Page 11 - 2019 April

visits for Ted Corcoran’s Presidential Visit to
District 7 back in 2003.”
Cleon has a mantra: ‘In everything I
do, I must have fun, meet people, and learn
something.’ I’ve quoted him numerous times
as I’ve spread the message of Toastmasters to
everyone who would listen.
I asked him why he attends so many
networking events and what’s his purpose in
doing so. “I began going to networking events
after I started the Job Finders Support Group
27 years ago. I realized that people looking for
work needed to be out meeting other people. It’s
not the only way to do it, but it is probably the
most efficient way to go about it. Many people
don’t want to do that. They’d rather just mail in
resumes, but they don’t get the results they need.
“So I began going to groups and then telling
people about it in my support group. I told them
I met this person, I met that person, and what
opportunities were out there.”
Cleon often talks about the ‘hidden’ job
market, the one that passes information from
person to person by word of mouth. Cox opined
“80-90% of the job openings out there are
hidden—meaning they haven’t been thought
of, they haven’t been publicized, the company
doesn’t realize they need the person—many
reasons make it hidden. It’s relationship building
not just passing out business cards.”
When asked what could others do to be
effective in meeting people, Cleon shared “be
open, listen in depth. Quiet the questions in your
head and just listen. Find out about the people.
The value is getting to know them.”
From a young man afraid to connect with
people to the Networking Whisperer as he calls
himself today, Cleon continues to inspire me
to follow his lead. As Gary Schmidt said, Cleon
shares himself and his experiences for the love
of doing so without expectation of reward. His
dedication to learning and leading others to
discover their own skills and abilities is a gift
worth cherishing indeed.
VOICES! | APRIL 2019 11