Strengthening Leadership: A Guide to Evaluating and Enhancing Your Workplace Support Network

Effective leadership in STEM requires more than just technical expertise; it demands a strong, reliable support network. As a STEM leader, your success hinges on the people around you—mentors, peers, collaborators, and even those you mentor yourself. However, just having a network isn't enough; you need to regularly evaluate and enhance it to ensure it truly supports your professional and personal growth. Here’s how you can take a strategic approach to auditing your workplace support network.

Understanding Your Leadership Platform

Before diving into the specifics of your support network, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your personal leadership platform. This involves recognizing your core values, strengths, and the unique perspective you bring to the table. By defining what leadership means to you, you can better identify the types of support you need to thrive.

Ask yourself:

• What are the values that guide my decision-making?
• How do I want to influence my team and colleagues?
• What are my short-term and long-term leadership goals?

Understanding these elements will give you a solid foundation on which to build or enhance your support network.

Identifying Foundational Support Requirements

Once you’ve clarified your leadership platform, the next step is to identify your foundational support requirements. These are the key areas where you need consistent backing to achieve your leadership goals. This could include:

• Mentorship from experienced leaders in your field
• Peer support from colleagues who share similar challenges
• Access to resources that aid in skill development
• Emotional and psychological support, especially when navigating challenging times

By pinpointing these needs, you can begin to map out who in your current network fulfills these roles and where there may be gaps.

Auditing Your Network Pillars

A thorough audit of your network involves evaluating the existing relationships that form the pillars of your support system. Start by listing out the key individuals who currently support you in your leadership journey. For each person, consider:

• What role do they play in your professional development?
• How frequently do you interact with them, and is this interaction beneficial?
• Are there any unspoken expectations or areas where communication could be improved?

This audit isn’t just about recognizing who is there; it’s also about identifying who might be missing. Consider if there are areas where you need more support—such as a mentor with expertise in a specific area—or if there are relationships that may no longer serve your growth and could be respectfully phased out.

Strategic Investment in Relationship Building

The final step in this process is to define where best to invest your energy in creating, building, and sustaining relationships. Relationships are dynamic, requiring time and effort to maintain, and not all of them will yield immediate benefits. Focus on relationships that align with your leadership goals and provide mutual value.

Consider these strategies:

• Schedule regular check-ins with key mentors and peers to maintain strong connections
• Seek out new relationships that fill identified gaps, perhaps through networking events or professional organizations
• Be intentional about offering value to others in your network, ensuring that these relationships are reciprocal

As a STEM leader, your support network is an essential component of your success. By understanding your needs, auditing your current relationships, and strategically investing in new connections, you can create a robust network that will sustain and enhance your leadership journey.

Join Our Webinar

If you’re interested in diving deeper into this topic, I invite you to attend our upcoming webinar, "The STEM Leader's Guide to Auditing Your Workplace Support Network." We'll work together to explore:

• Understanding your personal platform for leadership
• Identifying your foundational support requirements
• Auditing your network pillars – establishing who you have and who is missing
• Defining where best to invest your energy to create, build, and sustain relationships

Expect a fast-paced, interactive session where you’ll raise your hand, laugh a bit, and enjoy some creative fun. Click here to register and ensure your support network is as strong as your leadership.