RCCG IGNITE 2020; The Dominion Mindset -Pastor (Mrs) Eyono Fatayi-Williams

INSTRUCTIVE GOD’S NARRATIVE INTENTION TOTALLY EXPANDED (IGNITE) YOUTH SUMMIT 2020 CONFERENCE

THEME: THE DOMINION MINDSET

SPEAKER: PASTOR (MRS) EYONO FATAYI-WILLIAMS (PASTOR, RCCG ROSE OF SHARON PARISH IKEJA LAGOS AND GM, EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, OF NIGERIA LNG LTD)

TOPIC: “THE POWER OF NETWORKING AND RELATIONSHIPS”

DATE: 18TH JULY, 2020.

IGNITE YOUTH SUMMIT 2020 CONFERENCE – THE DOMINION MINDSET has been a Program that I know will remain Indelible in the memories of many Young People – Not just in Nigeria but all over the world.

INTRODUCTION OF THE SPEAKER:

Now, we will be going on to our next Speaker and she is our only Female Speaker today.

She is a woman who is amazing; a woman who has accomplished a lot in the World of Corporate Structure and also in Ministry.

She is the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, of Nigeria LNG Limited.

Prior to this, she held several Leadership and Management Positions in the Company; in Human Resources, Commercial Sales, IT and Telecoms.

She has experience in Oil and Gas Industry, Banking, Security, Printing and Manufacturing Industry Sub-Sectors.

She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administrators of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Women in Business Board Institute.

And also, a Member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Employees Consultative Association (NECA).

She is also a Member of several Professional Bodies and a John Maxwell Certified Coach and Mentor.

She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the University of Lagos and a Master of Science Degree in Corporate Government from Leeds Metropolitan University.

On a Volunteer Basis, she gives Personal Growth, Effectiveness and Leadership Training to Young People!

And currently serves as a Member of the Board of Holistic – a Not for Profit, Non-Governmental Organization; focused on Rehabilitation of Vulnerable and Abused Girls.

She is also the General Secretary of African Missions Global: a Not for Profit Faith Based, Non-Governmental Organization, with a Vision – to Reach, Restore and Rebuild Lives and Communities in Africa and around the World.

Committed to addressed the Plights of the less Privilege; Particularly in Rural Africa, through appropriate Community Development and Empowerment Initiatives and Projects.

She is also an Ordained Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

She values People and is Passionate about the Personal Development of those around her; with the particular focus on Young People, Organizational Effectiveness, Good Governance and Influential Leadership for the common Widow.

Joining us now, is Pastor (Mrs.) Eyono Fatayi-Williams.

… Ma, you are welcome to IGNITE 2020.

Thank you very much, Ayo. Thank You for that Introduction; and for having me with you.

I am delighted to be here. And it is always a Pleasure to be Part of your Summit.

I would like to thank the Leadership of this Conference for giving me the opportunity to exchange Ideas with you.

This afternoon, I will be speaking on: “THE POWER OF NETWORKING AND RELATIONSHIPS.”

… But before we go any further, Please let us have a WORD OF PRAYER:

Our Father and our God, we Thank You for the opportunity to learn at Your Feet this afternoon.

Like Mary, we want to humble ourselves before You and ask that You will speak to us as a man speaks to his friend;

That You will speak to us with clarity and understanding, on this very Critical Topic.

I Thank You because You are the God of Relationship and I Pray that we will have the Privilege of learning from You – at Your feet (in the next few minutes).

Please, teach us Yourself; teach us Lord!

In Jesus’ Name I have Prayed – Amen!

So, NETWORKING AND RELATIONSHIPS. These are important for equipping the Saints for the work of the Gospel.

It is important for the Building of the Body of Christ – That is Ephesians 4:11-13; it puts it all in context.

And it does this by “Iron sharpening Iron” – When we Network and forge Mutually Beneficial and Productive Relationships.

Now, this is really brought to bare, if you look at Proverbs 27:17.

It says that: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

I like to read that Scripture again from the New International Version (NIV) where it says that:

“As iron sharpens iron, so one Person sharpens another.”

And that is in context, what Networking is about and Relationships.

So, Why Networking in the first place? Why Network at all? Why bother? What is a Network?

Before we can even talk about: ‘Why we should Network; let us start with a Short Definition.

WHAT IS A NETWORK?

