You're a project manager looking to build a strong professional network. What's the best way to get started?

Establishing a professional network is essential for career progression, not only for project managers but for all professionals alike. For entry-level individuals, actively participate in local and international events, connect with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn, and initiate coffee meetups. Overcome any hesitations and remember, if met with a "No," persist in pursuing opportunities until you achieve a "Yes." For intermediate and senior-level professionals, consider taking on roles as event speakers, develop a professional blog to share insights and experiences, and actively engage with peers on LinkedIn to expand your network and influence within your industry.

To build a strong professional network as a project manager: Attend industry events and conferences. Join project management associations. Engage with online communities and social media. Network within your organization. Volunteer your skills for networking opportunities. Enroll in networking workshops or training. Seek mentorship from experienced professionals. Follow up with new contacts to maintain connections.

Strategic Networking: Setting Clear Objectives 1️⃣ Clarify Purpose: Determine the primary reason for expanding your network, whether it's for mentorship, collaboration, client acquisition, or peer engagement. 2️⃣ Identify Desired Outcomes: Define what success looks like in terms of skill enhancement, career advancement, or domain exploration. 3️⃣ Focus Your Efforts: Use your goals to guide whom you choose to connect with, ensuring each interaction moves you closer to your objectives. 🚀 Take Action: Establish clear, achievable goals for your networking activities to make meaningful connections that align with your career aspirations and personal growth.

Reflect on your professional aspirations, career stage, and areas where you seek support or guidance. Consider your skills, expertise, and the industry or field you are in. Make your goals specific and measurable. Determine the industries or sectors that align with your professional interests.

The best way to start building a strong professional network as a project manager is by actively engaging in industry events, conferences, and seminars. Attend relevant workshops, join professional associations or online forums, and participate in networking events both in person and virtually. Utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with other professionals in your field, and don't hesitate to reach out and initiate conversations.

To develop a strong professional network as a project manager:, following can be considered: 1. Identify important contacts in your field and workplace. 2. Attend industry events, join associations, and use social media. 3. Volunteer for projects and participate in workshops. 4. Reach out for meetings or mentorship opportunities. 5. Stay in touch and offer assistance to maintain relationships. 6. Follow up after networking events to stay connected.

There are countless project management community. Arguably, one of the best is Project Management Institute (PMI), where it is a global organization. Almost 100% there is PMI chapter in virtually every country in the world. They are very open and always happy to have new members join the community. Most of the members join PMI community because of the PMI's certification, such as PMP, PMI-ACP, etc. Regardless the community that you choose, find the most suitable one where you feel safe and accepted, and most importantly that you can grow professionally and personally. Don't forget to contribute to the community by sharing your experience and being helpful to the other members.

Become a part of professional organizations and online communities. Attend industry events, conferences, and workshops related to project management. Join LinkedIn groups, forums, or local project management associations. Participate in webinars, seminars, and networking meetups to connect with like-minded professionals.

Uma importante forma de criar conexões e de construir trocas riquíssimas e relevantes sobre o gerenciamento de projetos é de buscar em sua região as entidades de classe mais conhecidas do seu entorno e se tornar assíduo na participação de workshops, palestras, missões e até mesmo encontros virtuais de ícones do tema. As melhores construções, trocas de ideias, e busca de melhorias no seu processo se dão em ambiente ambientes externos, pois a criatividade precisa desses gatilhos para que os insights aconteçam.

Once identified a community to join make sure to not only absorb passively information you receive but also contribute with your unique skills and experience. Even if you consider yourself a junior, pickup an activity or share about a topic that deeply interests you so that other can benefit from it. offer to offload some of the most senior members from some of their tasks and in no time you will expand knowledge in new areas in a very short amount of time.

Be curious, like people & Genuinely be interested to know their stories. I am yet to meet someone who likes something more than talking about themselves! So when you approach someone you would like to add to your network - genuinely connect, ask them about their story & how they made it here, what excites them & what are they looking to accomplish. Be true & Cultivate those relationships. Create good content. Create original content in the PM space & engage with content from other PMs/leaders that you follow in that space. LinkedIn collaboration articles is a great place to create your original content - it even recognizes you as a Top voice in your space - that's validation from the LinkedIn community on your expert skills!

