The Power of Your Network

We’ve all heard it. The secret sauce to growing a business, progressing in your career and finding an opportunity: 

“Go out and network!”

But what does that really mean? Is networking all about attending after-hours wine tastings and business breakfasts and passing your business card to anyone who’ll take it? Far from it!

Networking is an overall approach to inviting others into your business and your personal ambitions on an ongoing basis. It’s an attitude that says, “I’m open to connecting, learning, and teaching what I know.” This may look different depending on where you are in your leadership journey.

Networking can be very different for each career stage:

Entry Level

At the beginning of your career, networking is scary. When you’re new to the business community or embarking on a new career, you’re likely to have insecurities and more questions than answers. At this stage, networking should truly be about getting to know people inside and outside your workplace and learning from them. It’s important to get to know your contemporaries as well as mentors through community organizations such as your chamber of commerce, young professionals’ network, committees or volunteer agencies. It’s also important to take advantage of the social events your workplace offers for employees - the very purpose of these events is to allow you to build relationships throughout your workplace.

Mid-Career

This is the stage where you are juggling a career with the demands of your family life. Oftentimes this includes younger children and everything their schedules entail. During this stage of your career, it’s important to be extra intentional about your network, choosing carefully where and with whom you’ll spend your time. It’s okay to limit your involvement to those opportunities that provide the most gain for your professional development. Networking during this time may also look a little different – instead of sitting on a board or committee, it could mean a monthly get together with other professionals. Just retain your philosophy that networking—to learn, connect and share—is still a vital component of long-term success.

Advanced Career

Here is where the tables turn, and you find yourself in the position of mentor. With experience comes knowledge, and many people will seek you out to learn from you. Be welcoming and accepting, share your voice and be available for people, just like people were available for you along the way. This is not the time to stop networking. Continue building your connections and offering your wisdom as a legacy to the next generation.

The most important distinction to make when networking is to include opportunities for connecting both inside and outside your workplace. In other words, be sure to build rapport with those outside your office building AND with your coworkers and leaders inside your workplace. Networking happens in the workplace every day, and often your colleagues and former coworkers are the people who know you best and can open doors to allow you to grow. Likewise, connections outside your company can lead to inspirational relationships with people who are navigating similar paths. With a healthy approach to networking, your network will be there to support you along your journey!