Ways to help diversify your personal network

Your personal network is your source for support when you're faced with challenges. Think for a moment about your professional contacts. Consider:

• Who do you go to for professional advice? Who comes to you?
• Who do you go to for mentoring/coaching? Who comes to you?
• Who would you go to for help with a project? Who comes to you?

Now, of the people who came to mind, how many are different from you on aspects such as age, race, gender, personality, political views, or even physical appearance?

If your network is relatively similar, you're not alone. It's not uncommon for people's professional networks to be similar to themselves, even if they've built connections with people of different nationalities, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

Diamond Brown, PHR, ACC stated in a?LinkedIn article, "Diversifying your network is like saving for retirement. You wouldn't risk your life savings by investing in a single stock, so why would you limit your contacts to one narrow field or demographic of people? You could be limiting yourself from the necessary human and social capital needed when you need to advance your career or handle a challenge that requires a skill set out of your current career field."??

How to diversify your personal and professional network

Network with a purpose

Consider why you want to diversify your network. This will allow you to be intentional and establish connections that will help you reach your purpose versus just collecting business cards or connections on LinkedIn. Determine the right platforms to reach your target audience. Whether you are online or in person, engage and contribute.?

• Take action:?At social or networking events, set a goal to talk to at least one new person.Send a message to someone whose business card you received or who is a new LinkedIn contact to start a conversation.

Focus more on learning?

Connecting with those who are different from you can help you test your own assumptions and challenge your biases. Your network will have an impact on how you make decisions. Learning about other's experiences can help you see things through a different lens.??

• Take action: Attend educational trainings or webinars where you interact in small groups.If your job offers them, participate on interdepartmental project teams.

Put yourself in new places?

To meet different people, go to different places. Be deliberate about attending events or going places you might not have gone before. While you are there, ask lots of questions. Be inquisitive! You will be sure to make new contacts and, hopefully, friends.

• Take action: Join a community organization that focus on different matters than you normally deal with.Attend events at your library. They’re often free and highlight voices inside and outside of the local community. Volunteer with local non-profits.

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