Power series... Unleash Your True Power through the 'Power of Networking'

Power of Networking

As part of the ‘Power series’,?the topic that I wanted to touch upon and explore this week is the?‘Power of Networking’. In today’s world where individuals have thousands of friends on Facebook, millions of followers on Instagram, and a hundred thousand connections and followers on LinkedIn, is it worth to talk about networking. Today every age group is connected through social media and has a network. Right? The initial thought is that networking in today’s era is both easy and simple. However, I feel the fact of the matter is that networking in today’s world is as much of an art and science as it was in earlier days.

Having a large online community of friends and followers in today’s world means having a greater ability to influence many. It means being able to reach out to a large group of individuals at one go with whom you can share insights, ask for inputs on various issues, request their opinions, and also seek support on matters important to you when needed. However, a question still to answer would be, 'At an individual level, do you feel disconnected in today’s virtually connected world?' It is important to introspect about the different kinds of networks you have and what purpose each network contributes towards in your life.

As stated in the HBR article, ‘A Smarter Way to Network’, “Network size doesn’t usually matter. We have found that individuals who simply know a lot of people are less likely to achieve standout performance because they are spread too thin. The executives who consistently rank in the top 20% of their companies in both performance and wellbeing have diverse but select networks made of high-quality relationships with people who come from several different spheres and from up and down the hierarchy.”

So, I will like to put across two simple questions for you to ponder upon????:

?In today’s BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible) world where unpredictability is the norm and most of us are experiencing high-stress work environments, struggling to develop and sustain relationships, feeling overwhelmed by the needs of the present and the demands of the future, being asked to lead teams and organizations through change and signing up for career shifts never imagined before, having a trusted and strong network is undoubtedly the currency of life which can help us face any storm that comes by. As stated by Dr. Ivan Misner, BNI Founder, and Author, “Networking is the process of developing and activating your relationships to increase your business, enhance your knowledge, and expand your sphere of influence or serve the community.”

As per the HBR article, ‘How to build your network?’ It states ‘Strong personal networks don’t just happen at the watercooler. They have to be carefully constructed.’ Thus, it is important to introspect and understand that are the individuals in your current network helping you grow personally, professionally, emotionally, and spiritually and what are some areas of your life where you would want your network to grow.

Here are some simple yet powerful ways to help you explore and expand your trusted network that can make you richer by developing your social capital and make you feel connected and capable of navigating through unprecedented change or challenges in life:

1. Create your definition of social capital – You need to pause and reflect on what is your definition of social capital. How developing 'social capital' can add value to your life and the life of others. It is extremely important to understand that networking is about developing and nurturing relationships that take time and energy to flourish. *Networking is more about farming than hunting. Successful networking is about taking the time to cultivate relationships, always with an attitude of giving.?You grow your relationships with the right intent and care and in the longer run your relationships will help you grow.
2. Diagnose your network by mapping the people who are part of it and discover what kind of network you presently have. This will help you understand the strength and weaknesses of your network. If you have been connecting with the same group of colleagues, seniors, team members and friends for a very long time and have made no effort to add someone new to your trusted network then there is work to be done in this area. As a start identify individuals who can offer expertise, increase your market awareness, inspire innovation, have greater influence, who add a sense of purpose to your life or increase your self-worth, and help you promote work-life balance. Start identifying if there are any common interests that you share with them or is there something you can offer to build a new relationship.?
3. What if you don’t enjoy networking? - If you are someone who is not comfortable with the thought of networking as you enjoy your own company, you may be wondering that networking is not your cup of tea. Interestingly, anyone can network if you first start believing in yourself. Networking is not for socially active individuals only. You can start from a place of abundance rather than lack. You may be a good listener, maybe good at a certain sport, music or creative skills which can help you break the ice. Start by lending your ear to others to listen to them and if there is an area where you can offer support, go ahead and do that. Also, start by telling yourself there is no pressure on you to crack a relationship, it’s just about being there and being open to the thought of meeting a few new people and learning from your experience.
4. Balance between online and offline network - Each of us has a handful of trusted people in our lives who are our go-to person for seeking care and advice, discussing different viewpoints at length, challenging our beliefs, and are our trusted advisors, friends, mentor, and guide. You need to reflect that are you making an effort to reach out to these individuals personally like, picking up the phone and talking to them or meeting them personally on an ongoing basis. I have seen this in my better half, he travels a lot on account of work and no matter which city he is in, he takes out time to meet people in his network and enjoys spending time with them. He mentioned it gives him great energy, a feeling of being cared for, and yes, a trusted circle to reach out to in times of need.
5. Does networking seem morally distasteful to you? – You are not alone if the thought of networking puts you in a moral dilemma. It may lead to emotions such as fear, guilt, regret, shame, or even self-reproach. It is important to start with pure intent. You may set an intent for yourself that you are not meeting new people or even your existing network as means of trying to get something out of them like a new job, a new role or a career advancement. Remind yourself that it is more about socializing, sharing, caring, finding if people have some common interests, extending your listening ear and purely enjoying the company of others while being your authentic you. This will make you feel more comfortable with the idea of networking.?

As Jill Rowley stated, "Networking is the art of building relationships, and relationships are the currency of business and life." We need connections and people around us who can help us see what we can’t see, help us explore what we never knew existed, and help us grow in ways we could have never imagined. Do sign-up for networking and see your energy and magic grow.

More ‘Power of Networking’ to you! ??

Keep smiling and keep shining…??

*https://ivanmisner.com/networking-the-true-definition/

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