Do you have a tradition during the holidays?

Do you have a tradition during the holidays that truly marks the time of year and tells you the holidays have arrived?

In our family we watch It’s a Wonderful Life, my mom throws a big giant party around it that she has thrown for 30+ years with friends from all over. But she moved away last year in retirement, so I’m watching it alone this year… and as all things need to have meaning for me in LinkedIn land…

I was thinking about how George Bailey’s network saved his life, quite literally.

George didn’t get where he was by chasing favors or collecting business cards.

• He showed up.

• He invested in his community.

• He helped others without expecting anything in return.

• So when the bottom fell out? His network showed up for him.

Networking isn’t about who you know. It’s about who knows you. The real you. The one who leads with generosity, builds trust, and does the right thing even when no one’s watching.

If you’re stuck in a “networking is gross” spiral, find your inner George

• Help someone without keeping score.

• Build real relationships, not transactions.

• Stay connected to your “Bedford Falls”, the people and community that matter most.

Because when the moment comes (and it always does), your network isn’t just a safety net, it’s proof that the good you put out into the world comes back.

Clarence had some serious wisdom when he said. No one is a failure who has friends. (Well he said no “man” but I’m taking some liberties 80 years later).

So be a George Bailey.

And if you don’t know who that is, we can’t be friends. Please go out on a Frank Capra binge watch right now and at least pretend to feel like all is right in the world for 90-120 minutes.

#tradition #holidays #itsawonderfullife #georgebailey #networking