… It is a definition that is in context with what we will be discussing this afternoon.

It is the act of building connections with People, or Organizations, or Groups: To enable an exchange of information and ideas among Individuals or Groups that share a “Common Interest”.

… So it is about an Exchange!

In these days, it is rarely a Social Economic activity – There is a Social aspect, there is an Economic aspect.

Or it is an activity of meeting People of “Common Interest” in other to form and maintain a Relationship based on that Interest that is common to the Group.

So, People of “Common Interest” form a Network – And this could be Ministry, it could be Business, it could be Professional, it could be Social.

But it is that “Common Interest” that defines the Group!

It is all about Exchange and staying connected.

The connection Part of it, is where RELATIONSHIPS come in.

So, it is not enough to be in a Network; there must be Connections, there must be Relationships.

So Why Network? Why bother?

I asked that question before! – Why bother?

A Network I think, is a Platform where you LEARN from those who have the EXPERIENCE.

You don’t have to PAY from that experience; you learn from it – By being with People who have this experience.

It helps with your Growth in the Subject Matter; it helps you Access New Opportunities; it helps you Promote your own Ideas; it helps you gain Support.

It can help you stay Motivated: when you are feeling a bit rough or run down, or a bit low about an experience.

And then somebody in that Network (has walked that road before) – they encourage you!

So, it helps you stay Motivated; it helps you receive Good Feedbacks if you are ready for the feedbacks.

It helps you to find Partners, to find Customers; to Point support for a Community.

It Provides opportunities for Contacts and Referrals.

And it can open doors – Particularly for those in Business; it can open doors for you, for Business Opportunities.

It can help you stay connected to your Purpose: stay connected to People who are in your Community of Interests.

If you are in Ministry – You are an Apostle; it is Good to be in the Community of Apostles, or a Network of Apostles. Or you are a Pastor; have a Network of Pastors!

… You have “Common Interests”!

If you are in Business, in an Industry Sector, if you are in Banking, or you are in Oil and Gas; Please, stay connected with the People in your Industry and your Profession.

… That is exactly what Network does fie you!

It helps to build Relationships!

Networking is an important Relationships Building and Sustaining Tool.

If you take nothing else this afternoon, take that home: That Networking is an important TOOL to help you BUILD and Sustain RELATIONSHIPS.

PEOPLE are your most important ASSET in life!

Some People say it is Money; but People can channel the money!

Remember that an Asset has a Value; and the Value of your Network has a direct impact on the VALUE of what YOU ARE WORTH.

I’m sure you know this Popular saying that: “The Value of Network DETERMINES the Value of your NET WORTH.”

… It is a very Popular saying!

But I would like to modify that slightly – for the Purpose of our discussions this afternoon. To say that:

The Value you EXTRACT out of your Network, is the REAL VALUE of what your NET WORTH is.

Well, the Value of your Network is the Potential Value of your Net Worth!

If you are in a Network with “Highly Valued People” and you don’t EXTRACT any Value from them; you will still remain Low Value.

But the Value in that Network is a Potential of what your Net Worth should be!

So, it gives you something to aspire to.

If you bring several Pieces of iron together – From the Scriptures that we read (The Network). And you do not sharpened one another – You cannot sharpened the countenance of each other; your friend cannot add Value to your life!

So, Please remember that in the work of Service – Whether it is in the Market Place, whether it is in Ministry or wherever your Place of Assignment is – where God has called you to; It is important that we not only Network but that we foster Relationships that bring Value out of those Networks.

So, What are the three (3) types of Networking?

I mean, I have talked about three (3) broad Networking Options. I just want to narrow down to just three (3)!

THREE (3) BROAD NETWORKING OPTIONS.

1. PERSONAL NETWORKING:

This is about enhancing and DELIBERATE increasing the Number of People in your own sphere of influence.

… You WORK towards it!

2. OPERATIONAL NETWORKS:

This is in manner of speaking – At least it involves Relationships with Colleagues.

Being in an Industry Network, in a Ministry Network – People whose Support you can count on and People that can help you in the work that you do, or in the Assignment that God has called you to do!

This is aimed at Motivating, Cooperating and Achieving certain objectives.

3. STRATEGIC NETWORKING:

This is about DELIBERATELY cultivating a set of People, or some People – AIMED at achieving Support, or some Specific Goals and Objectives that you have set for yourself.

