How to Cultivate a Network That Grows With You

Your network isn’t just about who you know. It’s about who knows what you know, and how they help you achieve your goals. Whether you have a robust resume or just starting your career, an intentional and thriving network is essential if you want to progress and find the right opportunities that fulfill you.

For me, there are 5 key areas that help me build genuine and authentic connections while making the biggest impact.

1. Build Your “Personal Board of Directors”

Thanks to a great mentor years ago, I learned that it's best to be really intentional about your networking, otherwise you're just getting to know people. While that's nice, there's potentially more strategic ways to spend your time.

Think of it this way. You want to build a team of advisors, each playing a critical role in guiding your professional growth. Just like organizations have a board of directors to help them steer the strategy, you should have a personal board of directors for the same reason.

If you need a template for this, no sweat - I created one for you. You can download it for free here on Google Sheets.

Here's a brief descriptions of the roles:

• Sponsor/Advocate: Someone who speaks on your behalf and connects you to opportunities. This should be someone highly visible with great credibility. Look a few levels above where you are today and find someone there.
• Mentor: A trusted guide who shares wisdom, offers advice, and helps you navigate challenges. When meeting with a mentor, come to those meetings with questions and make sure if they give you homework - you do it on time and thoughtfully. Mentors are so important and often see potential in ways you may not have seen before.
• Peer: A colleague at a similar career stage for shared experiences and mutual learning. You should be able to vent safely to a peer, share frustrations, feel relaxed. This could be your "bestie at work" or even someone at a different organization. The key is that they should be in a similar place as you, but offer different perspectives.
• Coach: A motivator who pushes you to achieve your goals through honest feedback and accountability. This person should be someone that you are comfortable with, but also won't cut you any slack.
• Consultant/Specialist: This is designed to be a little more flexible, someone who is there to help you with shorter term goals. It could be a subject matter expert, such as an enthusiast, instructor, or industry leader in skills aligning with your professional development goals in IQ, EQ, or AQ. Need help identifying some of those areas? Check out my article Unlocking Success as an Analyst: Building Your “Q” Skills for more on that.

Don't worry about having more than one director and some backup "candidates" (as outlined in the template) - these positions will change over time and should be reevaluated regularly for maximum effectiveness.

2. Focus on Meaningful Connections

After building your Personal Board of Directors, you should still keep networking with others. But it shouldn't be just adding people as connections on LinkedIn; it’s about building meaningful connections.

Here are some ways to foster authentic relationships:

• Start with Shared Interests: Connect with people who inspire you or share your professional interests.
• Follow Up and Stay in Touch: A quick note or sharing an article can keep relationships alive over time. Offer to meet virtually or grab a coffee if they live in your area or if you're traveling near them.
• Respect Their Time: Make sure you're not just connecting to connect. Make sure you bring at least 1 question or valuable thing to discuss in case the conversation doesn't just take off in a direction. Offer time back if you don't have much to talk about past that.
• Offer Help First: Helping others, whether through introductions or advice, creates goodwill and strengthens bonds.
• Consider the Emotional Bank Account Philosophy: You need to make deposits before you make withdrawals.

The strongest networks are built on trust, mutual respect, and shared growth.

3. Leverage Online Communities and Platforms

Networking in the digital age is about more than just attending events. Online communities offer opportunities to connect with professionals who understand your challenges and experiences.

The list below is focused for my typical audience, but the idea is the same across other professions.

• LinkedIn Groups: Join communities like GOATs (Global Organization for Analysts' Transformation) to exchange ideas, share insights, and grow together. Introduce yourself and participate actively. Engagement builds visibility.
• Specialized Forums: Reddit communities like r/DataAnalyst or r/Analytics are great for learning and collaboration. Find others in my Comprehensive Analyst's Guide to Career Resources.
• Professional Associations: Organizations like IIBA or ADASCI can open doors to new mentors and peers. What organizations exist in your profession?

Remember, networking is a two-way street. Contribute value by answering questions, sharing resources, and supporting others.

4. Adopt a Growth Mindset

As your career evolves, so should your network. Embrace curiosity and courage. Seek out new perspectives and be open to learning from others’ experiences.

Each person you connect with adds a unique layer to your network. With every conversation, you gain insight that expands your understanding and possibilities.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to be Uncomfortable

Networking can feel intimidating, especially when reaching out to someone influential. But growth happens when you take risks.

Start small:

• Send a LinkedIn connection request with a personalized note.
• Ask someone for a virtual coffee chat.
• Join discussions in an online forum. Be supportive and authentic, and you'll usually be met with the same energy!

Remember, every step out of your comfort zone strengthens your network and your confidence.

If you need a little help or inspo on this check out my article: Do the Scary Things: Embracing Risk, Change, and Growth.

What's Next?

Building a network that grows with you takes time and intention. Start by reaching out to one person today. It may be a mentor you admire, a peer in your field, or someone you’d like to learn from.

Your future self will thank you for the effort, and doing just a little bit every day will make an enormous difference in a week, a month, and a year from now.

What strategies have worked for you in building your network? Share your insights in the comments!