Welcome to Networking Unleashed, Building Profitable
Connections, the podcast where we dive deep into
the art of building lasting, impactful relationships
that drive success. I'm your host, Michael Foreman,
and today we're joined by a remarkable guest
who has turned networking into an essential tool
for reinventing her business, not once, but twice
on two different continents. Our guest believes
that the most powerful long -term relationships
are forged not through the typical pitch, but
by paying attention to the small, often overlooked
clues that others miss. She's a master at transforming
cold leads into life -changing partnerships,
and her story proves that true networking isn't
just about growing your business, it's about
growing your connections, no matter where in
the world you are. So whether you're a seasoned
entrepreneur, or just starting out, get ready
for an inspiring conversation on how to network
in unexpected ways, build meaningful relationships,
and create the partnerships that will transform
your business. I would like to bring on to the
podcast today, Micah, Mikey, Micah, Micah, I
think that's it. And I'm not going to attempt
her last name, I'll let her introduce herself.
And I want Micah to give us a little bit about
your background. Thank you very much for your
kind introduction, Michael, and having me on
your great podcast with an amazing topic, which
is very close to my heart. Yeah, I'm Michael
Bettscheider, a German by birth, have lived,
worked and studied all over the world. And I'm
living now in Athens, Greece, which I very much
appreciate and like to be here. I'm an executive
coach and I help people teams organizations leaders
to face crisis and not to survive them but really
strive through them and yeah i'm a big fan of
real relationships because that's what gets us
into a sustainable and deep connected future
which we nowadays from my perspective need It's
so true on so many levels. And I, too, am very
passionate about talking about networking communication.
So this ought to be a fun podcast. OK, so let's
start delve right into the questions. You've
mentioned that powerful relationships are built.
by being of service, not by pitching. Can you
share a specific example where this approach
made a difference in you building a meaningful
connection? Absolutely, Michael. I've always
found that when you come from a place of service,
a real authentic service, people feel it and
they remember it as well. Because when I personally
moved countries and had to start over and over
again, I didn't lead with my pitch, my professional
pitch or what I want. I asked, what do you need
to my counterpart? And one specific moment stand
out when I offered help to someone who was, I
had the feeling struggling to articulate their
business story. They didn't talk about what I
do. I just helped that person to find her own
clarity. And that conversation turned into a
collaboration, then into a long -term client
and even referrals. So my takeaway is really
that people trust generosity over self -promotion.
Of course, it has to be authentic. Absolutely.
In the networking circles, I'll call it circles,
that's... true networking, and that's going at
it with a servant's heart. And it's looking to
give before you receive. Because as many people
know, that if you give, it should, what goes
around comes around. And once you go with the
mindset of giving, you will receive much more.
So I truly believe what you said. Networking
often involves paying attention to small cues
that others miss. What are some subtle cues that
helped you identify potential long -term partnerships?
That's a great question. And that also brings
it back to authenticity and long -term relationship
to really, yeah. get into a conversation with
someone, to form a relationship and network.
And this is where my face reading of psychophysiognomy
is the scientific term method I use in coaching
plays a big role in how I personally connect.
Because most people focus on... what's being
said or they have their own pitch in their mind
but our faces hold years of information and i
don't mean mimics or gestures really the qualities
in our faces we were born with and i often notice
signs of natural creativity or emotional resilience
or even expressing one's voice and these specific
states of time they're deeply rooted in personality
structures or traits and when i see for example
someone with the strong analytical zones which
i can see in the forehead and an underdeveloped
jawline i personally know immediately i need
to invite them gently into an ownership and action
And those subtle physical cues have helped me
tremendously connect with people in a way that
builds real resonance from the start. It's something
different. Yeah, it's different. But listen,
this works for you because you've trained either
yourself or by going to courses or whatever have
you, this going into it. reading the faces of
the people, because people can't hide the face
unless they're trained in that, but they can't
hide it. So they can say what they want to say,
but you'll see exactly what they want to do.
So yes, that's very good. And not many people
have that talent. So, you know, that's probably
very good for you. You've successfully restarted
your business twice on two different continents.
What are some key networking strategies that
helped you turn cold leads into valuable relationships
over such a challenging context? Yeah, rebuilding
networks from scratch twice or even more was
definitely humbling. And it is humbling, which
is always good, I believe, for all of us. But
it also taught me personally. and presence speak
definitely louder than at least my experience.
I always focused on listening first and active
listening, contributing to conversations and
being reliable, also a big one. And one of the
things that helped me personally most recently
was designing something for the community instead
of to the community. What I mean is that it's
how my immersive retreats, which I'm offering
to startups and organizations, was born. And
I offer that to US, Canadian and UK startup teams
or organizations who are craving realignment
and fresh thinking and very inspiring and off
-grid setting in Greece and beautiful islands.
came a powerful entry point for a new relationship
because it's all about an invitation and not
a sales tactic. Absolutely. And you hit on so
many points that I would talk about an hour with
you about. But let me just take just a few pieces.
