Networking or nah? The hidden costs of resisting change

Earlier this week, I offered no-frills pointers on establishing a professional network that best serves your needs. Today, we’ll explore how to maximize your network’s potential in the digital age.

A previous client, a highly talented graphic designer, faced a harsh reality after years of minimal career progression: her exceptional skills alone weren't enough to access the opportunities she deserved. Despite an impressive portfolio, she was overshadowed by peers who actively engaged in networking and relationship-building within the industry. It took a candid conversation with a successful colleague to recognize her oversight. She underestimated the power of visibility and connections. Motivated by this insight, she shifted gears, immersing herself in industry events, online forums, and community projects.

This strategic pivot showcased her talent and expanded her professional network, gradually opening doors to opportunities that had once seemed out of reach. By embracing networking, she broadened her professional circle, enriched her career with genuine connections, enhanced her skills through shared knowledge, and repositioned herself as an integral part of the creative ecosystem.

Bottom line: An underdeveloped network (1) robs you of genuine human connection, (2) hamstrings expertise development, and (3) risks short-changing you as transactional or opportunistic instead of as a vibrant contributor to your professional ecosystem.

It may take a little time to assemble your crew, so........ Step back from your social media accounts and professional obligations and ask yourself if your digital persona matches your guiding principles and professional goals.

Networking effectively is nuanced, but the following strategies can help you build a support system that nurtures and supports your professional pursuits.

1. Identify your network’s purpose. This can be tricky for people who wear multiple hats, but zeroing in on a primary focus (e.g., client expansion, job opportunities, expertise development, mentorship, etc.) can help you establish a baseline tone for the voices and insights you welcome to your fold.
2. Develop a robust online presence. Be clear and concise across digital platforms when communicating your professional accomplishments and goals. Potential new connections will do their homework before joining your network, and inconsistent profiles, questionable photos, or off-hand responses to industry trends will raise eyebrows. Conversely, a lack of a professional online presence – no matter how simple – signals a severe disconnect with the digital world you’re seeking to engage with. It may dissuade potential connections from investing time and energy if they don’t see a return on investment.
3. Cultivate meaningful connections. Quality reigns over quantity in the professional digital space. This means investing time in nurturing the relationships you forge instead of treating them like a piggy bank you raid every time you feel professionally drained. Practice empathy, paying particular attention to developing listening and critical-thinking skills that make you a more effective collaborator.
4. Have a plan. Proactively identify collaborative opportunities that allow you to maximize your value. Always know what you bring and how you can best contribute.
5. Recruit connections outside your comfort zone. Diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences make us better leaders and collaborators. Your network should support you rather than in a vacuum. Diverse perspectives help us avoid stagnation in our thinking.
6. Be patient but persistent. Building a network that best serves your needs will take time, and that’s okay. Have you experienced a swing-and-miss reaching out to your dream mentor? Reevaluate your plan, determine your value to the relationship, and try again.
7. Stay true to yourself. Authenticity is your most vital asset in the professional networking world. If you look up one day and the people in your network no longer share your guiding principles, find new people.

How do you measure the strength of your professional network?