Pam Chambers: Making the Connection

By Danielle Lum, Hawaiian Bureau Chief       Danielle's Bio    Email article to a friend

Some call her the "Queen of Networking" because no matter what they need, Pam Chambers can put them in touch with the person who can make it happen.

"About three times a week, someone will call and say, ‘I need something...’" says Chambers, a long time Hawaii resident and communication skills coach. "I’m not content to say, ‘I can’t think of anyone,’ I really pride myself in giving them an answer."

It’s this attitude that has made Chambers the hub of so many networks and the first name so many people think of when they’re looking to make a connection.

But it wasn’t always so...

When Chambers came to Hawaii in the 1980s, she was invited to go Sufi dancing at a local community center. Being new to the islands, she saw it as an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. It marked the first time she willingly went into a group of people with the intention of mingling and meeting others.

It didn’t go well.

"I was very shy," says Chambers. "But luckily people took me under their wings and helped me."

She has come a long way since then.

It’s hard to believe that this very outgoing, very enthusiastic, and well put-together woman was ever shy, but she insists that it is true. She preferred to stay behind the scenes whenever possible. It wasn’t until she took a job with a company that required her to do live presentations in front of audiences as big as 300 that she broke out of her shell.

Getting out in front of people was the first step, and Chambers took to it well, eventually starting a company whose sole purpose was to teach others how to do effective and powerful presentations. It was during one of her public speaking responsibilities that she realized the sheer power of being connected. For years she served as the emcee at the Winner’s Circle, a breakfast networking group that has since disbanded. One morning as she stood in front of the group each week, she had an ‘aha’ moment. Connectivity mattered.

"When people are looking for something, they’re not going to look in the yellow pages. They will ask people they know and respect for suggestions," says Chambers. "So I want to be someone who knows of someone who can provide for someone’s want or need. Eventually I will be the one in need and it will come full circle."

Stay at home mom networking.

When her first son was born, Chambers devoted her time as a stay at home mom. And while she enjoyed being with her son, baby talk just wouldn’t cut it – she was bored and longed for adult conversation.

So she made a list of people around town that she would be honored to meet and know. Then she took the courageous step to call and invite them to her home for lunch, coffee, or drinks. The results were very positive.

"People were flattered that I wanted to get to know them," says Chambers. "And not one person said ‘no.’ In fact, they remain some of my best friends and business associates. I still keep in touch with them." To illustrate, Ron Martin, who was on her original list, is now her book publisher and remains a great friend.

Chambers takes this fearlessness into every networking opportunity she encounters. She can and will approach just about anyone and strike up a conversation. "Most people are gracious and will talk with you. In fact, I’ve only had two people who have ever rebuffed my networking effort."

Being fearless in networking is one of Chambers’ best pieces of advice, "Introduce yourself to the most important person in the room," she says with all sincerity. "I say this for two reasons: 1) If you can gather the courage to do that, you can do anything, and 2) That important person just might introduce you to other people."

Keep in touch.

With all the people she knows and all the networking she does in a week, it can be difficult to keep everyone straight. So Chambers keeps what she calls a "Keep in Touch" list. It’s a physical list that she looks at every day. It’s a short list of people that she truly enjoys being with, feels she can learn from, or people she senses she can contribute to their lives. Simply put, she considers the people on this list to be full of integrity and the cream of the crop.

The list is kept in her line of sight and she makes a point to scan it daily. She studies the names to see if there is anyone she has allowed too much time to pass without a contact. If a name pops out, she takes action and reaches out to them. "There are quality human beings on that list, so reaching out to them enriches my life," says Chambers. "And after I’ve touched bases with them, I always think, ‘now why don’t I do that more often?’"

Since 1985, Chambers has helped thousands of people from all walks of life – bankers, attorneys, hospitality employees, dogcatchers, artists, writers, entertainers, retail employees, newscasters, union presidents, and even a 10-year-old running for student government – with presentation skills, business etiquette, customer service, and dressing for success. She shares her wisdom through group workshops that always fill to capacity, private one-on-one coaching sessions, and speaking engagements.

Contact Sandy at SandyM@TheNationalNetworker.com or TNNW Blog.

 

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