Expand Your Network With Purpose
Welcome to February!
Each month I will elaborate on each of the “Six Tips to Elevate Your Leadership & Retain Talent”, a resource you can download for free from our home page.
Last month, I elaborated on the first tip “Level up Your Personal Brand”. We learned how to identify traits you want to be known for as a leader, determine behaviors to practice that support those traits and consistently and continually practice these behaviors.
How are you doing so far? Reach out on our contact us page if you are feeling stuck or would like to learn more.
Now, let’s discuss how to Expand Your Network with Purpose.
The value of networking includes building relationships, learning from others and creating opportunities. I realize not everyone enjoys networking and some may even dread it. I understand because I was not always comfortable with networking. I initially felt like I was forcing the conversation. Once I changed my mindset and approach, the conversation became more natural. I learned to make the conversation less about me and more about the other person. Have you ever noticed the other person’s body language relaxes when you genuinely show interest by asking questions about them? That’s because they appreciate you investing time in learning about them. The key to networking is to show up authentically, actively listen and focus on learning versus being the expert.
Let’s get started with three practical, actionable steps!
1. Meet With One Person Outside Of Your Network Each Week
When you broaden your network, your “world” becomes smaller because you are more connected, your access to information expands as you continue to learn from others, and your opportunity for career growth increases as you build trusting relationships.
Begin by maintaining a list of professionals in your organization and community you would like to get to know based upon your career aspirations, your observations of their leadership style, their unique skills, etc. Ask a mutual connection to introduce you, if possible. Otherwise, reach out via email or linkedIn with a brief message introducing yourself and the reason you are contacting them. You would be pleasantly surprised how many people reciprocate when you reach out with your “why”. Prepare for the conversation by reviewing their LinkedIn profile or website as this will show you had invested time in learning about them before the conversation. Finally, focus on three key questions where you want to learn more about them and want them to ask you. Here are three examples:
How did you get into this role/profession?
Why is this work meaningful to you?
What brings you the most satisfaction in your profession?
If the thought of meeting someone new each week is overwhelming, start with meeting someone new every other week or once a month. The important point is to start as this will benefit you in the long-run.
2. Join A Professional Association Or Board
You will organically broaden your network when you join a professional association and/or a board. The key is to join an organization that aligns with your career focus and core values. One of the benefits from joining these organizations is the access to resources and information that can help with your growth and development. Professional associations offer various types of virtual and in-person events that meet members where they are in there day to day profession. This provides the flexibility to meet others either virtually, in-person or both.
There are opportunities to get more involved in professional associations beyond growing and developing as a member. Serving on a professional association committee or board provides you the opportunity to sharpen skills beyond your current role that could help with your career advancement. Serving also deepens your relationships with others in that space as you learn from each other, build trust and collaborate. Lastly, you are adding value to the organization you are serving and your service will not go unnoticed, which could lead to other opportunities.
3. Volunteer For A Non-Profit
Volunteering your time and talent adds value to the non-profit and the community it serves. Volunteering ranges from contributing time to one or more event(s) each year to serving on a non-profit board. Similar to your approach for researching professional associations and boards, the key is to volunteer for a non-profit that aligns with your core values.
If you work at a company that offers time off to volunteer, take advantage of that program. This is a great experience to feel supported by your organization while getting involved in your community. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the non-profit where you are volunteering and the community it serves. Your volunteering experience may compel you to serve on that or another non-profit board. As noted above, you will organically broaden your network and deepen relationships when you serve on a board with others.
Now what?
Start small with what works best for you. Trust the process and be open to meeting and learning from others. Expanding your network with a purpose will help you to elevate your leadership excellence.
Next month we will learn how to “Advance Your Reputation”. I look forward to diving into this topic further with you. Until then, be well and keep shining!
We at Cultivate and Thrive help women leaders by providing guidance on strategy and culture so that they gain clarity, work smarter, improve experience, and optimize their organization’s performance. Book a call so we can learn more about you and how we can elevate your organizational culture and performance.
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