The first one is active listening. And that term
is used, but I don't think anybody truly believes
it. So if you are listening to the person whom
you're speaking with, and you don't want to think
about the next thing that you want to say, you
want to think about what they are saying, and
you respond to what they're saying by repeating
part of it and giving an answer. So it doesn't
seem like it's all premeditated or conjured up.
So you're actively listening to them. And that
is a big part of networking, especially when
you're looking to volunteer your services. You're
looking to give everything that they want. And
it goes a long way. So I just wanted to bring
that out, that active listening was a substantial
part of the networking itself. Thank you, Mike,
for pointing that out. Totally agree. Okay, because
it's so true. It's so true. And such as yourself,
if you are a true networker, if you are truly
out there to network, you're not just out there
to fill your pockets, but you're out there trying
to help somebody. And if you, that's why I always
say that if you're looking to network and you're
really not sure where, look to volunteer, right?
Because when you volunteer, you're doing something
for somebody. Don't go into it saying, oh, this
is what I do. That will come up eventually. But
if you're there just to help out and give, that's
a big part of networking itself. Yeah, I agree.
Can you recall a time when a relationship you
built came from an unexpected moment? And how
did that connection evolve to something more
significant? Yes, I do. I love the unexpected
moments because this is when it comes to being
on service and being just curious about people.
So then active listening and all these things
are coming just mutually to one. And there was
one specific encounter I made when I was just
walking on a Greek island to do some scouting
for a future upcoming retreat. and it was just
a small walking trail and i met a woman we chatted
casually then we shared a meal she came from
the us where i also lived before so i said we
just chatted and i didn't think much of it actually
and a year later she reached out just recently
because she had remembered that were her words
how grounded she felt in that conversation and
now she ended up sending her leadership team
to one of my retreats and that chance meeting
turned really into a real related partnership
and it reminded me how important it is to just
be open and curious because you never know what
what Yes, seed your planting, right? That's true.
And authenticity is almost everybody uses it.
You have to be your authentic self. But if you
are yourself, when you have that chance meeting
with somebody. Just be yourself, be inquisitive.
And you don't talk business. You can say what
you do because they'll probably ask, but you
don't push that. And you're more inquisitive
about the other person. And that leads into a
bigger conversation. And then you leave very
nicely. You're just leaving. Okay, listen, I'll
see you around. And you never know. And a year
later, when she called you, it was probably on
her mind. before then, but you just, you being
yourself, you just gave, just give and give,
and eventually it will come back. And this is
a perfect situation where it came back. And it's
very good. I have a very good feeling about that.
Having worked on two continents, how does networking
differ across cultures? And how do you adjust
your approach in different environments? I actually
love that because that comes back to being on
service, to be curious. And it's very real. There
are differences and one has to be aware of that.
When I just recall two differences, even it's
in Europe, but totally different is in Switzerland
and Germany. Structure, timing and credibility
are key. For example, people want to see the
plan. In Greece, on the other hand, relationships
move more fluidly. It's about energy and presence.
That builds through shared time, actually. I
have to be more patient, definitely to adjust
my rhythm. In some places, I show the proof first.
In others, I share my story and just let the
relationship grow more organically. Yes. And,
you know, the difference, well, I come from New
York, okay, living in Georgia. And the difference
is just between New York and Georgia is a world
apart. Because in New York, it's business. How
can I help you? Okay, great. You have 15 minutes.
Go. And in Georgia, in an hour and a half, you're
finally getting around to doing business. So
it's very different. Plus the speed in which
you do it. It's very different. That's something
that I had to adjust to because when I came down
here and I go to do business, I turned off a
lot of people. And I just said, okay, so let
me readjust. Let me do what I have to do. You
do it. But I was very interested to hear the
difference within Europe, just within Europe
itself, that you would have those differences.
Absolutely. In your experience, what are essential
elements that make a business relationship not
only thrive, but last for years? I think that's
very important to think about and be aware of.
From my perspective, from my experience, it's
clearly consistency, integrity, and also shared
growth. What I mean with that is the most sustainable
long -term relationships I've had in business
are with people who evolve and who allow me to
evolve too. Because we don't hold each other
to past roles, but we furthermore stay in sync
through open and honest communication. And it
also helps to celebrate the wins together and
hold space when one of us is navigating something
tough. And I'm still evolving together with great
relationships from my time at Chicago Booth or
INSEAD in France as well with clients all over
the continent. So that's my experience. I would
love to hear yours. It's really the same way.
It's those relationships that you're building.
Now, I don't just build relationships. Ever since
the pandemic, okay, the days of building your
customer base really is gone. It's building the
relationships. Now, I used to be in a mortgage
industry. I used to go to those networking events
and come home with a shoebox filled with business
cards and say, look how good I did. When, and
honestly, I didn't do well at all. What I teach
the people that I coach, I say, look, if you
go to a three or four hour event, come back with
about 15 or 20 business cards, because I know
that you've had the talk, the relationship building
to everything else, and then the follow -up,
right? So that follow -up will say how long you're
going to keep that relationship. And how well
you do it. And that's a whole different conversation.
But the relationships that you nurture and you
keep, whether it's through LinkedIn or somewhere
else, that's a soft touch. But when you keep
those relationships, you never know where they're
going to wind up. So that's also very good. Okay.
