Before you start reaching out to others, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you stand for as a workforce development professional. What are your short-term and long-term objectives? What are your areas of expertise and interest? What are your core values and principles? Having a well-defined vision and mission can help you identify and connect with people who share your goals and values, and who can support your growth and learning.
There is one key thing needed for a strong network and reputation: be useful to others. Networks are associations of mutual support. Give first, without expecting anything. In time, others will support you. When I think of those with a strong network and good reputation in our field, they consistently do this. Those who regard relationships as transactional are different. Sure, if they provide value when times are good, they are supported. But when times are bad, does the network support them? No, it quietly evaporates. Of course you'll make mistakes. Own them. Of course sometimes you won't deliver. Admit it and resolve to do better. If you start from the right place, people will support you. But always, always, deliver value.
Reaching out to others is a way of clarifying goals, and can help you think beyond your own perspectives. Learning from others should always be part of workforce development. Waiting until everything is perfectly clear isn't realistic or helpful.
I agree but I think it is important to add what are your gaps or areas for improvement because identifying that can also help in identifying and connecting with people to support your growth.
Building and maintaining a strong professional network begins with a deep understanding of your goals and values as a workforce development professional. Define your objectives, expertise, and core principles. With a clear vision, you'll naturally gravitate toward like-minded individuals who can provide valuable support and opportunities aligned with your mission.
These are great ones to consider! I would add who are you best positioned to help based on your experience. Are you an expert in Youth, Adults, etc? Are you best to see the lens of the training provider, government, Employer, or customer? Are you a SME in a specific area of workforce, ie ed tech, construction, apprenticeships, colleges, etc Defining these will help you narrow down how to best grow in such a large industry.
Networking is not something that happens by chance or by waiting for others to contact you. You need to be proactive and strategic in building and expanding your network. This means researching and identifying potential contacts, reaching out to them with a personalized message, following up regularly, and offering value in return. You also need to be strategic in choosing the platforms and channels that suit your purpose and style. For example, you can use online platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or blogs to showcase your work, share your insights, and join relevant groups and discussions. You can also attend events, webinars, workshops, or conferences that relate to your field and interests, and network with other participants before, during, and after the event.
I like the points listed and would like to add that while being proactive, it's important to maintain authenticity. Your networking efforts should reflect your genuine interest in the field and your desire to contribute meaningfully to it. Authenticity in your interactions will build trust and foster stronger, more lasting professional relationships that in the AI driven future becomes very important skill.
I would add in terms of strategy that professionals consider like goals such as sharing value-based philosophy and action oriented information such as science and implementation. I also enjoy in- person networking after 5pm to get to know others working in the same industry. That way you can really learn about someone elses interests and complient with your own. By joining various associations, you support these groups financially and also gain credibility by learning domain specific knowledge as well as meeting new people in a field.
LinkedIn is a great way to start building that brand. There are not a ton of workforce development people on LinkedIn so there is a ton of opportunity for you to find those active in the space and seek partnership or guidance.
I think there are a few things to remember when being proactive and strategic; there is a tendency to find contacts online and add everyone. This can overwhelm you and the people you are trying to connect with so take it slowly, add a couple of contacts you really want to connect with and work to connect with them through experiences and knowledge sharing, and build from there over time. Also, be yourself, showcase your skills and experience but also you as a professional, and a person. This helps make you memorable and encourages others to connect and support you.
Networking is not about collecting contacts or impressing others with your credentials. It is about building genuine and respectful relationships based on trust, mutual interest, and reciprocity. To do this, you need to be authentic and show your personality, passion, and curiosity. You also need to be respectful and listen actively, ask thoughtful questions, give honest feedback, and acknowledge the contributions and achievements of others. Remember that networking is a two-way street, and you need to give as much as you receive. This means sharing your knowledge, resources, referrals, or support when appropriate, and expressing your gratitude and appreciation.
When I carried out an analysis of the imagery people created to illustrate 'authenticity', they most often showed roots, and the foundations of tall buildings or castles. In this sense authenticity is seen as a foundation of action, but it's not a logical analysis. People described it more as a judgement upon action, and something they chose to invest in you, rather than something demanded or bought.
