Breaking the Networking Barrier

What advice would I give to my 24-year-old self who had just started off her career?

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There is much that I have to say to her :) but the simplest and most career enhancing advise I would give to my younger version would be about networking. When I started off in my career, I shunned ‘networking’ as being too self-promoting and embarrassing and never found time for it. As I moved from one organization to another, I was given valuable counsel by my seniors who wanted me to be more ‘organizationally aware’. I shunned this as HR mumbo-jumbo and believed passionately that my work would speak for itself and doors would open themselves automatically. And to be honest, early in my career, I could get away with just enough networking to keep me aware of my immediate stakeholders’ interests.

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However, it was when I ventured out as an entrepreneur that I realized the power of networking - how it opened up doors and channels, if used with tact and honesty. And also, how the lack of it, acted as a significant barrier in my organization’s growth. I am a wiser woman now; but I wish I had got the right understanding of networking at a much younger age. Let me share my learnings here for other women (and men) who struggle with networking. I am specifically focused on women here because lack of networking is an oft stated reason for women hitting the glass ceiling.

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I have been fortunate to meet quite a few women leaders who have broken networking barriers and have made their way to the top and here is what I have learnt.

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Firstly, start with the right mindset. Be open to connections and opportunities to have authentic conversations. Do not view ‘networking events’ as a waste of time or an old boys club where you would feel out of place. If you start with a mindset of exclusion, you will most likely feel it (even if it’s not there). I remember excluding myself out of conferences/ events where I assumed I would be out of place but when I did push myself to attend them, realized that the barrier existed in my head.

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Once the mindset issue is taken care of, prioritize networking. Most women leaders I know are anyway good at prioritization – pruning inessential meetings, having efficient email management systems, good delegation skills etc. They excuse themselves from networking opportunities because they do not prioritize them, not because of a lack of time. If you can find time for every other responsibility on earth (including parenting, caring for elderly parents, cooking, travel etc), why not networking?

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Expand the definition of networking – networking is not restricted to events and social media groups. You could be presented with some effective networking openings while dropping kids to school or while waiting in the client office or while on a holiday. Grab these opportunities rather than shying away from them. For this to happen, you will need to expand your conversations, talk about your interests across multiple domains and hear about the same from others.

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Finally, use your inherent ability to engage with others, listen, make others feel comfortable and indulge in small acts of kindness to be a better networker. Ironic as it may sound, networking is not about self-promotion and business furthering. It is actually about helping others with competence and seeking help from those who are competent. This knack comes pretty naturally to women. Remember the times that you have been able to find the best help to take care of your children or parents or give the most important relationship advice to your siblings? The same kind of emotional intelligence and trust-building gestures are what distinguishes a network builder from a business card sharing machine.

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I want to conclude this article by saying that I truly believe that women are much more naturally gifted when it comes to networking. For some reason, a lot of us build our own notions and biases and hold ourselves back. Be comfortable in your skin, smile, use humour and presence to build connections. That all that networking is.