Here are some hints how to work in a community or network.

On Sunday 2018/05/27 from 8 to 9 a.m. was a radio program in Germany on WDR2 about Networking.
The sociologist Franziska Kopitzsch gave us some very helpful hints how to act in a community.
Here are my notices and personally additions:

How to behave in a community

• Networks are important to find specialists and to create something new, to create a new project.
• You should always know what target you have.
• When you communicate, use the 70-20-10-rule:
  • 70% of your time listen to your partners
  • 20% introduce yourself
  • 10% bring in your requests
• When you create a community, you need:
  • A common target
  • A common language (way of communication, way of meaning)
  • Common rules

When you meet people

• The most important thing is the eye contact.
• Give a good and firm handshake.
• Be aware of the different characters. Every one has its own way of perception, thinking, feeling and (re-)acting. Usually men are more success-, women more social oriented.
• Be authentic.
• If there is a dress code, try to keep your own style and feel safe in your clothes.

What you should invest

• There is a difference between contacts and relationships:
  • Try to get a lot of contacts to people that maybe useful for you.
  • A relationship is work. You need to invest in it, so choose your relationship partners wisely.
• A network is a dynamic process. People come and go. Don't worry too much about it.
• You are only a good community-member when you also bring something of worth in.

Good mood!

• Success needs optimists, so be one of them.
• The highest rule is: The community needs to have fun with the people and the work. (Conflicts are allowed/needed, but don't hurt others.)
• Forgive others and have a big heart. You never know the reasons, why people act their way. Maybe you request their behavior.
• Stay human.

Regards, Achim