Engage Actively and Authentically in the Community Participate in community events, workshops, and conferences related to workforce development and diversity and inclusion. Being present and active in these events helps you stay informed about the latest trends, meet key players in the field, and demonstrate your commitment to these causes. Build Partnerships and Collaborations Establish partnerships with other non-profits, educational institutions, community organizations, and businesses that share similar goals. Collaborate on projects, grant proposals, and community initiatives to amplify your impact and build a reputation for effective collaboration.
Interesting - when I thought about authenticity a mirror or a still lake came to mind. I have a photo I took this weekend which I can share.
Understand that everyone else’s point of view is different instead of good or bad, don’t go into prejudices before listen the complete idea, you can build a better relationship either way your coworkers if you are open to listen and understand their thoughts and opinions. In my experience, being curious and asking questions to understand is a great way to show empathy and respect.
Always give first. I will often ask how I or my company can support their work. Sometimes we just have a great coffee chat and never actually talk about our day jobs and thats some of the best ways to build those relationships.
Building a strong network and reputation takes time and effort, and you need to be consistent and reliable in your actions and communication. This means following through on your promises, delivering quality work, meeting deadlines, and keeping your word. It also means staying in touch with your contacts, updating them on your progress, providing value-added information, and seeking feedback and advice. By being consistent and reliable, you can demonstrate your professionalism, competence, and integrity, and earn the respect and trust of your network.
This also means showing up! Whether that’s online or in person ensure that you have the consistency of presence. Are you being a voice for the specific area you care about or just adding to the noise?
Share Your Expertise Contribute your knowledge and insights by writing articles, blog posts, and white papers on workforce development and diversity and inclusion topics. Present at conferences, lead workshops, and participate in panel discussions to share your expertise and establish yourself as a thought leader. Mentor and Support Others Offer mentorship and support to emerging professionals in the workforce development and diversity and inclusion community. By helping others grow and succeed, you build a reputation for being a supportive and influential leader.
Consistency is always key in regards to branding. In addition to being accountable and having integrity, ensure your brand is consistent across customers. In that, if you market yourselves as ABC on one medium, say an internal company site, you should also do so on an external medium, such as your job description on LinkedIn. Likewise, you should show up as ABC in all aspects of social media to encourage and develop trust with your target audience.
The workforce development community is constantly evolving and changing, and you need to be adaptable and open-minded to keep up with the trends, challenges, and opportunities. This means being willing to learn new skills, explore new ideas, and embrace new perspectives. It also means being open to feedback, criticism, and suggestions, and using them to improve your practice and performance. By being adaptable and open-minded, you can show your network that you are curious, flexible, and innovative, and that you value diversity and collaboration.
From this I hear, 'get curious' and I couldn't agree more. When you find yourself reluctant to an idea or suggestion, instead of turning it down - ask for more information. Remember, as you're building your network - you're in the information business. The more information you have about your target audience, the better your communications.
I agree that seeking feedback is one of the most important aspects when building your network. By openly seeking feedback you're essentially saying, "I value your perspective and experience." This approach not only helps you refine your skills and strategies but also strengthens your relationships with peers and people you value in your network.
The key to this is pushing past your comfort zone, learning to ask for feedback and more information, deferring to others in order to gain insights and being open-minded to things you haven't experienced. Things move quickly in workforce development and there are many external variables that impact it and the specific workforce space you inhabit. It's important to recognize these changes, maintain flexibility and collaboration to be ahead of the game.
Engage in Continuous Learning Stay informed about the latest research, trends, and best practices in workforce development and diversity and inclusion. Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge, demonstrating your commitment to continuous improvement. Seek Feedback and Reflect Regularly seek feedback from your peers, partners, and beneficiaries to understand how you can improve your efforts and collaborations. Reflecting on this feedback and making necessary adjustments shows your dedication to excellence and responsiveness.
Advocating for changes in your organization and community positions you as a workforce development leader by demonstrating your commitment to driving meaningful, systemic improvements in diversity, inclusion, and workforce practices. Your advocacy efforts can inspire others within your organization and community to take action. By leading by example, you encourage others to support and engage in initiatives that promote workforce development and inclusion, amplifying the impact of your efforts.