What are some strategies for building a diverse network in corporate communications?

You likely have something to learn and something to teach. Seek help graciously but offer help in return. What goes around comes around.

Find someone who you disagree with! Most gravitate toward those they share experience, perspective or opinions with. That's easy. Connect with someone you don't always see eye-to-eye with and gain their perspective as an opportunity to challenge your own assumptions and prepare you for arguments or challenges you might be blind to. Both parties will likely learn and grow from this relationship as a chance to stretch beyond their comfort zone.

This is the way.! Go to as many events and meetups as possible. Early in my career, networking seemed hard and often tedious. But as my network grew, so did opportunities for future roles and mentors. I now make a concerted effort to spend time every week networking—whether that’s commenting on LinkedIn posts, checking in via email, offering mentoring sessions over zoom, podcasting, or saying “yes” when people ask to connect or chat with you. If you’re able to attend in-person events, that’s even better. Nothing beats being in-person to leave a lasting impression, but if it’s not as easy as attending local meetups or industry conferences—join online communities and connect with as many folks in your space as possible. Ask them to chat!

In my experience, there are no shortage of opportunities to engage. In fact it can be overwhelming. Starting simply, with a clear focus can be an easier way to get started. Finding affinity groups — veterans, women’s groups, young professionals, heritage and diversity communities where you feel comfortable can all be great first steps. In my time in a veterans group, I discovered several opportunities to partner and collaborate with members of other groups for accessibility, black, Hispanic and others communities. I’ve found that, once you walk through the first door it can help you open many more.

Friends + colleagues at your fingertips! Find industry-specific groups devoted to comms or marketing and connect with folks there. Search for locals with interesting jobs or roles you aspire to and ask them to coffee. They may say no, they may ignore you, or they may say YES—and you’ve got a new connection. Be bold (not pushy). Because you can engage with so many different types of people and communities online, diversify. Join lots of groups and find those that resonate with you and folks who help add value to your life. Then add value to theirs, and see how your network grows. Online communities for networking are more important now than ever, and will continue to become more relevant. Find your people and see how opportunity arises!

If you’re here on LinkedIn, you probably see the value of engaging online. You get what you put in. The more you like, comment, and share your own perspective, the more others will see and benefit from your perspective. Add value for others and it will come back to you, one way or the other.

Volunteering strategically is an ideal way to expand your network. First, consider the ways you want to diversify your network. Second, identify causes and projects that will help you build the diverse relationships you seek. Third, express your interest in volunteering and/or evaluate the ways people get invited to be involved. A few years ago, I was invited to join an alumni association's board of governors at a large university. Although it was limited to one university, it was also a great way to diversify my network along other dimensions. The board had 60 members at the time, representing each of the university's major schools, along with affinity groups for Black, Latino, Asian Pacific, Women, LGBTQ+, Veteran alumni.

Curiosity is an important trait for corporate communications leaders and executives in general. Leaders ask questions of a diverse group of stakeholders, synthesize what they hear, and make decisions in part based on that feedback. Asking people about their perspectives and experiences helps you gather ongoing input as a leader. Open-ended questions that start with "what" or "how" will elicit the most expansive feedback. One caution -- if you're curious about how a group of people experiences the world or views the world, do your own reading of a wide variety of sources. Do not ask people of a specific group, e.g., women, people of color, LGBTQ+ community, etc., to educate you on the issues. It's your responsibility to educate yourself.

Look at your LinkedIn connections to assess the diversity of perspectives in your network. Consider if your are connected with people in different industries, job functions, career stages, perspectives, and groups of people who may have common interests such as women, people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans, differently-abled people, etc. If your LinkedIn network is not as diverse as you would like it to be, make an effort to connect more broadly. Follow top voices of the groups where you would like to make more connections. Comment on content by a diverse group of leaders. Amplify the voices of people who have been traditionally underrepresented by sharing their content. Shine the spotlight on them instead of you.