“Strategic Networking” is about enlisting the support of People who can help you to achieve your Strategic Objectives.

Be it on Fame, in your Personal life, Politics – in any sphere of life that you are in – Your Assignment.

Always go back to your Assignment – God brought you here for a Purpose. And it is that Purpose that is on your Score Card and it is that Purpose that they will evaluate you with.

Don’t work on another man’s Purpose! Don’t look for somebody’s else Network – Look for the Network that is linked to your Purpose in life!

It is about enlisting the support of People who can help you to achieve your Strategic Objectives in life.

WHO ARE YOUR MENTORS?

Who are those you go to for Coaching – On one thing or the other?

So, those are the Types of Networking; I just narrowed down to Three (3)!

But now, there are Types of Network. And what type of Network should you have?

I always say: As many compartments as you have in life, should determine the types of Network you should have!

We are Spiritual beings; we are first (1st) Spirit, housed in a Body.

So, in your SPIRITUAL NETWORK:

1. Who are those that help you in your work with God?
2. Who are those you sit down with for Bible Study?
3. Who are those you go to when you have been meditating on a Word and you know you have Prayed, the Holy Spirit lays something on your mind.
4. Who are the People in that Network that you can talk to?
5. What sorts of Conversation do you have with those that should be your Spiritual Network: That helps to enhance your walk with God?

… You know that without that, we are nothing!

6. If you are in Ministry, what sorts of Network should you have, to compare notes? … So that Iron sharpens Iron.
7. If you are a Professional; are you in your Professional Networks?
8. Do you know what is happening in your Industry?
9. Are you an Academia? Even on the Social Scene, what sorts of Network do you have?

So, if I’m in three (3) different Vocations, I would like to make sure that I have Networks in those three (3) different Vocations.

Definitely, the one that helps my Spiritual Walk; someone that helps my work in Ministry.

I don’t believe there is difference between Ministry and Market Place because Market Place is a Ministry for some of us!

Whatever Networks you need in these different Places, it is important that you have them!

But more importantly, WHO SHOULD BE IN YOUR NETWORK?

… What sort of People should be Populating your Network?

People that have the Technical or the Business that you are looking for or that you are in.

If you are an Engineer, make sure you are in the Network of Engineers – So that you can learn what is New, see how People are doing things differently.

If you are in Ministry, same thing – People that can give you different Perspectives.

Avoid Populating your Network with People who think like you, and walk like you!

Those who can see things in different Perspectives; it is important that you have them in your Network.

People that can teach you New Things, show New Opportunities – Point you to the directions where there are New Opportunities.

People that can support your efforts and celebrate your success; People that can give you Good Feedbacks.

Not those that will only Praise and Praise and Praise You! But People that can give you “Valuable Feedbacks”.

People that can help you stay Motivated; People that can Coach and Mentor you.

… These are the sort of People – BROADLY SPEAKING, that should be in your Network.

People that are a Role Model, People that you can “Look Up” to!

Paul said: Follow me, as I follow Christ.

People that you can “Look Up” to, who you know are definitely on their way to Heaven!

So, I have talked about Types of Network, the Sort of People you should have in your Network and the Networking Types – The three (3) Broad ones.

But there is something else; in Moving forward – HOW DO YOU POPULATE THAT NETWORK?

… How do you go about Populating that Network?

Some People call it: ‘A Networking Cycle’; some People call it a ‘Cycle!’

There are Long Cycles, there are Small Cycles – I would just narrow down to:

Five (5) Different ACTIONS that connect to form a Networking Cycle.

1. You have to MEET PEOPLE:

So, if I’m in Banking, I’m in Oil and Gas – I want to join an Association of Oil an Gas. If it is Gas, I want to join the Gas stream. If it’s Oil, I will join the Oil Stream.

If I’m in Banking, I want to associate with People who are in Banking.

… So you meet People!

… No.1 is that – you have to Meet People.

2. If you want to be heard, you need to Listen and Learn from that Network.

So, you Meet People, you Listen, you Learn. And sometimes you want to be Heard!

… You make connections – This is about RELATIONSHIP.

And I’m sure you will say: but I have met People, what is there to make Connections?

… We have talked about that – They are Relationships.

No. 1: So you meet people; No. 2: you listen and learn. Go there with a Learning Mindset!

