Last week, we talked about how to cultivate a growth mindset to become resilient. Have a read here if you missed that.
Today, let’s focus on how to build strong networks so you can create opportunities for yourself and your team, build confidence and gain a different perspective from other like-minded professionals from your industry or outside. So if you aren’t in the networking game, you are definitely missing out on something.
Before we get into the benefits of networking, let’s define what it really is.
According to Investopedia, a financial media company, “Networking is the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest, usually in an informal social setting.”
It is building connections with other people whom you share a profession, interest, hobbies, or industry. It is crucial in your success as a Middle Manager.
By networking, you get to expand your professional circle, you learn new trends and other ways to do things, which can help you improve your current system to better serve your team and the company that you work for.
Success is not a solo journey; it’s a collective endeavour. The relationships you build in your professional network are the invisible threads weaving your success story.
From the blog: Relationships and Productivity, I mentioned, “Positive, open and honest relationships are critical for success. Without professional, respectful relationships, there’s no productivity. In fact, there’s no organisation. A critical element of positive relationships – and getting work done – is effective communication. Underpinning all this is trust, and when you have the trust of your people, you can achieve great results.”
According to Ibarra, INSEAD Professor of Organisational Behaviour, “Networking is a requirement for business leaders in today’s competitive environment.”
Always strive to build relationships not just with your team and the company, but to other people as well. You never know where that relationship could take you in the long run, especially when you get to a point in your career where everyone around you has the same intelligence and emotional level as you, has the same credentials. In short, everyone seems to be within your zone of expertise. So take good care of your people, build relationships and be the confident and reliable leader your team and your company need.
The CONFIDENCE Program™: Middle Managers Mastermind is for you if you want to boost your confidence through networking while building your leadership skills and self-awareness. Learn more about the program here and if you want to book a chat, let me know.
Here are 5 reasons why networking is important for you:
- Networking opens doors to new opportunities. Whether it’s a chance encounter at a conference or a virtual event on a professional platform, every connection you make can lead to potential collaborations, projects, or even career advancements.
- Networking allows you to tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience. By engaging with professionals from different backgrounds and industries, you gain valuable insights, industry trends and best practices that can enrich your decision-making process and enhance your leadership skills.
- Networking can significantly impact your career trajectory. From mentorship opportunities to recommendations for new roles or promotions, your network can be instrumental in helping you navigate the complexities of career progression and achieving your professional goals.
- Networking enables you to access a pool of resources that can benefit you and your team. Whether it’s finding a solution to a specific challenge, seeking advice on a complex project, or identifying potential partners for collaboration, your network can serve as a valuable resource hub to support your initiatives and drive success.
- Networking isn’t just about professional gains; it also fosters personal growth and development. Engaging with diverse perspectives, challenging ideas, and learning from others’ experiences can broaden your horizons, expand your worldview, and cultivate essential soft skills such as communication, empathy, and adaptability.
After knowing all that, do you have a professional network? I hope you do however if you need help to connect and network, let me know. I’d be delighted to help.
Next week, I’ll share more about success focusing on ‘Overcoming Challenges: When Luck Seems Scarce.’
