Networking isn’t just about handshakes.  Ace networkers learn to master the navigation and the niceties that earn networkers acceptance, respect and authority.

Here are four road – tested tips:

• Use a light touch when thrust into spotlight.  Let’s say you suddenly  ecome very visible in an outside organization.  Your new-found prominence will be instantly suspect and perhaps be more off-putting than advantageous. Be helpful but modest.  Do your best to defer recognition to long-term leaders, read to praise their accomplishments in giving the organization a footing.

• Create timelines for your networking goals. Be patient.  Understand that it may take 1-2 years to position yourself in a network routes to business objectives far ahead.  Is the CEO an opera buff or dedicated to funding a dialysis center?  Are you building a network path to mesh with those passions?

• Don’t stall answers.  When you acquire a serious network presence, you’ll be asked for favors in no time.  Don’t be slow to answer calls. . . even if you can’t promise your contact much help.  Networks telegraph who the fast responders and who the slowpokes are.  The biggest mistake you can make is not to answer a viable network member who is reaching out to you.

• Act confidently and take meaningful risk.  In networking, as in anything else, the wise person isn’t the one who makes the fewest mistakes.  It’s the one who learns the most from them.