G.R.O.W. Your Network

The Simple Acronym for Professional Success

Hello! Welcome to the newsletter - “Leadership for Maximum Impact." In this weekly series, we aim to empower you with insights, strategies, and inspiration to enhance your leadership skills, enabling you to transform your professional and personal life.

The essence of growing your impact lies in our commitment to making a more meaningful and positive contribution to the people, organizations, and causes we value, fostering broader and lasting results.

Created by Jenny Fernandez, M.B.A. , a Leadership and Organizational Coach, Brand Consultant, and Advisor. She is also a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes . Jenny helps leaders and organizations create work cultures that foster collaboration, innovation, and resilience.

I invite you to join me on this journey to design your vision, cultivate your leadership, and amplify your impact to new heights. Together, let's embark on a path of growth and empowerment.

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“Your network is your net worth." - Porter Gale

We advance in our careers by relying on our capabilities AND network. Reframing your understanding of what it takes to win is essential. Research states that a well-structured network is a social capital that will help you get promoted. Think of your network as a source to amplify your current capabilities and develop new ones. So, building a network is key to your career success and getting ahead faster.?

To build your network, use this simple but powerful acronym – G.R.O.W.?

This topic will be a 4-part newsletter focusing on each aspect of the G.R.O.W Model.

(G)et Out of Your Comfort Zone?

Your network is likely small and homogenous if you congregate with people with similar backgrounds, values, and experiences. You need a diverse and expansive network to grow your reach and gain access to new knowledge, opportunities, and experiences.

A labor survey showed people hold an average of 12.3 jobs in their lifetime, which is increasing with Millennials and Gen Z . So, to give yourself more opportunities, you must expand your network NOW.

Networking isn't about collecting business cards or increasing LinkedIn connections or social media followers. It's about fostering genuine relationships that can help you advance in your career.

Here are some tips to maximize your networking efforts:

• Set Clear Goals: Before you dive into expanding your network, take some time to define your objectives. Are you looking for mentorship, career opportunities, or industry insights? Having clear goals will guide your networking efforts and make them more effective.
• Be Authentic: Authenticity is critical to building meaningful connections. Instead of focusing solely on what others can do for you, approach networking with a genuine interest in getting to know people and learning from their experiences.
• Give Before You Get: Networking is a two-way street. Offer your help, support, or expertise to others before asking for anything in return. This creates a reciprocal relationship and fosters goodwill within your network.
• Follow-Up: After meeting someone new, follow up with a personalized message or email. Express your gratitude for their time and reiterate your interest in staying connected. This simple gesture can go a long way in solidifying new connections.
• Stay Engaged: Building a network isn't a one-time task. It requires ongoing effort, and most people drop the ball here. Stay engaged with your contacts by regularly checking in, sharing relevant articles or resources, and attending industry events or networking gatherings.?

Coach’s Advice of the Week:

• Establishing an effective outreach strategy is crucial to expanding your network and fostering valuable connections. Begin by determining the number of connections you aim to reach out to each week. Remember the adage, "What you measure, gets managed (aka. done)."
• For example, externally, platforms like LinkedIn provide a powerful tool for outreach. Did you know that you can send up to 200 LinkedIn connection requests every week?
• Identify specific areas within your network that you wish to expand. Consider exploring adjacencies in your professional focus, interests, and hobbies to pinpoint individuals and areas from which you can learn. Utilize this criteria to guide your outreach efforts.
• For example, internally, seek guidance from your boss or mentor to identify where to begin. For instance, consider reaching out to colleagues from intersecting departments such as Sales, Marketing, or Finance. Schedule monthly “Meet & Greets” meetings with different individuals in the organization.

Start with a simple email:

“Hi <First Name>,?

Nice to e-meet you! My name is <enter First and Last Name>. I work as a <enter title> in the <enter function> department. I'm eager to connect with you and gain insights from your experiences, as you come highly recommended.?

I would like to schedule a 20-minute informal meeting at your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!

Regards,?

<Your Name>”

These conversations will not only enhance your knowledge and broaden your perspective but also facilitate the development of meaningful relationships that can positively impact your career trajectory.

Resources Of The Week:

Books:

• "How to Win Friends and Influence People " by Dale Carnegie
• "Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success " by Adam Grant
• "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion " by Robert Cialdini

Thought Leaders:

• Keith Ferrazzi is a renowned author, speaker, and expert on professional relationship-building and networking.
• Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist and author known for his work on reciprocity and networking dynamics.
• Dorie Clark is an author and marketing strategist who emphasizes personal branding and networking for career success.
• Jenny Fernandez is a leadership coach and branding strategist focusing on unlocking career and entrepreneurial success.

Podcasts:

• WorkLife with Adam Grant : You spend a quarter of your life at work. You should enjoy it! Organizational psychologist Adam Grant takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to discover the keys to a better work life.

Sneak Peek into My Plan:

LinkedIn Outreach

• Goal: Connect with professionals in my field, key growth industries, and areas of interest.
• Frequency: Send out connection requests to at least 20 new contacts weekly.
• Strategy: Personalize each connection request message to establish rapport and express genuine interest in their work or expertise.

Workshops, Webinars, and Conferences

• Goal: Expand my professional network by meeting individuals virtually and in person and participating in industry-related discussions.
• Frequency: Attend at least one conference a quarter and host or participate in one workshop or webinar per quarter.
• Strategy: Prioritize events relevant to leadership topics and my industry focus.

Follow-up and Relationship Maintenance

• Goal: Nurture existing connections and build relationships over time.
• Frequency: Follow up with new contacts within two days after initial interaction. Maintain regular communication with key connections through periodic check-ins and updates.
• Strategy: Send personalized follow-up emails or LinkedIn messages. Stay engaged by sharing relevant articles, insights, or opportunities that may interest them.

About the Author.

Jenny Fernandez is a nationally recognized Leadership Coach, Advisor, and Brand Consultant helping to develop resilient leaders to achieve their goals and scale their impact through branding, collaborations, and innovative thinking to drive accelerated and transformative growth. She works with executives and teams in high-growth companies, medium-sized businesses, and scaling start-ups. She also focuses on working with women CEO/Founders, high-potential/rising leaders, and diverse talent.

Jenny has been awarded “LinkedIn Top Voice in Executive Coaching, Personal Branding, Leadership Development, and Entrepreneurship,” Top 30 Management Thinkers in the World to Watch - Thinkers50 Radar 2024 , and Top 30 Global Gurus for Brand . She was invited to join Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches Community and Agency, the world’s #1 Executive Coach and Leadership Thinker. This recognition is given to the world’s top leadership/executive coaches and thought leaders.

She is a contributing author in Leadership and Branding at Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes . She has been interviewed by The Washington Post and HuffPost about Gen Z and the Future of Work. Jenny’s professional journey brings together an understanding of the skills needed to run a fast-moving, emerging startup, decades of industry experience in partnering and team building, investor acumen, real-world business savvy, and a dedication to helping future leaders grow their companies.

She trained at Kellogg School of Management, where she received her MBA. She is a Columbia and New York University adjunct professor, teaching Next Gen leaders in Leadership, Branding, and Marketing.

What's Next? Stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we'll go deeper into leadership principles, success stories, and actionable insights to scale your leadership and fuel your professional growth. Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, or topics you'd like us to cover in future newsletters. Let's embark on this journey of growth together!

Remember, the path to leadership is a continuous journey. Let's make 2024 a year of immense growth, success, and positive impact.

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