A lot of people don’t listen; they listen to respond, rather than listening well.

3. Make Connections
4. Follow Up! – You need to know the People you meet in your Network.
5. Stay in Touch: – Very important to stay in touch.

From time to time, ask: ‘How are you doing?

Stay in touch, send them a Note ‘how are you doing?’

*So, those are the Five (5) Things in our Networking.

And then, what are the Good Practices for Networking? What are the Good Networking Practices that we should adopt?

What are the Good Practices for Networking?

1. Set Networking GOALS:

If you are not deliberate about anything in life, you will just drift along!

… Set Networking Goals!

2. Know when to do Networking.
3. POPULATE your Network.

Following that Circle, Populate your Network; also Build Network – You work at it.

Even for Salvation, the Bible encourages us: “To work out our Salvation with Fear and Trembling.”

From time to time, Evaluate your Network; examine yourself.

The Bible encourages us: “To examine ourselves daily… ” – It is important!

Any Network that is toxic – That does not add Value to you; any Network that tries to Pull you down; is not a Network that you should Build!

Align your labour towards achieving your Goals!

… If a Network does not achieve your Goals; then, do not be in it!

If you are in a Network and maybe you thought you were in a Network of Internet Users. And then you find out that the Network of Internet Users – Doing E-Commerce (or instance);

And you find out it is a Network Populated with Yahoo – Yahoo (those who are doing Scams): you have no Business in that Network.

… It doesn’t align with your Goal.

So, it is important to evaluate and then ensure that the Network aligns with achieving your Goals.

Be a Catalyst as well – Be willing to be a Catalyst to create Network.

If you have a Body of Knowledge, or you are a Subject Matter Expert; be willing to Spearhead a Network so that others can also learn from it!

So, enough about Network; let us go into RELATIONSHIPS (in the interest of our time!)

I talked about it in the Networking Circle, that one of them is that ‘You MUST CONNECT.’ And that ‘Connection is about Relationship.’

RELATIONSHIP: This is the way in which two (2) or more People or things are connected; or the state of being connected.

So, Relationship is not just about meeting People; but there must be a Connection.

There is a Book I would recommend that you read – It is a John Maxwell Book (I’m a John Maxwell Person). And the Title is: “Everyone Communicates what he Finds”.

… You might be Communicating, but you are not connecting!

So, for there to be a Relationship, there must be a Connection.

Someone could be in a Church Network – Show Up in Church every Sundays. He/She is a Member of my Parish but has no Relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

That Person has not connected; but comes in and Communicates.

… SALVATION is what connects us together.

That is what really shows that we are Part of that Network: – That Network that keeps us Safe and Secured.

Again, you can have two (2) pieces of Iron, but if they do not have a ‘Sharpening each other Relationship’ – There will be no Value!

The Relationships you can call on in your Network, that is what brings Value to your Network.

NETWORKING is therefore a Tool that creates a Platform where you can Build Positive and Mutually Beneficial Relationships.

So, I ask you this afternoon: Are you Connecting? Or just Communicating?

Make sure YOU CONNECT!

WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES FOR DEVELOPING EQUALITY RELATIONSHIPS?

… We are now focused on Relationships!

What are those Principles?

There must be hundreds! But in the interest of time, we will narrow down on a few;

1. First of all: Identify Set Goals and Values.

You should have no Relationship with People whose Values and Goals are different from yours; because they will bring you DOWN!

It’s easier to bring down, than to PULL UP.

We have talked about the Internet Users Association (for instance); E-commerce Internet Association that turns out not to be what it is;

You have no business in that Relationship because they do not share in your Goals and in your Values.

2. You Must Develop Mutual Respect – Don’t look down on anybody in your Network

You must be willing to be vulnerable to all; to open yourself up in any Network because what you put in is what you will get!

Create Time and Occasion for People to Network with each other

You must create TIME for this and ensure that you put in Quality Time!

If it is going to sit in a Brain Storming Session with the People who are in your Networking – That is the thing!

… It is in this area that ‘Iron sharpens Iron!

So, in Networking, there is a PROCESS and there is a STRATEGY.

There is a Process that you must follow; and that Process, we will talk about it here:

1. Map out Clusters and Network that you want to Cultivate.

That is why I talked about ‘Compartments in your life.’

