The art of securing a first, live meeting with a new contact. Mark Cook shares an interview from when Lisa Morozoff was a principal with Mercer, San Francisco (now with Uber) and with Ryan Wiersdorf, a sales leader and top performer at O.C. Tanner. Mark also adds a response by Rob Plowgian, sales leader at NetCuras, about beginning business relationships. Plus, Rob offers a bonus: discovering tech. “dev ops” problems and opportunities for providers. All four participants in this lively discussion explore relationship-building, positioning a company, and understanding operations for prospects. The discussion covers key challenges in others' roles, the role of emotion in decision-making, and strategic networking. Guests also share preparation tactics for referrals and the art of asking for introductions—highlighting the power of personal connections and purposeful outreach.

A new relationship requires understanding feelings not just thoughts:

"Emotion is part of decision making."

"Value is progress."

"I believe in sharpening the saw."

Learn a way to start the very beginning of a relationship with a new contact…

Mark Cook

Takeaways

• Forethought and purpose impact communication significantly.

• Building relationships is crucial for any great success.

• Emotion plays a key role in decision-making.

• Value creation must get practical in networking.

• Asking for referrals best requires any approach besides selling.

• Understanding the macro environment aids in preparation.

Keywords

communication, operations, talent acquisition, networking, referrals, emotional intelligence, business relationships, leadership, value creation, relationship building

Ryan Wiersdorf: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanwiersdorf/

Lisa Morozoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-morozoff-3469a45/

Rob Plowgian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robplowgian/

Chapters

00:00 The Impact of Communicating Well

02:15 Building Relationships in Business

08:49 The Importance of Live Meetings

17:29 Attracting Meaningful Conversations

24:50 Preparing for Referrals

35:39 Approaching Potential Referrals

42:03 Channel Strategy for Growth

Catch this conversation, Mark Cook and Tom Zaiderman explore AI, Autonomy, and the core of leadership, emphasizing the importance of service, compassion, and interconnectedness in both personal and professional realms. Tom shares his philosophy of leadership as a form of service, drawing from ancient wisdom and personal experiences. He discusses the significance of creating space for others to contribute and innovate, as well as the need for realistic positivity in leadership. The conversation also touches on the impact of personal adversity on leadership style and the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of all stakeholders in a business.

Facilitation is more effective than authority in leading:

"Leading is serving by creating a space."

"You cannot cheat this system…"

"Pause, take a deep breath…Feed the Pause."

Unbelievable adversity led Tom to greater compassion and a forward lean.

Mark C.

Takeaways:

Leadership is fundamentally about serving others.

True service involves recognizing the interconnectedness of all stakeholders.

Positivity should be realistic and grounded in truth.

Creating space for innovation is essential for growth.

Personal adversity can lead to greater compassion and understanding.

Effective leadership requires emotional intelligence and empathy.

Rethinking business strategy through the lens of service can yield better results.

The best leaders prioritize the needs of their teams and stakeholders.

Leadership is about connection, not just decision-making.

Links:

Ruby.ai Robotic Technologies: https://ruby.ai/

Tom Zaiderman: linkedin.com/in/tom-zaiderman-84808438

Chapters:

00:00 The Philosophy of Leadership

06:46 Service as a Leadership Principle

13:42 Creating Space for Innovation

19:02 Personal Loss and Leadership Growth

32:36 Fostering Team Positivity

37:25 The Future of AI and Leadership

Keywords:

leadership, service, AI, personal growth, compassion, positivity, interconnectedness, business strategy, emotional intelligence, facilitation

Join Mark and Kent Bowman, now to apply deep dives into “actionables” for starting valuable relationships of mutual benefit that also grow revenue! From, Co-Founder and Board Member at Tanner LLC. Discover how Kent helped grow one state’s largest CPA firm and spearheads programs at City Strong Foundation, transforming communities through education, mental health support, and neighborhood improvements. Start building authentic connections today! Follow Kent Bowman’s actionable advice to strengthen trust and collaboration in your professional life.

Uncover Kent Bowman’s proven secrets to turning trust into unstoppable success:

"Positivity creates opportunities and lasting success."

"Ownership and effort set you apart."

"Build trust before seeking anything in return."

How did Kent Bowman’s five-step method revolutionize networking success?

Mark C.

Watch Bold Encounters atMarkSpencerCook.com/Podcast,YouTube.com/MarkSpencerCook,Spotify, or listen onApple and most other podcast platforms.

Lessons Learned:

-Build trust by delivering unconditional value to your network.

-Foster positivity to attract people and opportunities.

-Approach networking with authenticity, not self-interest.

-Recognize vulnerability as a strength in relationship-building.