Finding career allies is not only beneficial for your professional growth, but also for your personal well-being. Career allies are people who support you, challenge you, and inspire you to achieve your goals. They can be mentors, peers, sponsors, coaches, or friends. But how can you find them and build meaningful relationships with them? Here are some tips to help you.
Before you start looking for career allies, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, what skills you want to develop, and what gaps you want to fill. This will help you narrow down your search and focus on people who can offer you relevant guidance, feedback, or opportunities. You can use a career development model, such as the Dreyfus model or the GROW model, to assess your current level of competence and identify your areas of improvement.
Once you have a clear vision of your needs, you can start reaching out to potential career allies. You can use various channels, such as online platforms, professional associations, events, or referrals, to find people who share your interests, values, or goals. You can also look within your current organization, industry, or community for people who have the experience, knowledge, or influence that you seek. The key is to be proactive, curious, and open-minded.
Finding career allies is not enough; you also need to establish a strong connection with them. This requires trust and rapport, which are built over time and through consistent communication. You can start by expressing your appreciation, interest, and respect for your potential allies. You can also show your willingness to learn, contribute, and collaborate with them. You can use various methods, such as emails, calls, meetings, or social media, to stay in touch and follow up.
One of the main benefits of having career allies is that they can provide you with valuable feedback and advice. You can leverage their insights, perspectives, and expertise to improve your performance, solve problems, or explore opportunities. However, you need to be willing to listen, ask questions, and act on their suggestions. You also need to be respectful, honest, and humble when seeking feedback and advice. You can use tools, such as SMART goals or SWOT analysis, to structure your conversations and actions.
Another benefit of having career allies is that they can support you and help you achieve your goals. They can offer you encouragement, motivation, or recognition. They can also introduce you to other people, resources, or opportunities that can advance your career. However, you need to reciprocate their support and value. You need to show your gratitude, recognition, and loyalty. You also need to offer your own skills, knowledge, or influence to help them with their goals.
Finding and building career allies is not a one-time event; it is an ongoing process. You need to maintain and nurture the relationship with your career allies over time. You need to keep in touch, update them on your progress, and celebrate your achievements. You also need to be flexible, adaptable, and responsive to their needs and changes. You need to respect their boundaries, preferences, and expectations. You can use tools, such as feedback loops or action plans, to monitor and improve the relationship.