Networking for Success in your Professional and Personal Life

November 2024: Volume 2, Issue 11

Dear friends and colleagues,

At Saddler Consulting Group, we see networking as a valuable platform for personal and professional growth. ?It’s an exciting opportunity to connect in-person with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. ?We recognize that networking can be anxiety inducing to a broad spectrum of people, from seasoned professionals, to those just starting out in their work life. ? Many see networking as an obligation or a chore on top of their already busy workdays. ?

Let’s reframe this notion: ?Let's use NETWORKING AS AN OPPORTUNITY ?to engage with a variety of people, each offering unique insights and experiences. By embracing interactions with individuals who have different mindsets and viewpoints, we can expand our own perspectives and foster meaningful connections that can lead to potential opportunities for collaboration and learning.

My partners at CENTER FOR CREATIVE LEADERSHIP created a wonderful article titled, “Networking Perspective and Leadership: ?Are You Connected?,” where the importance of reframing networking as a platform for genuine connection is emphasized. The article delves into strategies for building meaningful connections, highlighting the power of embracing diverse perspectives and fostering authentic interactions. ?Their white paper is very insightful if you have a chance to delve deeper.

Network Perspective and Leadership: Are You Connected?

Here are some tools for success that I use every time I network:?

- Bring your best self—Humans thrive on community: ?Showing up and dressing up psychologically prepares you to interact with people. ?Don’t ignore your basic needs before an event: ?Make sure you are well-rested and have had enough to eat and drink so that you can maintain focus. ?

- Active Listening—Make eye contact, listen more than you talk. ?Learn more quickly and effectively by practicing better listening techniques.

- Courage is key—Get yourself out of your comfort zone to understand and engage.?

- Seize the day—You will never be here with this exact group of people again in this moment in time: ?Recognize how valuable and rare that is and take advantage of it.

The month of November is the official start of family gathering season: ?I see this as an ideal opportunity to spend time with the ones I love. ?Those networking tools I mentioned above also apply to your family gatherings: ?Listen, be heard, and make this time special. ? Networking strategies are also extremely relevant this election year: ?We are poised to learn from diverse points of view, holding fast to our ideals with freedom of speech, while maintaining peace and civility in our conversation.

Did you know that Saddler Consulting Group offers leadership and organizational development ?trainings emphasizing effective networking strategies? ? We can custom-tailor curriculum to your specific needs, transforming the way you work and offering pathways for personal growth. ? I invite you to call or schedule a face-to-face meeting (links are below).?

Network in good health,

Desiree Saddler

Saddler Consulting Group, Inc.

844-779-4724

We are now a proud channel partner for CCL

Please book a time to discuss?https://calendly.com/desiree-25/15-minute-meeting

I have 25 years of experience developing organizational success?

through performance excellence.?

Here is my website: ?https://www.saddlerconsultinggroup.com/