How can you network effectively when leading a team?

I don't think I agree that you have to have a clear idea of why you're doing it. Some of the best relationships I've built in my network were born out of chance interactions where a personal connection was made. From my experience it's more important to be open, approach interactions with the goals of seeking to understand and leaving people better than you find them... and look at new connections with the perspective that everyone has something you can learn from them.

Building relationships both inside and outside the company is essential to effectively networking when managing a team in order to support objectives and promote professional development. As a team leader, the following techniques will assist you in networking effectively: - Recognize the goals and qualities of your teammates. - Encourage candid conversation among team members. - Acknowledge accomplishments and provide helpful criticism. - Plan team-building exercises to improve communication.

One of the most important choices we all have to make in life is if we want to be more a giver or more a taker. This impacts your entire networking purpose. If, like so many great leaders - and the greatest leader of all time, you decide you want to be more of a giver with as many relationships as you can, then your purpose is easy - its just to care for others and meet THEIR needs as best as you can. Its so much easier to build relationships and connections when you don't always have to think about what's in it for you. But here's the fun part. My experience is that by caring for others and helping meet their needs, its amazing how much that brings back to you. Perhaps the greatest purpose we can have is to simply love others!

Whatever your purpose, understand that a network is a net of people working together, and the strength is in its connections. So first, be a great CONNECTOR in your networks! INTRODUCE PEOPLE to each other and cultivate relationships by OFFERING VALUE, rather than just seeking opportunities. Maintain regular communication, and seek to build GENUINE, MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS. The QUALITY of your network shows your leadership capabilities and help strengthen your PERSONAL BRAND, in both online and offline platforms.

Effective networking while leading a team involves leveraging both internal and external opportunities. Internally, it can include fostering a collaborative environment and encouraging team members to share insights and connections. Externally, attending industry events, joining professional groups, and actively engaging on platforms like LinkedIn. Focus on building genuine relationships rather than just expanding contacts. Facilitate introductions and exchanges of knowledge within your network, and always follow up after meetings. Remember, effective networking is about mutual benefit and building lasting professional relationships.

Never network ‘to network’. Network to genuinely add value to others and yourself. Do this by understanding people, their needs, and how you can serve them; and to share authentically who you are and what’s important to you. In the process, learn from people, understand how you can serve them, and build understanding of who you are and where you need help. A true network is not a collection of people making superficial conversation over drinks- it’s a group of people bonded over shared understanding and authentic connections, and vested in each other’s growth.

My way of acting is being authentic , consistent and humble . My effort goes in creating an environment where people can be themselves and we can give and receive feedback (without doubting about each other), listen to each other with empathy This attitude pays off and I believe that who has not those characteristics should not be a leaders, neither be an HR

Networking is easy initially. Just find a common ground with people and you are there. However, in the long run, people start disconnecting. Multiple reasons, yet one common is they doubt your authenticity. Equally important is your curiosity. A curious person asks questions and is a good listener. These quality makes you a desired member of the group and the journey of networking becomes easy.

My favorite place to be curious is on an airplane. Some of my all time greatest networking moments have happened more than 10k feet up in the air! Instead of tuning out or sleeping, consider taking time to get to know the person next to you. How? Here’s several real life examples that have lead to long term relationships for me: - “I just got a (new device) too, how do you like yours?” - “Sorry to bug you but I noticed that terrible logo on your shirt. How long have you been a Michigan fan?” (I don’t recommend this one but it really worked) - “I love that book. What part are you at? I promise I won’t spoil anything.” My #1 go to when I don’t have anything better: - “Is (place the plane is headed) home for you?”

Authenticity is your greatest asset in the world of networking. Be yourself and let your personality shine through. People connect with real individuals, not just job titles. Share your experiences, successes, and even failures. Authenticity builds trust, making your connections more robust and resilient. Stay genuinely curious about others. Ask open-ended questions that go beyond the surface. This not only helps you understand their perspectives but also demonstrates your interest in them. Authenticity and curiosity create an atmosphere where connections flourish naturally, leading to deeper and more impactful relationships. ??

