Episode 3: Building Resilience Through Your Network: Unlocking Opportunities for Success

Welcome back to another episode of "Gabe's Fundamentals of Resilience." In the previous episodes, we explored the transformative power of mindset and the essence of discipline in our journey towards resilience. And guess what? Today, we venture into the world of networking and its profound impact on building resilience.

Resilience is not a solitary journey. It's a path paved with connections, experiences, and opportunities. Your personal and professional network acts as a bridge, allowing you to persevere.

I distinctly remember back during my final year of university, I attended events in the City of London, even during exam periods. Some of my peers thought I was crazy, but this created an opportunity for me to secure employment immediately after graduating with my LLB Law degree. It felt impossible to break into the city because of several factors such as not having perfect GCSE grades or not going to a Russell Group University. But I always knew that if only I could be around the right people at firms in the city, an opportunity might come up.

I remember Amaka Oniovosa being a big supporter during those early days and I appreciate her words of encouragement as they motivated me to keep going. This taught me that hard work is directly proportional to luck, and I learned that my network was not just a collection of contacts but a web of support and inspiration.

Your network, like mine, can be the master key to success.

Strategies to Build Resilience Through Networking:

1. Building Authentic Connections & Engaging Consistently

In the corporate world, relationships are currency. The connections you build can open you up to new opportunities, collaborations, and invaluable advice. Approach networking with a mindset of giving and receiving. Offer your expertise and assistance to others, and you'll find it reciprocated.

My journey into finance taught me that authentic relationships were my most significant asset. Building trust and rapport with colleagues, mentors, and peers allowed me to navigate challenges and seize opportunities I couldn't have done alone.

It is vital to also bear in mind that maintaining your network is an ongoing effort that requires consistent dedication. Don't let valuable connections fade away - Actively engage by attending industry events, joining professional associations, and staying in touch with your contacts. A survey by Zippia revealed that despite the undeniable importance of networking, a mere 48% of individuals report that they maintain regular contact with their network, showcasing the need for a more persistent and proactive approach to harness the full potential of your professional connections.

1. Leveraging Mentorship & Diverse Networking

Mentorship, another cornerstone of resilience, is having someone who has walked the path you're on and is willing to guide you through the rough patches. Whether in finance, law, or any field you find yourself in, seek out mentors who can provide guidance, insights, and support which can be a valuable resource on your career journey.

Enthusiasm and genuine intentions play a key role in building mentorship relationships. Reflecting on 2017 when I first learned of a career in Commercial Law. I became obsessed with learning as much as I could about what it takes to obtain a Training Contract, which brought about my trip to San Francisco where I shared my passion for a career in Commercial Law with some new connections I made. This birthed some introductions back in London to a 贝克?麦坚时 partner who became my first official mentor. He helped me navigate the journey to building my commercial awareness and presentation skills.

I always emphasise the importance of not being transactional in the journey to finding mentors. By having a genuine passion for learning more about the mentors, you can forge meaningful relationships.

Diversity in your network is also vital and not just a choice; it's an essential component of resilience. Exposure to diverse perspectives and backgrounds acts like a multi-tool in your problem-solving kit, broadening your understanding and equipping you to face a variety of challenges.

The opportunity to consistently meet and speak to various impressive mentors has shaped my ability to think strategically in making decisions and crafting solutions to problems. Hence, I’m an advocate for continuous learning and development as networking with different people helps in yielding diverse perspectives and ideas. Whenever I attend events, I always try to speak to new people whom I have never met before, and this has helped me to make new friends and learn life-changing insights.

Expand your network to include individuals from different backgrounds and industries, and you’ll find that the broader your network, the more versatile your problem-solving skills are.

1. Networking for Career Advancement

Your network can positively impact your career advancement. Research conducted by Zippia emphasises its profound significance - 79% of professionals affirm that networking plays a pivotal role in their career progression. This spotlights the influential role networking can play in shaping your professional journey.

Remember, success isn't achieved in isolation; it's a collective effort. Networking can be your key to unlocking a world of opportunities, as I discussed with Jack R Hopper in my recent appearance on the Stanbrook Consulting "Finance, Energy & Beyond" podcast. The benefit of having a broad network is especially crucial when you require support and your closer contacts choose to neglect you, this provides you with the resilience to persevere!

Join me in the next episode, where we'll continue to unravel inspiring stories and life-changing insights. And don't forget to hit that subscribe button to stay connected to Gabe’s Fundamentals of Resilience.