Before engaging in a mission of mercy with anyone, take a step back before making any commitments. Particularly when it comes to people who fall into one of the categories discussed in the first two video parts of the Outlier Introductions, Violators, Context, & Cautions series. Ask yourself these four questions.
Is helping a specific person or group your responsibility?
Will extending some opportunity/assistance to a person or group yield a significant contribution your desired outcome statement (beyond visibility and low-grade public relations)?
Is the person or people chronically self-destructive in their decisions and actions?
Is there a high risk of finding yourself in a position of distress by helping a certain person or group in one or more of these categories?
If your answers in order are two no’s and two yes’s that is a huge red flag. Can this situation have a happy ending for all involved? Perhaps. You have to make that call, though keep as a priority your own well being and those who depend on you.
It can be hard and even feel mean to take this position, but look at your situation through the lens of your desired outcome statement. Is it wise to divert time, energy, and other resources from achieving your desired outcome to any other effort? There are problems, while genuine and perhaps severe, which just are not in scope for you.
Keeping Notes & Taking Names
Record your interactions in your CRM system immediately after the event. It may be helpful to write down your thoughts and opinions in a journal before they become forgotten memories. This is critical to help you follow-up with those high-potential introductions. It is also just as valuable to keep track of low-potential introductions.
In your CRM, create tags and enter notes to capture your thoughts and their viability for future interactions. I use the terms “Low-potential introduction” or “LPI” for a tag. Same with “High-potential introduction” or “HPI”. Write down why you gave that person whichever tag in your CRM . It’s not uncommon for a LPI to resurface asking for a connection or coffee meeting to “catch up”. Which I then mostly decline after reviewing his profile. For me that “LPI” tag is often paired with “Inactive”, “Avoid”, and other appropriate tags.
When an “HPI” reconnects you know that there is some level of opportunity that exists for you and that person. It is also helpful to nurture these contacts and send periodic emails (quarterly or so) to “HPI” connections (something a CRM can help facilitate). Sometimes it can take months or longer for business conditions to become beneficial for people to work together.