,440 --> 00:33:08,040 let them so I can't put it down. I love it. It is so good. I'm 533 00:33:08,040 --> 00:33:11,640 just over half half finished the hardcover. I do like a good 534 00:33:11,640 --> 00:33:14,640 hardcover once in a while, but I'm constantly got the 535 00:33:14,640 --> 00:33:18,180 university in my ear as I'm driving and as I'm doing things. 536 00:33:18,180 --> 00:33:21,860 You know, I've listened to a few of your podcasts as well, and, 537 00:33:21,980 --> 00:33:25,040 and so, yeah, I mean, that's, that's what learning is all 538 00:33:25,040 --> 00:33:29,120 about. This is just a journey. You gotta keep going, which I 539 00:33:29,120 --> 00:33:31,760 Janice Porter: know I've listened to Mel Robbins now on 540 00:33:31,760 --> 00:33:34,520 about four different podcasts talking about her book, and I 541 00:33:34,520 --> 00:33:37,400 haven't ordered it yet. And I keep saying I'm going to, and 542 00:33:37,400 --> 00:33:40,720 you have to, and it's so that it's that it's sold out of her, 543 00:33:40,720 --> 00:33:45,160 but I will, because it sounds really interesting. I did see, 544 00:33:45,160 --> 00:33:48,460 though, a little bit of someone slamming her that it wasn't her 545 00:33:48,460 --> 00:33:53,260 theory in the first place, and that she didn't, she didn't 546 00:33:54,220 --> 00:33:59,440 acknowledge this woman, and it was actually a Canadian business 547 00:33:59,440 --> 00:34:02,940 coach that I saw talk about this, I'll say I tell you 548 00:34:02,940 --> 00:34:05,640 offline, but it was just interesting. So it kind of put 549 00:34:05,640 --> 00:34:09,000 me off for a minute, so I'm not really sure, but anyway, it it's 550 00:34:09,000 --> 00:34:11,940 only one side, and I don't know that you know whether it's true 551 00:34:11,940 --> 00:34:14,520 or not, but I did find it fascinating that the theory has 552 00:34:14,520 --> 00:34:19,020 been around for a long time. But yes, I think that's the next one 553 00:34:19,020 --> 00:34:25,280 for me. So thank you. Thank you for this. I appreciate time. I 554 00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:34,040 appreciate your thoughts on networking, on the power of 555 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:36,800 building authentic relationships, and about 556 00:34:36,800 --> 00:34:40,360 building referrals. And it's all it does. It takes practice. It's 557 00:34:40,360 --> 00:34:45,340 it's, it's a, it's a muscle that you have to keep honed, and you 558 00:34:45,340 --> 00:34:48,520 have to keep practicing so we can always get better, right? No 559 00:34:48,520 --> 00:34:51,040 matter how good we are at networking. Things change, and 560 00:34:51,040 --> 00:34:54,280 so we have to go with the flow, and we have to learn the new 561 00:34:54,280 --> 00:34:56,560 ways of doing things. So 562 00:34:57,760 --> 00:34:59,380 Linda Walters: things for certain, I'll just leave you 563 00:34:59,380 --> 00:35:02,700 with this is. That if you're a business owner, yeah, if you're 564 00:35:02,700 --> 00:35:06,960 a business owner, one thing I can guarantee you is that you 565 00:35:07,320 --> 00:35:10,980 will never stop networking. As long as you're a business owner, 566 00:35:11,160 --> 00:35:14,820 you will continue to meet people, collect friends, 567 00:35:14,820 --> 00:35:19,080 collaborations, referral partners. It's part of the great 568 00:35:19,080 --> 00:35:22,580 part of being a business owner is that you get to keep 569 00:35:22,700 --> 00:35:28,820 connecting, right? And, yeah, so networking is always part of the 570 00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:32,000 part of the strategy, for sure, absolutely 571 00:35:32,000 --> 00:35:34,820 Janice Porter: well, thank you for that. Thank you. Thank you. 572 00:35:34,820 --> 00:35:39,620 Thank you. So thank you, Linda. It's been an insightful 573 00:35:39,620 --> 00:35:43,660 conversation for real relationships and community 574 00:35:43,660 --> 00:35:47,140 driven networking is, I know it's top notch, and it is 575 00:35:47,140 --> 00:35:50,920 inspiring. So if listeners want to connect with you or learn 576 00:35:50,920 --> 00:35:53,560 more about lead tribes, where's the best place for them to reach 577 00:35:53,560 --> 00:35:56,200 you, and I will put it in the show notes. Oh, 578 00:35:56,200 --> 00:35:59,020 Linda Walters: awesome. Yeah, absolutely. Lead tribes.com and 579 00:35:59,020 --> 00:36:02,820 then, of course, right on there is my direct cell phone. Anybody 580 00:36:02,820 --> 00:36:07,020 could text me and call me. I'm always looking for leaders, you 581 00:36:07,020 --> 00:36:10,740 know, the ones to step up and want a tribe and the support of 582 00:36:10,740 --> 00:36:14,100 a tribe so that there's no more solopreneurship. I think being 583 00:36:14,100 --> 00:36:16,560 solo is just, you know, 584 00:36:17,640 --> 00:36:22,580 Janice Porter: okay, perfect. And, yeah, so thanks again, and 585 00:36:22,580 --> 00:36:25,580 thanks to our listeners and remember relationships rule in 586 00:36:25,580 --> 00:36:29,660 business. So go out there and build authentic connections and 587 00:36:29,660 --> 00:36:33,320 watch your network work for you. Stay connected and be 588 00:36:33,320 --> 00:36:33,980 remembered. You.