Does the big fish really eat the smaller one?

Successful entrepreneurs and professionals can tell you how networking has been core to the fulfillment of their visions. Even politicians have figured this out already. Social Networking for instance was Key to Scott Brown's success. Tea party twitterers, Facebook friends, and Blogspot buddies helped him win big time as a junior U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.
If examples like this are all around us probing how networking and social media influence stakeholders and decision makers; then, why do people listen to the toxic voices in their heads? Why do they hide behind a resume that does not sell? Why do they have a plain profile in LinkedIn and let hideous Facebook pictures filter in the web for recruiters to see when they Google their names? Why do they network rarely and just come to terms with the network when in urgent need? Why don’t they invest in themselves and give up their chance for success?

It is like a ‘big fish theory’ in which by replicating the force of nature, the bigger fish eats the smaller one creating a chain reaction. But does it work for us that way? Does it have to be like that?

What makes a fish a big one? The size? Its speed? Its power? As we are talking on people terms let’s discard size as a factor and think on speed and power.

But, how can any of us compete against bigger fishes on this sea to be faster at catching the opportunities and powerful enough to win over our competitors? NETWORKING! Look at the picture.

What makes the power of the ‘big’ fish? A bunch of synchronized little fishes moving on the same direction towards a goal. They are connected. They all know why they want; they are following the leader within.

Switch your perspective for a minute and look at your current situation in ‘fish terms’. Where is your network? Have you identified your key allies, mentors, sources of major expertise, best practice holders? Have you identified your own Brand to market it effectively? And are you truly connected to a common ground level to swim at a more powerful speed towards each other’s vision?

Can you visualize yourself moving faster, smarter and with much less struggle by tapping into the resources of your Network? I can. Then, what are you waiting for?

"Our success has really been based on partnerships from the very beginning."

- Bill Gates