Here's how you can use your professional relationships to achieve your career goals.

I can achieve my career goals by staying connected with contacts, seeking advice, sharing my achievements, and leveraging their network for opportunities and insights.

Using professional relationships effectively can significantly help achieve your career goals. Start by clearly defining your objectives. Identify mentors and peers who can offer guidance and support. Maintain regular communication, sharing your progress and seeking advice. Attend industry events and participate in discussions to strengthen these connections. Building and nurturing these relationships can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable insights for your career advancement. If this advice resonates, consider liking this contribution.

In building businesses, the fundamentals of trust are everything; with your people, with your clients and with your wider industry. Many years ago, my chairman shared some wise words with me - "if you say you will do something; make sure you do it". This has stayed with me for nearly 20 years. In the process of working to build businesses, we need to be consistent too. We need to offer help to others and personally not want anything back. Another client shared with me around a year ago; "make sure you are fully immersed in helping others and leading". Wise advice and something I have always done, but never fully openly and as much as I believe should be. So now, I do this in the open, sharing openly and helping as many as I can.

Na minha experiência, entendi ao longo dos anos que estabelecer elos de confian?a e a inteligência emocional s?o fundamentos essenciais na lideran?a. Observei também que lideran?a n?o diz apenas de ser líder e liderado, e sim sobre influenciar organiza??es para o propósito que você traz, claro conduzido pelo objetivo da empresa.

Your professional relationships are key to achieving your career goals. Start by identifying your objectives - whether it's landing a new role, securing a promotion, or expanding your network. Then, leverage your existing connections to open doors. Reach out to mentors, former colleagues, and industry contacts to seek advice, explore opportunities, and build mutually beneficial partnerships. Attend industry events and conferences to meet new people who can offer valuable insights or introduce you to the right people. Remember, it's not just about what others can do for you, but also how you can help them in return. Nurture your professional relationships, and they will help propel your career forward.

Offer help and support to your network. Building strong professional relationships is a two-way street. By providing value to others, you increase the likelihood that they will help you in return when you need it

I believe in cybersecurity which is our industry, there has been a change over the years from creating value and instead moving into a position of taking and thinking about one's own game. I think this is wrong. But there are refreshing others parts of our industry that actively give, think and question how they can add and drive value. The market is now in a position where it is starting to polarise with those who actively engage, are not selfish, add value and share their knowledge with energy and enthusiasm. I believe that AI is allowing part of society to shine as there are no short cuts to critical thinking and value. Value is not the same as efficiency. They are distinctly different. We are human and need to invest in each other.

Always think about how you can add value to your relationships. Share useful resources, introduce connections, and provide support when others need it. When people see you as a valuable contact, they’re more likely to reciprocate.

Professional relationships last long when you have intention to add value. Whether it's an internal stakeholder within the organisation or an external connection on professional platform like LinkedIn, everyone appreciates what value they are deriving with the connection. Sooner or later it will benefit in the professional growth.

Parafraseando Napolen Hill, "só temos sucesso quando permitimos que nossos liderados tenham sucesso" e isso está ligado a entrega de valor e o valor da oferta. Esse valor está muito mais ligado a sua proatividade e disponibilidade do que no seu entendimento técnico.

Effective professional relationships hinge on clear communication. Regularly update your network about your career goals, interests, and achievements, ensuring to share relevant information without overwhelming them. This clarity helps others understand how they can assist you, fostering collaboration. Active listening is equally important; by paying attention to others' goals and challenges, you can identify ways to offer support. This attentiveness not only strengthens your connections but also enhances mutual understanding and cooperation, ultimately benefiting everyone's career growth.

Open communication and clear communication is a great art. It is something that perhaps suffers because many of us are "too busy" or have too many meetings or competing demands on both our time and attention. But we must actively invest in our professional relationships and invest in both ourselves and others. There is a great joy in this. Paying attention to others takes work too again when we are drowned in volume, notifications and such. To help me do this, I have no notifications and do not allow any messaging or other screens to be visible when I am speaking with someone. I feel it inappropriate to have half an eye on messaging whilst then not giving the people I am talking with my fullest attention.

Make sure the people in your network are aware of your career goals. Have open conversations with your manager, mentors, and colleagues about what you’re aiming for. This way, they can keep you in mind for relevant opportunities and provide support or advocacy when needed.

Vejo que n?o basta apenas a clareza na comunica??o, mas também a cadência, a estrutura??o e a positiva??o dessa comunica??o (Feedback). é fato que a comunica??o ao longo dos anos tem sido divisor de águas na transforma??o digital e na evolu??o dos negócios, visto isso investir cada vez mais e inovar na forma de se comunicar é o grande desafio

Staying in regular contact with your network helps keep the relationship alive and ensures you're on their radar when opportunities arise. Communicate your career goals clearly and seek advice or mentorship from those who have the experience and insights you need. For example, let your connections know about your interest in moving into a leadership role and ask for their guidance on the steps to take. Clear communication helps in setting the right expectations, avoiding misunderstandings, and ensuring that both parties know how they can support each other. It makes it easier for your connections to help you in concrete ways, aligning their support with your career objectives.

