Generosity is the essence of friendship.

When I started my company over twenty-five years ago, a friend connected me with a trainer and professional speaker. From the moment I met Tom Stoyan, he epitomized what being a friend means.

Over the next decade, he openly shared his expertise, his experience and his content. He allowed me to attend his workshops, then he hired me to present his material.

More importantly, he believed in me before I believed in myself. He was always available for a supportive chat or to champion an idea. I've tried to model my life in his example. 

So when I heard the Oscar Wilde quote "Generosity is the essence of friendship" over the weekend, I immediately thought of Tom.

To me, being generous isn't about giving things away or making donations (although those can be generous acts); it's a state of mind that you can apply to your everyday interactions. Here's how I do that, based on what I learned from Tom.

Intention. I make it my mission to be generous by being of service and adding value, without expectation of reward. With this mindset, I am open to exploring the interests and needs of others.

Attention. I strive to be in the moment. In every conversation, I put total focus on the other person. It's amazing how this simple expression of generosity impacts my conversation partners. They feel accepted and acknowledged.

Action. Generosity is an action. The more that action is specific and tangible, the more it has a lasting effect. Whether it works or not is irrelevant, it's your intent that leaves a lasting impression.

Repeat. In today's me-first (or quid pro quo) environment, generosity is an investment that delivers exponential results when repeated. It separates you from the pack. Friendship builds over time.

This week's tip: Instead of seeing contacts and colleagues as prospects, approach them as friends. You'll stand out from the crowd and they will go out of their way to do business with you. It's what Tom taught me, and it works.

#NetworkingForResults #CultivateFriendship #BeGenerous #BuildBetterRelationships