Crazy title I know.   But did you know since I had my accident in Brazil, I have swam everyday consistently for 3 months in my quest for total recovery.   And have earned my new nickname — Aquawoman!

Given that I go to the same pool daily ( except for the 2 weeks at Christmas where I went to another location and pool!), I have learned the names of the lifeguards, their shifts, who swims when and what injury they have sustained, where kids are heading to college and the list goes on.  Given the lifeguards had to help me into and out of the pool for a while, I gave them each a small present of my appreciation at Christmas.    I have developed a new small family of swimmers!!!

I thought about how amazing this was!  And it was all SOCIAL! I learned a lot of lessons in that pool for my Social World!

1. Consistency earns Trust.    In Social or any relationship, you can not come in and out.  You must remain consistent in your interactions.  Plan time to interact and develop relationships.
2. It is P2P – People 2 People.  People are not robots.  And they are not just all business.    They have lives and their lives extend far beyond their business side.   Get to know things that matter to them — their families, hopes, dreams, and injuries!  This helps you to know them as a full person.
3. Reward those that help you.   Yes, the small token I gave each lifeguard (22 in total!) was a way I could express how appreciative I was of their help.  Everyday I thanked them.   And they responded in kind. I get so much help and great attitudes every time I  come in.   The same is true in Social.  Re tweet others, interview them and spotlight them.  Thank them for their help and assistance!

As I have said many times, Social is not magic.  It is simply something people have been doing throughout the ages — forming relationships!

You don’t have to be as smart as Watson just have the social skills!!!!