I love diversity in all forms; human, cultural, knowledge, thinking. It opens us up to different ways of thinking, different styles, different approaches. Some of my biggest breakthroughs have been with teams who are seriously diverse in every sense and its so satisfying to see such breakthroughs. It is enriching, professional and gives a deep sense of satisfaction. Daily I am exposed to around 8 timezones and interact with so many different people, cultures, roles, functional areas. Its a great mix of people that keeps me personally interested and motivated to continue doing so as I learn so much.

Forming a personal board of advisors around me has been single-handedly the most important driver for my business and professional growth. A personal board of advisors doesn’t need to be formal or structured. It's about identifying for yourself a group of people—including mentors, industry leaders, colleagues, and other professionals—who you can turn to for regular guidance, feedback, and support. Here’s how I went about creating mine: 1. Clarify what areas you need support in and your goals 2. Look for people within your network 3. Start conversations with potential advisors and be clear about why you want their guidance 4. Set up time to connect and engage 5. Reciprocate by finding ways to provide value to your advisors in return.

Find mentors who have the experience and insight to guide you. A good mentor can provide valuable advice, help you navigate challenges, and introduce you to other influential people. Regularly check in with your mentors, keep them updated on your progress, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice.

Seek out mentors who share your values, even if they are from different industries. Diverse perspectives can provide a wider range of experiences and insights, offering unique solutions and opportunities you might not have considered. While mentors from your own industry can provide valuable career-specific guidance, those from other fields can broaden your outlook and help you develop versatile skills. Balancing mentorship from both within and outside your profession can enrich your career journey and open up new pathways for growth and success.

I always highly recommend networking with your peers and senior leaders on social media. LinkedIn is an excellent platform if utilised properly to make great mentors and industry connects. The more you learn from experts, the more you become like them. That's the philosophy I believe in. Try to spend some time to identify the right set of leaders, read their articles, try to connect with them, have a healthy discussion, ask for help & support. Writing a crisp message to a leader on LinkedIn for guidance goes a long way. All the best! Feel free to write to me for any guidance/mentorship.

It's never too late to seek professional mentorship. In my career I was lucky to have some of the best mentors and coaches who pivoted my professional growth. Come out of ego, surrender yourself as a student and seek help. The whole world is waiting to help you to make the progress you are looking for.

Intentional networking is a cornerstone of effective leadership. By focusing on quality over quantity, leaders can build a robust support system that offers diverse perspectives and resources. Authenticity in these relationships fosters trust and collaboration, which are essential for long-term career success. Engaging meaningfully with industry peers not only enhances your professional growth but also positions you as a credible and reliable leader in your field.

Networking is a vital tool for career growth. ? Building strong professional connections: Access to unadvertised job opportunities and referrals. ? Maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, mentors, and industry contacts: Connects with influential people, provides career guidance, and advocates for promotion. ? Engaging with professional network: Exposes to new learning opportunities, staying updated on industry trends and technologies. ? Collaborative projects: Opens doors to skill development and growth opportunities. ? Mentorship: Network of seasoned professionals provides insights and advice for career advancement. ? Consistent nurturing of professional relationships: Positions oneself for success in achieving career goals.

Map out who in your professional circle can help you achieve these goals. This might include mentors, colleagues, industry leaders, or even friends who work in relevant fields. Think about who has the influence, knowledge, or connections that could be beneficial.

It’s not about how many business cards you can collect, but rather the depth and quality of the connections you build. Seek out relationships with individuals who share your professional interests, values, or career aspirations. For example, instead of attending every networking event, choose those that align most closely with your industry or professional goals. Taking the time to nurture a few strong relationships is more beneficial than spreading yourself too thin with many superficial ones. Intentional networking allows you to build meaningful connections that can provide substantial support and resources, moving you closer to achieving your career goals.

One practical insight to enhance leveraging professional relationships is to establish a regular schedule for staying in touch with key contacts. Set reminders to reach out periodically, whether through emails, coffee meetings, or virtual calls. For instance, I maintain a calendar where I schedule quarterly check-ins with my mentors and industry contacts. This proactive approach not only strengthens relationships over time but also ensures that connections remain active and supportive. Regular communication fosters ongoing mutual understanding and support, making it easier to ask for advice or assistance when needed to advance your career goals.

Be opportunistic to connect people in the industry you are working for. There are two advantages to build professional relationships. You can seek mentorship and be a mentor who is looking for the growth you have already traversed.

One time, I was so frustrated by the advice that was constantly coming my way about how to advance my career ("Get a mentor!" "Figure out who to connect with!" "See if you can get in on a big project"!) that I burst out: "Yes, but I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT!" If you ever find yourself in the place where you know WHAT to do but not HOW, remember: "If you don't know the next step, the next step is to find the next step." Lighten up a little on yourself and ask around: What's my next step to advance my career?

Don’t let relationships go cold. Regularly check in with your contacts, even if it’s just a quick message to see how they’re doing. Consistent, genuine interactions keep the relationship strong.

Use your professional relationships to solicit feedback on your performance and identify areas for improvement. Constructive criticism from colleagues and supervisors can be instrumental in your professional Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with industry leaders, join relevant groups, and participate in discussions. This can help you stay informed about industry trends and connect with potential employers or collaborators.

One of the things I found very useful in collaboration is to set common goals and define roles clearly to achieve these goals. As Simon Sinek says, “know your why” and help others to know theirs. This clarity ensures that everyone understands their purpose and contributions, fostering a unified and motivated team working together towards shared objectives.