Map them out! – And ensure that you cultivate Network in those areas.

2. Build New Relationships – By diversifying your Networks.

Give as much as you expect to get from any of those Relationships. Don’t go into a Relationship to exploit anybody because you will be exploited.

… What you sow is what you will reap.

3. Selectively spend Quality Time with Relationships that are Key to you.

… That is very important!

4. Prune, Renew and Reshape your Network frequently.

You know, the Bible encourages Pruning – When you Prune; it is a Catalyst for Growth!

Apply your Brand, your Time, and Resources to Networks that are important to you.

… It’s important that you work at this!

And to Build this Networks; to Build Sustainable Relationships, there are Things that you should FOCUS ON .

For you to build a Sustainable Relationship, and a Relationship that will be beneficial to you, and to that person:

1. You must Learn to Listen.

A lot of People listen to respond; they don’t listen to LEARN and to get Value.

This Promotes Greater Understanding on all levels and facilitate the Ability for you to ask Good Questions.

Asking Good Question is an Act in itself!

… Questions that leads you down the Path of Growth; Questions that Unlock Things that bring Value to you.

Listening increases Efficiency, Productivity, and minimizes the Potential for conflict or misunderstanding because you are listening to UNDERSTAND; not listening to RESPOND!

Seek to Understand what your Network is all about and what is going on around you.

Be sensitive to the Culture and be willing to adopt it in running your Business – if it does not offend your Fundamental Values (as a child of God).

This helps to Promote Flexibility, Harmony; it helps you look at things in a “Bigger Picture” and it helps you to work more effectively.

2. You must have a “Right Attitude” – A “Positive Attitude” is critical.

There is a Book Titled: “ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.

A consistently “Negative Attitude” makes People to be just tired of you – They will dislike you.

You know, it becomes (what some People call) ‘High Maintenance Relationship” – No, don’t do that!

Don’t have Attitudes that make Relationship with with you ‘High Maintenance’ one because a set Relationship drives away Potential People and Referrals that could open the doors for you.

A Positive Attitude makes People want to associate with you!

3. Be APPROACHABLE!

… It is very important that you are Approachable.

When you are Approachable, People feel comfortable with you. When People feel comfortable with you, Relationships are born!

That is why Effective Networking always starts with APPROACHABILITY.

… You MUST be Approachable – Very important!

4. Then be SINCERE.

Those who have developed Successful Networking Skills convey their Sincerity at every turn.

Be Sincere! – “Let your Moderation be known to all men.”

Let your Yea be YES; and let you No be NO!

When People know they can trust you, then they can put things in your hands and then they are willing to want even Partnerships with you.

I think in Summarising, I want to zero in on what I call: FAITH CAPITAL.

… In terms of Networking and Relationships.

Networking and Relationships is something that should bring Believers together.

It should be a source of Encouragement and Support; it should be Network that we are comfortable, not where where we are Vulnerable with.

We should have Network where we Identify and Sharpen our Spiritual Gifts.

We should have Network that helps us Grow and Mature in Faith!

We should have Relationships that helps us in exchanging Ideas that Unlock things for us.

It should be an opportunity for us, as GROUP: to reach the World, as a Formidable Group – It is important!

The Bible says: “Do not FORSAKE the Assembly, or the Fellowship of the Believers.”

… That is talking about Networking!

The Lord Himself says: Don’t forsake the Assembly of those who have “Common Interest” of the People of Faith.

… Do not forsake it!

So, I hope that in the short time that we had, you remember a few things:

1. You Need a Network
2. Iron must sharpen Iron. And for iron to sharpen iron you have to go find Iron in the Right Network.

… And be willing to sharpen each other.

3. In a Network, you must Build Relationships;
4. It is not enough to be in a Network and talk – Talk with Communicating CLEARLY and very clearly; and Connecting with People.
5. It is important that in the Network we have: What is the Value of the Network (to me) – There is a “Potential Value” and an “Actual Value”.

The “Actual Value” is the Value I EXTRACT out of that Network; the “Potential Value” remains the Possibilities of what I can extract from the Network.

So, I think I will leave it there Ayo!

And say Thank you very much for the short minutes;

I hope that I have been able to add to your body of knowledge – in terms of of: Why it is very important that WE VALUE NETWORKING AND RELATIONSHIPS.

Thank you very much!

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