Far too often people look at their network through the lens of what it has to offer to me. It’s natural since a lot out there tells you that’s the purpose. I’ve personally found it far more fulfilling to look at it through the lens of what can I offer to them. At the end of the day, a network is a suite of relationships, and relationships won’t thrive when one party feels like it’s only valuable for what can be taken from it. Think of your network as a key group of people you can offer value to through your leadership and experience. While counterintuitive, it pays in dividends. You’ll build far stronger relationships and people will surprise you. When you least expect it, someone will come through for you in ways you never expected.

Leadership style is very imp for the success of any organisation . I prefer the democratic style and like to support and mentor my team . I like to create mini leaders to empower them to take decisions and if it goes wayward i support them as behind every fall is the motivation to do it right the next time . Value them and you will be valued too

Adding to what Ms. Farzana Dohadwala said democratic leadership and creating mini leaders instils great learning and develops your teams into future managers. It help them prepare for futuristics leadership roles.

Sharing knowledge and offering support shows that you want the other person to succeed. And this leads to building trust, which is the foundation of any meaningful relationship. Ensure that you're genuine while offering advice and support. Also, avoid coming across as a 'know it all'. Be honest and humble about the topics where you can offer genuine advice and topics where you are not an SME. Even when you aren't an SME, see if you can get the person connected to an SME.

It can be helpful to see each person you interact with as having a score of 10/10. This focus on seeing value in others has the inverse result of you being interesting (because you are genuinely interested in others)

Some people are more givers and other people are more takers. I’ve decided I want to live on the giving side of life with as many people as possible. So, if I can help, I generally do it, even if I don’t immediately see a way to get something back from the relationship. It’s a great way to live and takes the pressure off to always feel like you’re going to get something in return. I had someone on a flight treat me like this one time and the next day I called him and offered him a job. He’s now President of that entire company. Just because he took the time to open up his network for me with no expectation of getting anything in return.

First, as the lead says, “involve your team.” But, have pre-agreements about outcomes and approach. Also, having a unified style or system established with the team helps it all to be effective and natural while strategically executing on the goals. There are really solid methods and workshops out there but make sure everyone is at least committed if not skillfully prepared for each opportunity. Then, it comes down to disciplined follow up, notes in the CRM from everyone for everyone, and some form of group after-action with notes on individual contributions. Occasionally, however, make sure it is purely about community and social capital. Enjoy the culture because otherwise, what’s the point?

Make sure your team knows the "why" behind the networking. As stated in the article - there are lots of reasons to network. If you are trying to drum up new clients/work, ask your team who they know or if they have heard of anything around their jobsites. It is amazing how much gets discussed at an active project that can lead you and your team to new opportunities in the future.

Your team is not just the group you manage; they are valuable members of your network. Encourage collaboration within your team, creating an environment where ideas flow freely. Leverage the diverse skills and perspectives of your team members to enhance both individual and collective success. Similarly, connect with professionals outside your immediate circle. Attend industry events, join online forums, and participate in discussions. Broadening your network beyond your team exposes you to new ideas and opportunities. Actively seek connections who can bring fresh perspectives and resources to the table, enriching your leadership experience. ??

You are your network! Is it a broad network or narrow? Is it strong or weak? Does your network have decision makers in it? How about C-Level folks? What about technical specialists? Can it help it help get funding? Solve problems? Get you a job? The are all questions you should be asking along the way. People think of the strength of their network when they need something and that is too late. Building a network takes an investment of time and resources. It should benefit your network as well as you. Start now!

Effective networking requires both strategic planning and adaptability. Identify key individuals or groups that align with your goals and strategically invest your time and energy in building relationships with them. This doesn't mean overlooking others, but prioritizing connections that align with your team's objectives. Stay adaptable in your approach. The business landscape is dynamic, and networking strategies must evolve accordingly. Embrace new technologies, explore different communication channels, and be open to unconventional opportunities. Being strategic and adaptable positions you as a forward-thinking leader. ??

