How to Develop, Expand & Utilize Your Networks & Relationships

In today’s society and ever-changing job market, it is crucial to nurture your networks and relationships to build a resourceful community. By leveraging your networks, you can tap into a wealth of opportunities to accelerate your career trajectory, and provide fulfillment both personally and professionally. Networks provide access to a wide range of resources, including expertise, knowledge and support. It’s essential to nurture these valuable relationships within your network, so that you can thoughtfully and intentionally utilize these resources for the benefit of you and others. Building relationships within your community, industry and other networks increases your visibility and helps establish your reputation as a knowledgeable and trustworthy professional. This can lead to more opportunities and recognition within your field. Rising Leaders, take this to heart: your networks provide sources of diverse connections—from professionals in your field to potential collaborators, employees, mentors, future customers, and partnerships. Networking is not just about seeking to gain for your own benefit; it's also about what you give to enrich the lives and success of others. By cultivating authentic relationships and helping others, you contribute to a culture of reciprocity.

In this month’s newsletter I focus on the powerful impact – both personally and professionally – of cultivating strong networks and relationships. You’ll learn valuable tools that will help you further expand and develop your networks in the following ways:

1. How to Develop and Expand Your Professional Network
2. Understand Your Strategic Networking Types
3. Essential Networking Tools

How to Develop and Expand Your Professional Network

A robust network is perhaps THE most powerful tool you can possess as a leader. It’s often a tool overlooked by mid-to-senior management. Key actions that support building, leveraging and nurturing your networks are essential for professional success and personal fulfillment. Expanding and growing your network takes time; it’s not an overnight process. Cultivating authentic, genuine relationships is the secret sauce to building and maintaining a robust network. Building relationships is an essential practice that expands your network, increasing the likelihood of encountering new opportunities, whether it's job opportunities, partnerships, collaborations or friendships. According to Harvard Business School Online, ‘How Leaders Develop and Use Their Network,’ “An effective leader understands that networking is important. As such, building, maintaining, and interacting with your professional network should be a key component of any leadership development plan.” Listed below are three key strategies to develop your professional network:

1. Start Within Your Organization - Whether youre a current or aspiring leader, taking the time to build connections within your company gives you greater visibility and can open the door to many opportunities. When a new role opens, people then think of you to be put on a short list of candidates.
2. Leverage Professional Associations, Conferences, and Events - When it comes to building a robust network of external connections, professionals have many opportunities to connect with others in their industry. Professional associations, conferences, tradeshows, meetup etc. The best way to gain visibility and build your network is to literally be seen at these events: be on a panel, host an informal networking social hour, offer to speak on a trend you see in your industry. In other words, do more than just show up – show your rising leadership!
3. Become a Mentor - The mentor-mentee relationship is a powerful one which, when maintained appropriately, can last for decades. You’re never too young or too old to be a mentor to others, because you always have something to share! These days, individuals do not typically stay at the same organization for their entire careers. This means that a mentor might train and build relationships with many individuals who eventually go on to work in a range of positions at a variety of organizations—creating a robust network of ambassadors who represent the mentor’s brand.

As you embark on your networking journey I encourage you to try implementing one or all of these strategies to further build your professional network. Click here to read the article in its entirety.

Understand Your Strategic Networking Types

According to Forbes, ‘How Leaders Strategically Enhance Their Networks For Maximum Impact,’

“A comprehensive understanding and strategic planning of your?network can substantially boost its effectiveness , tailoring it to align with your career's evolving trajectory and objectives.”

Herminia Ibarra, a professor of organizational behavior at London Business School, emphasizes the importance of understanding and strategically developing one's network, encompassing three types:?operational, personal, and strategic .?Read on to learn more about the three types of networks and how you can tap into each one to support your career growth and help you rise in your career. Click here to read the full article.

1. Operational Networks : These networks are composed of individuals who play a role in your day-to-day professional activities. Members of an operational network typically include colleagues, direct reports, and other internal contacts who are integral to your current job responsibilities. This network is crucial for efficiently accomplishing routine tasks and maintaining smooth operational workflows. It's about having a reliable group that can assist with immediate, task-oriented needs, ensuring the effective execution of daily functions.
2. Personal Networks:?This network type extends beyond the confines of your immediate workplace. Personal networks comprise individuals who share similar interests or career paths, offering a platform for personal and professional growth outside of your organizational structure. These connections might include mentors, peers from different industries, alumni from educational institutions, or professionals met at conferences. Personal networks are invaluable for providing fresh perspectives, advice, guidance, and support in your broader career journey. They often serve as a sounding board for new ideas and can offer insights into industry trends, career opportunities, and personal development.
3. Strategic Networks :?These encompass connections that extend beyond your direct operational sphere and are essential for long-term career success and organizational impact. A strategic network includes individuals who can provide insights into industry movements, emerging trends, and new business opportunities. These could be senior leaders, influencers in your industry, potential clients, or other high-level professionals who can help you align with key organizational objectives and advance your career. Mastering strategic networking involves actively seeking and maintaining relationships with individuals who can open doors to new opportunities, offer strategic advice, and help you leverage these opportunities for success. Engaging regularly with this network requires a proactive approach, where you not only establish these connections but also nurture them to foster mutual benefit and growth.

Essential Networking Tools

There are tools and resources that can help you expand your networks as well. Two of the more powerful networking resources that I have used in my own business to further grow my network and relationships are the Leader Network Diagnostic and The NetworkSage by Glenna Crooks.

1. Leader Network Diagnostic – This is an assessment that I have my own clients take to provide them with powerful insights about their network. Through the analysis and debrief with my colleague Dr. Donna Chrobot-Mason, they learn what’s working and how they can improve and further grow their network. Network Leader Diagnostic can be taken digitally by anyone, and I recommend it because it provides organizations and individuals with unique analysis about potential traps in your networks and key insights to help you strengthen, leverage, and utilize your network more effectively. You can learn more about this incredible tool by clicking here .
2. The Networksage: Realize Your Network Superpower - This book by PhD Glenna Crooks helped me realize how my networks were far too open, requiring too much energy and support to maintain, and how I could make intentional changes to delegate more and leverage fewer people to benefit myself both professionally and personally. The author introduces a key concept: how you live life supported by eight network groups--a family network, a health and vitality network, a social and community network, and a career network, and more. The book also highlights how you support other people as part of their networks. When you read the book, be sure to learn about ACTSage, a three-step process to help you become aware of your connections, gain clarity about your needs, and transform your life.?You can buy her impactful book by clicking here .

Remember as Rising Leaders your relationships and networks provide access to a wide range of opportunities, resources and support that will help you continue to grow and realize your full potential. Networking exposes you to different experiences, ideas, mindsets and perspectives, that will help you grow in your leadership capabilities. I encourage you to utilize your valuable networks, and make it a priority to further expand them this month.

In partnership as you rise,

Erin

Erin Owen, MBA, MCC (she/her/hers)

Executive and Leadership Coach

Website:?https://erinowen.com

LinkedIn:?https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/erinowen/