Participate in discussions by offering thoughtful insights, sharing experiences, and providing valuable information. Avoid spamming or self-promotion, and focus on contributing to the community's knowledge base. Share relevant articles, blog posts, or resources that you come across. This demonstrates your commitment to contributing valuable content to the community. Be willing to help others by answering questions, providing guidance, or offering support. Actively engage with community members who may benefit from your expertise. Initiate discussions on topics that are relevant to the community. This demonstrates leadership and encourages others to share their opinions and insights.

Be active and visible within your network to establish credibility. Share insights, articles, and resources related to project management on social media. Participate in discussions, comment on posts, and offer valuable perspectives. Volunteer for speaking opportunities or panel discussions to showcase your expertise.

A chave para uma rede forte não está apenas em buscar conexões, mas em ser uma fonte de apoio e informação, cultivando relações duradouras baseadas na troca e no respeito mútuos. Compartilhar conhecimentos, oferecer ajuda e participar de discussões não só enriqueceu minha experiência, mas também me posicionou como um membro valioso dentro da rede.

An integral aspect of nurturing professional relationships is the commitment to support and cheer on your connections. Celebrate their achievements, offer encouragement during challenging times, and provide assistance when possible. This could manifest in various forms, from sharing their accomplishments on social media to providing mentorship or advice. Such actions strengthen bonds and contribute to a culture of generosity and support within your network.

Focus on building genuine, mutually beneficial connections. Reach out to professionals you admire or whose work aligns with your interests. Schedule informational interviews to learn from experienced project managers. Offer help and support to others in your network without expecting immediate returns.

Building a network of professionals from diverse sectors, roles and backgrounds is a valuable strategy for PMs to enrich their knowledge, perspective, innovative thinking, and enhance problem-solving abilities. Learning from individuals’ experiences in different industries can bring forth unconventional solutions and offer fresh insights that can be applied to your own domain. Identifying shared challenges across different sectors and roles helps with effective application of successful strategies. As a professional from a technical background, I find it interesting to see how professionals from creative fields approach problem-solving, highlighting the benefits of cross-industry connections.

Diversify your network to gain different perspectives and opportunities. Connect with professionals from diverse industries, backgrounds, and career levels. Explore global networking opportunities to understand international project management practices. Seek out mentors who can provide guidance and insights from their experiences.

Stay updated with industry trends, tools, and best practices. Pursue project management certifications or training programs to enhance your skills. Attend workshops, seminars, or online courses to expand your knowledge base. Share your learning journey with your network to demonstrate your commitment to growth.

Strong relationships are nurtured. It can be started in every activity that collaborates with other people. A project can also be seen as an opportunity to extend our network. Apply a stewardship and service excellence mindset, and you will find yourself closely engaged with your counterparts, project team, and stakeholders. Be there when they are in need, listen to their pain points, and show that you care about their goals. Certainly, they will appreciate you and want to make a strong professional bond with you.

Well, there is another way to build strong professional network. Instead of joining an existing community, why don't we just create a new one? We can setup the network with the ground rules, have meetups, hold events as we would like to have, contribute and collaborate to the other communities. And remember to put ourselves as collaborator for other communities, not competitor!

Be Genuine and Authentic: Build relationships based on trust, respect, and authenticity. Show genuine interest in others' work and achievements. Follow Up and Stay Connected: After networking events or meetings, follow up with a personalized message. Stay connected with your network through occasional updates, messages, or coffee chats. Seek Mentorship and Guidance: Find mentors within your network who can offer advice and support. Actively seek feedback from mentors to improve your project management skills. Give Back to the Community: Offer your expertise, mentorship, or assistance to newcomers in the field. Volunteer for industry-related projects or initiatives to make meaningful contributions.

LinkedIn has been instrumental in building my professional network during my career transition. When utilised effectively, it offers a wealth of opportunities for growth and connections. I value networking events where I can meet individuals from my industry and forge meaningful connections. I believe in contributing to each other's communities by engaging in conversations and fostering connections through laughter. Let's make an effort to come together more often and enrich our professional circles.