Manage Your Network as It Grows
As a career advancement and leadership development coach, I consistently hear, “How do I manage my network as it grows?”
You want to be able to call on one of your resources when it matters most. As your network inside your organization and across the external marketplace grows, it’s not unusual to get overwhelmed quickly in keeping up with everyone. You may find you questioning whether it’s even possible to keep up with everyone.
Here are some questions to ask and potential strategies to consider when looking for a sustainable approach to managing your network.
What are the priorities going on in my life right now and in the near future that will help me to become who I desire to be?
You cannot be everything to everyone at all times, so the reality is that no one has constant closeness with everyone in their network. Think about it: Do you wake up each and every morning expecting to receive a text or e-mail containing something of value to you? Every now and then, you may hear from a close friend, family member, or individuals from your current job, but there is usually a reason behind the scenes. Closeness requires proximity, whether physically or through common interests and pursuits.
You only have two hands and a finite amount of time in this world, so you have to be smart about how you use them. When you have a clear picture for who you want to be and the steps that are needed to get there, you then have a better picture for who to prioritize to nurture a stronger connection. Map out your sphere of influence to determine who needs your immediate attention. You’re not dismissing the rest of your network but rather using the most unobstructed path to get where you want to go. A core network reminds me of an operator that can dispatch you to the right person or place once they have a good understanding upon where you want to go.
If you need assistance with creating a vision for who you want to become or mapping your priorities and sphere of influence, coaching is a great place to start.
How can I grow stronger connections within my core network?
Once you have identified your priorities and the core network that fits into those priorities, it’s time to actively engage with them to build trust. The key is to engage with your core network in a way that works for YOU. You have your own style for communicating and bringing value to those around you. Find your style, and create a strategy that incorporates your strengths for success.
Are you someone that enjoys taking a calculated approach to life? Perhaps a spreadsheet and calendar reminders to reach out may help. Do you enjoy in-person interactions with others? Volunteer to partner with someone from your network on a project. Do you like to be of service to others? Ask how you can help the other person. Perhaps you enjoy being social. Invite your network to an event you both can enjoy while continuing to learn about one another. While you pursue your network, keep in mind that the types of situations and environments the other person enjoys may not be the same as yours, so adapt periodically to ensure your interactions are a benefit for both parties.
If you are curious about your personal style, request more information about my assessments. Every assessment comes with 1:1 coaching to ensure you understand how the results relate back to your goals, so you can create a strategy that works uniquely for you.
How can I continue to reach individuals that may not relate to my current priorities, just in case I need them in the future?
Again, you have to determine what works best for you. Some people may be okay with letting people go from their lives when they are not relevant to where they are going. Others like to occasionally tap all members of their network to get a pulse.
For me, technology and social media are wonderful tools - as long as I am mindful of their influence over my time and effort. Whether you send out mass communications to a distribution list or post to your followers, you can inform just about anyone about nearly anything. When you follow them back, you enable 2-way communication, so you can stay up-to-date with many of the happenings that your network sends out. When you’re ready to reach out, you then have an archive of the latest information you can use as a reference to set yourself up for success.
In what ways have others been successful when they have reached out to you for the purpose of networking?
Did you know that you do not have to reinvent the wheel? Think back to memorable conversations that you have had with your network. What made those conversations engaging for you? How can people from your network brought value to you? How can you apply what you discover to your own networking strategy?
The good news is that there is a successful way to manage your network; however, it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Take a moment to reflect upon these four questions, so you can have a strategy to maximize your network for the long-term.
