How to Build Your Professional Network On a Solid Foundation

Like anything you might want to build, you have to start with the right foundation. Building your network is no different. In this article, we’ll explore the fundamental principles that form the bedrock of an effective professional network.

Embrace The “Give First” Mentality

“My Golden Rule of Networking is simple: Don’t keep score.” — Harvey Mackay

At the heart of successful relationship building lies a simple yet powerful principle: We need to be givers, not just takers. This approach, often referred to as the “Give First” mentality, is about focusing on how you can contribute to others rather than simply what you can gain from them.

When you approach networking with a genuine desire to help others, you create a foundation of goodwill and reciprocity that can lead to long-lasting, meaningful relationships.

Here are some ways you can embody the “Give First” mentality:

1. Offer your expertise: Share your knowledge and skills freely with those who could benefit from them.
2. Make introductions: Connect people in your network who could benefit from knowing each other.
3. Provide resources: Share articles, books, or tools that could be helpful to others.
4. Volunteer your time: Offer to help with projects or initiatives that align with your skills and interests.
5. Show genuine interest: Take the time to understand others’ goals and challenges, and look for ways to support them.
6. Follow through: When you connect with someone and they give you insights or advice, follow up and let them know what you’ve done with what they shared. This validates the time they invested in you.

One of my mentors, Richie Norton, describes this approach as “Mission Matching.” He says this :

“Mission Matching requires you to ask for things that create synergistic congruence between missions. In other words, Mission Matching means that whatever you’re asking, the proposition needs to be executed in a way that is mutually, rather than exclusively, beneficial. You’re not just going to ask and receive; your aim is to ask, receive, and contribute as well.”

Remember, being a “giver” doesn’t mean depleting yourself or being taken advantage of. It’s about having an orientation of mutual support and generosity within your professional network.

Develop a Growth Mindset for Networking

Networking, like any skill, can be developed and improved over time. Adopting a growth mindset – the belief that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work – is crucial for becoming a better networker.

One great strategy is to use the power of the word “yet,” explained clearly in a TED talk by Carol Dweck . If you have a tendency to say “I’m not good at [insert thing]” then you can open your mind to the possibility of improvement by adding the word “yet” at the end of the sentence. This small change can open up your mind to the possibility of improvement.

This strategy was useful for one of my clients, Ahmad. He was an experienced mechanical engineer but decided he wanted to lean into robotics. As such, he completed a rigorous Master’s in Robotics while still working full-time at a top startup.

But when we met, he was more than six months past his graduation and didn’t feel like he had made any progress towards moving his career into a robotics role. There wasn’t a great option at his current organization, and he was having a hard time connecting with others in the industry.

“I’m not good at networking,” he told me.

“Yet,” I said. “You’re not good at networking…yet. But you can be.”

“Okay, let’s do it.”

That’s what I like to hear!

He put some significant work and practice into it, and within a couple of months, he had gone from having zero interviews to having eight interviews in one week, mostly because he was networking with people in companies that were doing things he was excited about.

Not bad for someone who wasn’t good at networking…yet!

Here are some additional ways you can cultivate a growth mindset for networking:

1. Embrace challenges: See networking opportunities as chances to grow, not threats to avoid.
2. Learn from criticism: Use feedback to improve your networking skills.
3. Find lessons in others’ success: Study effective networkers and learn from their strategies.
4. Persist in the face of setbacks: Don’t let rejections or awkward interactions discourage you.
5. Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small.

Your mindset drives your behaviors, and your behaviors drive your results, so your beliefs about yourself and the challenges and opportunities you face have a huge impact on how you approach networking and really everything in your life!

Show Authenticity and Genuine Interest in Others

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” – Dale Carnegie

“To be interesting, be interested.” – Dale Carnegie

Effective networking isn’t about putting on a facade or pretending to be someone you’re not. Authenticity is key to building trust and forming genuine connections. When you’re true to yourself and your values, you attract like-minded individuals and create more meaningful relationships.

So as the quotes from Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends and Influence People suggests, show interest in people instead of just focusing on what you want or need! Care about what they care about, consider their needs and challenges, and get curious about them!

Here are some ways to demonstrate authentic interest in others:

1. Ask thoughtful questions: Go beyond surface-level small talk and ask questions that show you’re genuinely curious about the other person.
2. Practice active listening: Focus on understanding, not just waiting for your turn to speak.
3. Remember details: Follow up on things people have shared with you in previous conversations.
4. Seek to understand their perspective: Try to see things from their point of view, even if you disagree.
5. Show empathy: Acknowledge and validate others’ feelings and experiences.

Doing these things can make the difference between a one-time conversation and a true, meaningful relationship.

Building Trust and Credibility in Professional Relationships

Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, including professional ones. Without trust, not much good happens. Building trust can take time and consistent effort, but it’s essential for creating a network that can support you throughout your career.

Here are some key ways to build trust and credibility with those you meet and know:

1. Be reliable: Follow through on your commitments and promises.
2. Maintain confidentiality: Respect private information shared with you.
3. Be consistent: Ensure your words and actions align.
4. Admit mistakes: Take responsibility for your errors and learn from them.
5. Be transparent: Be open about your intentions and motivations.
6. Demonstrate competence: Continuously develop your skills and knowledge.
7. Show vulnerability: Be willing to ask for help when you need it.

Remember, trust is earned over time through consistent actions. It’s not about grand gestures, but rather the accumulation of small, trustworthy behaviors.

You don’t get to decide if you are trusted. Others do. But you can give them good reasons to trust you by how you treat them!

Take Intentional Action

Why are you wanting to expand and deepen your network? A solid answer can make sure that your orientation and mindset toward this endeavor is in a good place.

To help you, consider reflecting and journaling on questions such as:

• What is the purpose of networking for me?
• How can I be more of a giver in my existing relationships?
• Am I showing up as authentic and genuinely interested in other people?
• Do I believe I can be a great networker? If not, why not? If so, how can I continue to improve?
• Am I acting in a way that others are likely to trust me? How can I gain more trust in those I interact with?

These and similar questions can help you determine where you are, and where you can improve as you become an intentional networker!

Accelerate Your Progress

This newsletter is an adapted excerpt from my upcoming book, The Intentional Career Guide to Professional Networking. I plan to get it out in the coming weeks!

If you are interested in being an early reader and becoming part of the “Book Army” to help it launch as well as the rest of the Intentional Career Guide series, sign up at https://www.intentionalcareerguide.com/bookarmy .