How can you network effectively in a leadership position?

The more senior you are, the less time you have for networking, making it an increasingly strategic exercise. Every interaction must add value, especially given the limited time available to executives. Successful networking, therefore, starts with a clear intent. Ask yourself: Is your goal to mentor emerging talents, to secure high-impact speaking engagements, or to build your thought leadership in the industry? By clarifying your vision, you can choose where to best focus your efforts. Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and opportunities in public speaking is one of the most effective ways to amplify your personal brand and thought leadership, positioning you for networking on a truly global scale.

An excellent point about the necessity of defining one's purpose before diving into networking activities. In my experience, particularly in scaling my EdSaaS company, Vertocity, I've found that having a clear networking objective is crucial. Whether it's seeking investment, forming partnerships, or acquiring knowledge, the 'why' behind networking shapes the 'how.' For instance, when I aimed to expand my educational services business, I targeted networking events and platforms where educators and investors converged. This allowed me to craft messages that were not just generic but tailored to resonate with my target audience.

In a leadership position, effective communication is crucial. Here are some key tips: 1. Be clear and concise: Use simple language and avoid jargon to ensure your message is easily understood. 2. Listen actively: Give your full attention to others and show genuine interest in their opinions and concerns. 3. Provide feedback: Offer constructive feedback to help others improve and acknowledge their achievements. 4. Be approachable: Create an open and welcoming environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. 5. Adapt your communication style: Tailor your approach to different individuals and situations to maximize understanding and engagement.

Call it what you want, but networking is really about building relationships with people who can advance your goals. If you lead an organization, this may mean getting to know people who can help you build partnerships, create new distribution channels, better understand market trends, learn more about competitors, choose vendors or find talent. Candidly, a major barrier to building these external relationships is time. Many people in leadership positions already spend a lot of time away from home. For this reason, senior leaders need to be judicious about how to invest their finite time. Building relationships based on reciprocal altruism requires connection and trust. Again, this takes time.

In today's time and age networking is a key factor for leadership to succeed. Be it from internal perspective or external, networking helps leaders in business development, hiring senior talents, getting to know industry trends and many other aspects. And networking is not just occasional phone calls or attending few events but actually building relationships. In fact, in my opinion if leaders are not networking then they are 'not working '! 🙂

Authenticity and generosity are indeed cornerstones of effective networking, particularly in leadership roles. In my journey as a founder, I've observed that people are more willing to engage when they sense sincerity and a genuine willingness to contribute. This is not just about transactional exchanges but about building a community of mutual respect and shared value. For example, at Vertocity, we often share our research findings and best practices in the educational ecosystem with our network. This not only positions us as thought leaders but also fosters a culture of generosity and collaboration.

Being authentic is key while networking. We as leaders network to add value to a relationship. Relationships need to be developed and nurtured. A common mistake made is to ask for a favour in the first instance. That can boomerang. It is like in your bank account first you have to deposit money and only then can you withdraw or else your bank account will become nil. Similarly by genuinely being interested in others you will find out what is most valuable for the other person as of now. For example if a recruiter is seeking a candidate and you have a great referral, offer it. And do not ask for anything in return immediately. That is how you start off a relationship.

Be real. People can quickly identify someone that is fake or pretentious (and if you by chance do convince them, it's really hard to keep that front up). Generous people, make others want to be generous to them. Share freely your time, network, ideas, feedback, and help. "How can I best help you?" is a powerful question that will open doors and unlock relationships.

Networking effectively requires the same skills for leaders as everyone else. The difference lies in visibility. As a leader, you cast a shadow and, even if you’re not aware of it, it trails behind you. In other words, who you make connections with matters because others see and imitate your actions. Recently, I spoke with a person early in her career who struggled with networking in her hybrid work environment. I suggested she try in-person meetups for her industry and functional area and directed her to a few in our city. Through this interaction, I saw the challenges faced by young people new to the workforce and I hope she gained some strategies to meet people and build her career. Leaders, I encourage you to diversify your network!

3 important questions to ask: 1) Look around, does everyone look like you? 2) Scroll through your socials, does everyone look like you? 3) Look at your calendar, are your appointments with people that look like you? Network diversity doesn't happen automatically. Be intentional in seeking people out who come from different backgrounds, ethnicities, socioeconomic classes, and viewpoints. Be

Absolutely agree on the importance of diversifying one's network, especially for leaders. In my role as a founder in the EdSaaS sector, I've found immense value in connecting with professionals from various fields—be it technology, finance, or even the arts. This diversity has not only enriched my understanding of different sectors but has also opened doors to cross-industry collaborations. For instance, our partnerships with tech companies have significantly enhanced our product offerings, while connections in the finance sector have facilitated investment opportunities. Diversification is not just a buzzword; it's a strategic move that can significantly amplify a leader's reach and impact.

You should spend time weekly working on your career and nurturing your network. Most people only do this when they need a job. Proactively maintaining and nurturing your network, will make future career pivots and transitions much easier. Set aside time each weekly, even just a few minutes a day, to do things like posting on LinkedIn, nurturing relationships with existing connections, and building new relationships.

"Follow-up and follow-through are often the missing links in networking, and I couldn't agree more with their importance, especially for leaders. In my experience, the initial connection is just the starting point; the real value lies in nurturing that relationship over time. At Vertocity, we have a structured approach to follow-up, which includes not just thank-you notes but also sharing quarterly updates on our progress and milestones. This keeps our network engaged and also opens doors for further collaboration. Follow-through is equally critical. Whether it's a promised introduction or delivering a pilot project, fulfilling commitments has been key to building trust and credibility.

Leaders can maintain their reputation through networking; it's important to be a thought leader and to share your insights with those who are coming up behind you! It's critical that you continue to grow and learn and much of that happens through networking. Join peer groups to leverage the experience and diversity of others in the same position at a different company or in a different industry.

Leveraging a network is crucial for leaders, but it must be done judiciously. In scaling Vertocity, I've found that a respectful approach to leveraging connections can yield significant benefits. Whether seeking strategic advice or introductions to potential clients, the key is alignment with the contact's interests. Reciprocity is essential; we've supported our network's initiatives as well. This creates a virtuous cycle of mutual benefit, enhancing the collective impact. It's not about taking; it's about shared growth

“Deb, always network with 15+ and 15- years of experience- said one of my C-suite client.” When I asked he explained ; “networking is like an elastic band should be expansive both ways. One should network with one whom you can Shadow as a successor & who can be your Successor. People miss out the later. Their legacy of leadership ceases ro exist like Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. Be Akbar, get the young gems in your court and have a higher mastermind aswell.” I smiled. That was perfect storytelling by my client on a leadership topic. My sessions worked for him.

Networking feels uncomfortable to most people. Instead of feeling like you always have to knock on other people’s doors to network with them, I recommend that you flip the script. Have people come to you. How? By developing a strong personal brand. When you position yourself as a thought leader in your space, people become interested in learning more about you. All of a sudden, networking opportunities abound instead of you chasing them.

One common mistake I observe among the leaders I coach is only thinking of and tapping into their network when there's an immediate need. I understand: many busy executives find it challenging to allocate regular time for networking. A strategy to counter this time pressure is cultivating one's thought leadership. By setting aside just 15-20 minutes a week to craft a meaningful post - be it sharing your experiences, offering advice, or narrating a story - you not only reconnect with existing contacts but also establish new ones. This practice can also lead to invitations to speak at conferences, further expanding your network. Being consistently visible and vocal online allows a wider audience to benefit from your expertise and leadership.