The values of past generations are so uncommon today that they can be a key to developing and sustaining your network.  These values are based on human kindness and thoughtfulness and not on money or other more flashy trappings of our society today.  Think of the difference between a heart felt personal note versus a bunch of flowers or box of candy.  The note will create a lasting memory while the flowers or candy will be gone and forgotten after a short period of time.

Here are some ways to display those old fashioned values.

1. Be a triple hitter.  A triple is the rarest of the base hits in baseball.  Triples tend to stand out.  In this context, a triple hitter tries to do three things for others for every one thing that is done for you.
2. Don’t be a “glory hog.” A glory hog is someone who expects recognition for every good thing he/she does.  People often feel used when others need some form of acknowledgement for the good deeds they did for them.
3. Get in the habits of writing personal notes to those who help you out.  See the topic: Knowing How to Make Thank You Something Special.
4. Be respectful in all your relationships with others.  One disrespectful act can overwhelm 100 situations when you are respectful, especially when the disrespectful act is to someone who you perceive to be of lesser status than yourself.
5. Reach out to others and volunteer your support.  The best time to help others is often when they don’t ask for help.
6. Close the support loop.  When someone supports you, see if you can’t extend your support to others who your supporters try to help.  For example, your supporters may have a favorite charity or group they help.  When you help these groups, you are showing how much you value the support you were given.

In all of your relationships with others, you will want to be as much of a giver as a taker.  What you don’t want to become is someone who always receives help from others, but is too busy to extend yourself to those who could use your help..