#54: Superconnector Secrets: How to Stop Networking and Start Connecting with Scott Gerber

No one likes the person at the conference or cocktail hour who’s only interested in promoting their company and handing out business cards. This shameless “networker” mentality will not only annoy everyone else in the room, but also hurt your business by burning bridges with potential collaborators. Fortunately, serial entrepreneur Scott Gerber is an expert on the other way to build business relationships—the way of the “connector.” Scott has based his whole career on business relationships and helping other people build them. As the co-founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) and The Community Company, he’s spent nearly a decade helping entrepreneurs and global brands alike intelligently grow their networks. And in his recently released book “Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships that Matter,” he explains why taking the long view on relationship-building and being a connector instead of a networker will ultimately lead to greater success. In this episode of Powderkeg: Igniting Startups, Scott shares how to use the “superconnector” mindset and strategies to create meaningful relationships that fuel business growth. You’ll learn the importance of generosity in being an effective connector, how to more easily spot “takers” in business and life, and how to be the “Sherlock Holmes of discourse” to get the most out of every conversation you have. In this episode with Scott Gerber, you’ll learn: *How self-audits can help you move past your biggest failures (4:55) *Why it’s better to be a connector than a networker (17:04) *How to spot a “taker” who’s only interested in what they can get from you (26:25) *Proven superconnector strategies for building business relationships that matter (29:43) *The role generosity plays in a successful career and a fulfilling life (41:20) *What your family can teach you about giving to others (44:48) Please enjoy this conversation with Scott Gerber! If you like this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes. You can also follow us on Soundcloud or Stitcher. We have an incredible lineup of interviews we’ll be releasing every Tuesday here on the Powderkeg Podcast. Check it out at powderkeg.com/itunes.