How do you use your leadership plan to expand your professional network?

I’m a little torn by these suggestions because I think for most people these questions can be a little difficult to digest or some people may not be thinking big enough because of their current environment. The suggestion I would offer to craft this vision is starting with: - What is currently at the core of your leadership? Knowing what type of leader you are is helpful. - As your career evolves, what values do you find yourself drawing closer to? How you are growing matters. - What is driving your why? Everyone is not after impact. - What is your why for being a leader? - What are the reoccurring challenges in life or your work that you find yourself gravitating to? This will help center the focus on what your vision can become.

The key steps to using a leadership plan to expand a professional network, include seeking out networking opportunities at industry events, leveraging leadership skills in professional roles, seeking mentors and advisors for guidance, and engaging in online networking through platforms like LinkedIn. Implementing these strategies can help to build valuable relationships that support career advancement and growth.

A leader without a vision is like a boat without a rudder. Doesn’t matter how powerful the person/engine… without guidance it’s ability to move in a consistent direction is limited. A vision indeed must be compelling and those who receive it must understand why it’s important both in the big picture and the smaller one which applies to their own beliefs and values. To create a compelling vision it must resonate with the purpose of the leader and their company. When there’s alignment, there’s intention and when there’s intention, there’s the potential to drive change and fulfillment!

I’m a big proponent for everyone to create their own board of directors. A small group of individuals who can and should come from various backgrounds. The key is to ensure you invite people who will not only brings powerful contributions in thought leadership and advice but also avoid simply saying yes to everyone and anything. To avoid this, first get clear on your personal and professional goals. Then look at the people in your circle or outside of it that can provide you support based on their backgrounds. Don’t be shy, now is the time to step forward and ask for what you need. Lastly be clear in your expectations of what you need/want to set them and you up for a powerful partnership. Seek to have a minimum of 3-5 people.

I slightly disagree. From my perspective I think it’s incredibly helpful to have people in your network who have completely different values. I think leaders need two things: 1. Board of Directors 2. Network of people for different reasons - Some with be for mentorship, mentees, learning, allyship, exposure, collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and opportunities. Use your leadership plan to identify what areas of your network you need to build out. Get very clear or what areas are missing and what stage of your career you are in because it will determine how you build.

Building relationships is a crucial step in expanding your professional network. By reaching out to your target network, expressing interest, and offering value, you can establish trust and credibility. Utilize different channels like social media, online forums, and events to connect with others. Show that you've done your research and understand their needs. Be respectful and professional in your communication, avoiding pushiness. Regular follow-ups and keeping track of conversations demonstrate your commitment. By investing time and effort into building relationships, you create opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth.

A great leader once said, “The greatest privilege of a lifetime is to be who you truly are.” Know that this is your time to be just that authentically. Try not to be so scripted and focus on building a rapport that feels natural to who you are. This stage of the process needs to be extremely consistent with what it would feel like to interact with you in person to create continuity. Doing your research to find mutual shared interests can be helpful in forming that bond.

use your leadership plan to expand your professional network is to reach out and build relationships with your target network. This means initiating contact, expressing interest, offering value, and following up with your target network. Doing so helps establish trust, credibility, and rapport with your target network, creating opportunities for mutual learning, support, and collaboration. To reach out and build relationships, consider using various channels and platforms such as social media, online forums, blogs, podcasts, webinars, events, newsletters, etc. Customize your messages and interactions to show that you have done your research and that you understand their needs and goals.

You can start by defining your vision and core message, consistently posting content around this offering different perspectives and inviting discussion. Opportunities to speak, be interviewed for podcasts, journals etc. will soon flow through. This demonstrates excellent social proof.

I would look at this a little differently. I think when you proceed with assumption that you are naturally showcasing your leadership skills at every step of the process, you will inherently show up like that. The opportunity here is to share your insights and invite other people to join in on that discussion to drive a more fruitful and impactful conversation. Speaking on a panel is a great way to share that insight too. Another big opportunity is when you are expanding your network is to learn about what people are working on or care about, so that you can foster mutual connections between others in your network to help scale their objective. This will help you act in your influence and show other people how collaborative you are.

Showcasing your leadership skills is vital for personal and professional growth. It demonstrates your ability to inspire, influence, and guide others towards achieving common goals. By showcasing your leadership skills, you gain visibility, credibility, and recognition in your field. This can open doors to new opportunities, promotions, and collaborations. Effective leadership fosters trust and creates a positive work environment, improving team dynamics and productivity. It also encourages innovation, as people feel empowered to take risks and share their ideas. Moreover, showcasing your leadership skills inspires and motivates others, encouraging them to develop their own leadership potential.

Building a strong network is crucial for leader success. A robust network offers valuable resources, knowledge, and opportunities. It provides access to diverse perspectives and expertise, fostering innovation and informed decision-making. A network offers support, guidance, and encouragement during challenging times. It enhances visibility and influence, opening doors to new opportunities. A strong network also promotes a culture of collaboration and continuous learning within the organization. In conclusion, a strong network is an essential asset for leaders, providing resources, support, opportunities, and fostering growth and success.

Networking is not just about what others can do for you. It is especially also about building mutually beneficial relationships, offering support, and adding value to others' professional journeys. Focus on cultivating genuine connections, nurturing relationships, and consistently expanding your network over time.

I align with the notion of servant leadership because I believe that when you are always in service to others, you don’t have to worry so much about the other stuff. People rarely remember what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel. When you center this around step one, it becomes about building up one another. I recognize all of this can be hard because society has made networking transactional in nature but it doesn’t have to be. Remember this is about you growing yourself, growing others, and being who you truly are.

Leadership is like tennis, if you don’t serve you don’t win. My recommendation is to include being of service in your development plan so you can experience what it means, feels like and requires to be in a position where people are counting on you to set the tone, pace and vision toward success.