So what have you been? What? Sorry, what has
been the biggest challenges you faced while building
relationships, especially in unfamiliar markets
or industries? And how did you overcome them?
Yeah, so being you in a culture or even industry
can definitely feel like a wall or felt very
often for me like a wall running with full motivation
right into a wall. And the biggest challenge
was that people didn't quite know what to make
of my combination of business and intuitive methods,
intercontinental background. Instead of explaining,
I offered small, impactful experiences, free
sessions, informal chats, shared insights, a
little bit of storytelling, real stories. And
letting people experience yourself came much
more powerful along for me than trying to convince
them. That made it. You were being yourself.
You're being yourself and giving part of yourself
in your stories. So that in itself is building
your authenticity. And I want to get into one
other factor, but that's part of the next question.
So I'll wait before I bring that into it. Trust
is essential with any relationship. How do you
establish and nurture trust when building connections?
especially in the early stages of a partnership?
Yes, I think trust is essential and built in
small, consistent moments. There we have the
consistency again, which is very important for
sustainable long -term relationships. For me
personally, that means showing up when I say
I will, being real about what I can do, and sometimes
being willing. This isn't the right fit. It definitely
deepens when there's space for both people to
show up fully and not just the polished version.
Back to authenticity. Back to authenticity. Be
real. And it sounds easy showing up when you
say you're going to show up. doing what you say
you're going to do. That's really, it should
be relatively easy. But the trust factor is the
crucial factor. Know you, like you, trust you,
then they'll do business with you. And I say
this to everybody. Everybody knows you. Oh, yeah.
Oh, that's Michael. Trust you. Know you, like
you. Now, that may limit the amount of people,
right? Because not everybody's going to like
you. no matter who you are, right? So know you
and like you, but trust is a crucial factor.
If they don't trust you, they'll never do business
with you. And all of your giving, having your
servant's heart, giving before receiving, that
all builds your trust factor or their trust factor.
And the more they trust you, the easier it is
for them to talk with you, to speak with you.
I totally agree. 100%. Yeah. Okay. So what do
you think is the key factor in turning a cold
lead into a life -changing long -term relationship?
It's more about timing, sharing values or something
else. It's a great question, Michael. For me,
it starts with alignment, alignment of values.
vision and rhythm. But the turning point is when
someone feels seen and safe with you. So trust
comes back in, seen, active listening, looking.
That's when conversations shift from transactional,
if you want to call it, to transformational.
And for example, I've had startup founders attend
my retreats with one goal in mind and leave with
clarity on something entirely different. And
because the setting, there's no noise, there's
a disconnection from what they all every day
have in their mind. And that's the real power,
shared experience. Because that, from my perspective,
deepens trust faster than... Any pitch ever could.
No, it's true. It's true. You get rid of all
the noise, get rid of everything else and let
their initial thoughts come out because they
may be different than what they went to you to
talk about and say, oh, I never thought about
that. Think about that because there are so many
different ways that somebody can take a business,
but to get them, they have to grow personally
before they can grow their business or anything
else. So I'm listening to you. I'm listening
to everything you're telling me. I'm listening
to you move from continent to continent and different
countries. What was your biggest mistake and
how did you overcome it? My biggest mistake was
I learned through to try to pitch my ideas, try
to prove myself in advance instead of what i've
learned it's okay to just and feel it and listen
first all the things i've told you before these
were it was a learning process so i didn't do
that from the gecko and so i think to really
step quicker forward was definitely a mistake.
So leaning back, observing, listening first,
that's what I definitely learned out of it. It
sounds like you went to the school of hard knocks.
You learned what not to do, you had to change
it, and you now do what you're supposed to do.
And that's true, because I went to a graduate
of the very same school. I learned what not to
do, so I don't do that, and I learned what to
do. I'm saying hello to a fellow graduate. Okay,
so let's bring this podcast full circle. For
someone starting their business and looking to
leverage networking for growth, what would you
say was the most important thing that they should
keep in mind when forming a new connection? Clearly,
especially after your last question, Clearly
be a human first. That's it. Forget the pitch
deck at the beginning. Lead with your curiosity.
I think that's very important. Like children,
they're curious. Listen like it matters because
it really does matter. And as you earlier said,
follow up with warmth. That's all I can say.
That's very good. I could talk to you for another
two hours because we're talking on the same level.
We talk about the same things in the same way.
And it's very refreshing to hear somebody else
talk about all this in the way that you are talking
about it. But if somebody wanted to get hold
of you, either to be coached, to be anything,
or just to say hi, how would they get hold of
you? They can reach me via my website, www .compass
-setting .com, via email, via Instagram, also
about Compass Setting or LinkedIn, my name. Very
good. Very good. I got to tell you, this was
a lovely podcast. I'm so glad that you made it
on and I hope to talk to you in the near future.
Thank you so much for having me. It was such
a pleasure. Thank you, Michael. Well, hold on,
folks. Don't go anywhere. Let's hear from our
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561 -427 -4888. A huge thank you to our guests
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Remember, networking isn't about being perfect.
It's about being present. So take what you've
learned today, get out there and make some meaningful
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