Recommending Forward — The Value of Building Your Connections’ Brand on LinkedIn

We’ve seen plenty of reports through online media and in the news citing the concept of “paying forward”. I myself experienced it while getting a coffee at Dunkin Donuts a few weeks ago. It’s a fantastic movement which I support fully.

This had me thinking, however, about how this can work in a professional space. So often, I see people waiting until they leave a position or begin to look for another job to ask me for a recommendation on LinkedIn. I’ve never been one to wait until I was looking to do this — but was always happy to oblige others who took this methodology to heart.

More so, I thought back to times when out of nowhere, someone wrote a recommendation for me. It was always a wonderful surprise (kind of a professional “surprise and delight”) and truly made my day.

That’s when it hit me. I need to plan to give at least one recommendation once per month (if not more). I have worked with some amazing persons throughout my career and given less than 25 recommendations overall. This was a problem in my eyes.

Starting this month, I began this new personal initiative on LinkedIn. I can’t express how excited I am about what this will mean to me personally. Here’s just a few reasons I think it’s something everyone should be doing.

It Builds Stronger Connections

The relationships we build — regardless of their origin — require work to maintain. A strong relationship includes support of one another. By supporting one another, you strengthen your bond. When it comes down to it, we’re stronger together than we are apart.

It’s important to also point out that by recommending forward, you open up the possibility that person may be more willing to assist you in the future. It should be clarified that your central focus for recommending someone should not be your own personal gain regardless. Be giving, not greedy.

They Deserve Recognition

It’s a fairly simple concept, but it’s true. People deserve recognition and thrive when they feel supported. By empowering the people around us, we open the doors of opportunity for all involved.

Not Everyone Is Personal Brand-Minded

Many colleagues whom you work with (or worked with) do not have a personal brand plan. Should they? Sure. This doesn’t mean they do. By providing your feedback and recommending forward, you utilize your own brand to help them build their own. As the previously title said, hard workers deserve recognition even if they won’t give it themselves.

Giving Helps Us Create “Neurochemicals of Happiness”

I first read about some of the neurochemicals of happiness in Simon Sinek’s “Leaders Eat Last”. By giving (and in turn, rewarding others), we help to create additional production of some key chemicals like serotonin (aka, the confidence molecule) to the person we reward. This helps to bolster their own self-esteem and create an important sense of confidence and self-worth.

For ourselves and the recommended, there’s also the possibility that we are producing Oxytocin () which helps to create a more intimate or tribal connection which is often easier to produce in face-to-face settings.

My Challenge

If none of the reasons listed above make you feel as though this is a good idea, then I offer one simple thought.

Do to others as you would have them do to you. — Luke 6:31

You don’t need to be a religious person to appreciate this. It’s a fantastic way to model your actions and ultimately helps to make the world a better place.

All this said, my challenge is simple. One recommendation per month. Twelve per year. It’s not that much of your time and the end result is an amazing one. Even more so, I challenge those who manage employees to do this. Don’t fear the result of potentially losing the employee — instead inspire them to work harder for you!

So, What About You?

Do you give recommendations? What are your rules about doing so? Will YOU accept the challenge?

About Me:

Chris Barrows is Social Media and Mobile Products Coordinator at New York University. He also provides personal branding consultations. You can find Chris on Twitter at@CBarrows and can visit his website at ChrisGBarrows.com.