Being strategic with networking is getting yourself in the right rooms with the right people. If you need to be in front of COOs but you constantly put yourself in rooms with CFOs, that’s not an effective use of your time. Start further back and figure out what the right rooms are that you need to be in and get yourself in those rooms.

La red de contactos no es un mero ejercicio social; es una extensión de la visión de liderazgo y un reflejo del propósito que nos impulsa. Comparto cinco claves para tejer una red que no solo sea amplia, sino eficaz y genuina: 1. Claridad de Propósito: Entender el ‘por qué’ detrás de cada conexión potencia la calidad y profundidad de nuestras redes 2. Autenticidad y Curiosidad: Las relaciones más sólidas surgen de la autenticidad y un genuino interés por el otro 3. Aporte de Valor: La red de contactos es una calle de doble sentido 4. Estrategia y Adaptabilidad: Dise?ar un plan de networking con metas claras y revisarlo periódicamente 5. Evaluación y Flexibilidad: Monitorear el progreso y estar dispuestos a hacer ajustes es esencial

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Plan and adapt as you track your method's effectiveness. Monitoring and tracking your networking efforts while tracking connection success rates and reporting on any trailing metrics. These would be others looking to network with you, profile views, search results, post impressions and article views all can contribute to your overall strategy and how it grows.

Authentic networking involves approaching relationships with sincerity and not solely for selfish motives. Building connections based on genuine interest, and a willingness to help others without a personal agenda can lead to more meaningful and lasting professional relationships. This approach fosters trust and credibility, making your network more resilient in the long run. While some individuals may engage in networking primarily for personal gain, the most effective and sustainable networks are often built on genuine connections. By focusing on building relationships rather than seeking personal benefits, you create a foundation of trust and goodwill. People are more likely to support those they trust.

Create an open listening channel In today’s world every one wants to speak, tell & tell more. There are very few who like to listen actively, patiently. So the best way to differentiate & network with the team is to listen. Listening prima facie sounds passive, boring. Infact it’s lots more engaging, enriching. Once you have positioned yourself as an active, empathetic listener, you will have a bee line of team members waiting to connect, get your time. Good example is Father / Priest in place of worship. While they offer confession services, people used to reach out to them as they were pretty good listeners, offered valuable advice based on their listening skills & experience. Of course you don’t have to become a priest to do this!!

Expand the diversity of your professional network by connecting with individuals from various backgrounds and industries. Engaging with people who offer distinct perspectives not only enriches your network but also opens doors to innovative opportunities and insights. Cultivating a broad circle of professionals enhances your adaptability in the ever-evolving professional landscape. A diverse network not only fosters creativity but also promotes inclusivity, enabling you to tap into a wide range of experiences and expertise. Embracing diversity in your connections can lead to a more dynamic and resilient network, providing valuable support and resources for your ongoing personal and professional development.

Part of being adaptable is expanding your definition of “us”. Who is on “your team”? Who are “your people”? What if you expand those definitions 10x? Ultimately we all want to feel a sense of belonging. What if you can generate that for people that don’t often feel it right now? One of the most painful moments for me as an introvert is being the new guy in a big group of people. I need that first break through when someone lets me into their group and then I am off to the races but I’m all kinds of nervous and uncomfortable trying to get that first breakthrough. Due to this, I’m more sensitive to people standing near “our group”. If they are standing there, they are likely hoping for an invitation to the conversation. Let ‘em in!

Effectively networking while leading a team involves fostering open communication within the team, actively participating in industry events, and cultivating relationships with peers and mentors. Encourage team members to connect with their networks, share insights, and collaborate with professionals in relevant fields. Attend conferences, seminars, and networking events to expand your own connections and stay informed about industry trends. Prioritize relationship-building by being approachable, engaging in meaningful conversations, and demonstrating genuine interest in others' perspectives.