So you think you can dance? What does your network think?

There is a lot of people today who take pride in name dropping and bragging about their number of social media connections. Volume of connectivity to me has never been the barometer or true indicator of someone’s ‘ability to influence'.

A smart person I admire once said to me “It’s not about who you know it’s about what they think of you”. I know some very well connected people but their connections are of limited value as their network does not hold that individual in high regard. I meet many people these days who ‘know everyone’ but can rarely secure a meeting or open an important door for a colleague. Your network is only as valuable as your ability to leverage it and that comes down to your reputation, capability and ability to demonstrate value to your network stakeholders.

Personal branding and specialisation are now key for everyone looking to leverage their network. We all know that. Personal branding gives you the ability to create and cultivate a fa?ade and Linkedin and others provide the tools to help gain attention and create perceived credibility but your going to need to be able to back it up when you shake hands and are asked to pitch or even worse…… deliver!

If you’re going to create the amazing Linkedin profile without the actual uplift in capability that matches the brochure then be careful as you most likely just magnifying and extending the gap between you’re amazing profile and the underwhelming reality. Be authentic and make certain you can meet the expectations you set. If you're not able to meet expectations than your network could become your biggest liability.

So is networking about expanding your reach or elevating your credibility? It’s about both but if you just focus on quantity of connections and don’t have the actual credentials that can be cross checked and validated by your connections then you're flying solo despite your big so called network. Your network is powerful for progressing your cause but it can also be holding you back without you even knowing it. How many people have lost employment opportunities after prospective employers cross checked your alleged prowess with a few people in your network? Happens every day. Lost count of how many calls or requests I have had to validate someone’s credentials on Linkedin. 

Too much focus and hype these days just on branding in my opinion.

Branding is essential and may help you get a 'ticket to the dance' but you’re in trouble if all you know is the tango. You better also invest in your actual skills, knowledge and experience so you can back up your claims.

Your network can be super powerful and everyone knows that. Self awareness, humility and actual credibility determine the value of your network to yourself and others. Size does matter but don’t forget you actually have to be respected by people before they will provide assistance and value.

“Your network is your net worth” is a phrase going around these days. Richard Branson puts networking in his top 3 secrets to success. There is little doubt that networking is critical to anyone tasked with building and maintaining a business.

My Top 6 tips for anyone looking to build a valuable network that can be truly leveraged:

1-   Build Your Brand – Decide how you want to position yourself and master your public profile online and offline.

2-   Master Social – Leverage tech, tools and techniques to cultivate your network.

3-   Build Your Capability – Ensure you can deliver against your brand promise.

4-   Network Alignment - Align your network to your objective – No point having a million of the wrong type of followers. Something to brag about but won't deliver a ROI.

5-   Activity – Assign formal time to work your network. It can’t be an after thought or nice to have. It must be a core activity and habit.

6-   Press the Flesh – If you networking strategy is only online you’re falling short. Most of the market are still not active users of the online platforms and nothing beats personal interaction. Some of your best potential contacts and networking must be done face to face. Get off the keyboard occasionally and get to that event. Networking is an Online/Offline Proposition.

Don’t forget - Linkedin sells tickets to the dance but you had better get dance lessons and head down to the local hall and show people that you can actually strut your stuff. You can claim to be 'Lord of the Dance' on Linkedin but your network are the judges and the only score that matters is theirs.