Here's how you can combat isolation and maintain a strong professional network as a self-employed leader.

Join Professional Associations and Networks: Join industry-specific professional associations, online forums, or networking groups related to your field. Participate in events, workshops, and conferences to meet other professionals and expand your network. Attend Networking Events: Attend networking events, meetups, and conferences both online and in person. These events provide opportunities to connect with other professionals, share experiences, and exchange ideas. Utilize Social Media: Use social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to connect with other professionals in your industry. Join relevant groups and engage in discussions, share insights, and build relationships with peers.

If you were a fan of MSN Messenger and Skype, the proliferation of video conferences after the pandemic probably didn’t bother you. Personally, I prefer video calls over regular calls because it’s important for me to read and learn from body language and non-verbal communication through video calls. Similarly, to be effective and avoid falling into boring, it’s essential to keep the call focused and be flexible about the start and end times of video conferences to avoid misunderstandings. Being part of active communities in your work domain will replace physical events. We need to adapt to this new way of communicating and socializing.

Join Professional Associations or Networking Groups: Seek out professional associations, industry groups, or networking organizations relevant to your field or interests. Attend events, conferences, workshops, and networking gatherings to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and build relationships. Participate in Online Communities: Join online communities, forums, or social media groups focused on your industry or areas of expertise. Engage in discussions, share insights, and connect with peers virtually. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and industry-specific forums can be valuable resources for networking and staying connected.

As a self-employed leader myself, I understand the tricky situation around combating isolation. In my experience what has worked for me is: 1. To have frequent virtual catch-ups with stakeholders and clients to discuss work projects and progress rather than doing it over email. 2. To participate in industry events and conferences to meet like-minded people and keep oneself abreast of the latest industry developments 3. Become a part of working groups outside work to indulge both in socializing nd exchange of ideas.

Create a virtual "Office Hour" where fellow self-employed professionals join a live stream to share challenges and solutions, fostering a real-time community and collaborative brainstorming environment. This can help reduce isolation and spark innovation.

Coworking spaces offer a physical environment where self-employed leaders can work alongside others, fostering a sense of community, collaboration, and networking. They provide opportunities for spontaneous interactions and idea exchanges.

Working remotely is such an awesome experience! It may feel a bit lonely at times, like being in a cozy little bubble, but fear not! We now have fantastic online platforms that make connecting with colleagues and bosses a breeze. Can you believe it? Platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram are like our trusty sidekicks, helping us build and maintain professional relationships. These digital wonders have truly revolutionized the way we work, giving us the power to save valuable time that would have been wasted on commuting. With just a few taps on our phones or laptops, we can effortlessly connect with friends and expand our professional network. So, no worries, my friend! We have all the tools we need to excel in our remote work adventures.

anyway, you can meet people online you can make professional expert and perhaps you can get someone to guide you as a mentor the - right person on networking such as LinkedIn to guide you to provide some instructions. Obtain advise, resolve with news tips , do not hesitate to ask the mentor because they waiting to be there to help youanytime. Ask who will be the best in the expertise and connect to LinkedIn

While a ‘boss’ may be a motivator and a useful manager of “things”, a true leader is an awakener of people and liberator of their ideas.

Engaging in mentorship, whether as a mentor or mentee, provides valuable connections and support. Mentors offer guidance, advice, and networking opportunities, while mentees gain insights, learn new skills, and expand their professional network.

1. Taking on a mentorship role can be incredibly fulfilling and beneficial for your professional network. 2. By guiding emerging talents in your field, you contribute to their growth and expose yourself to fresh perspectives and ideas. 3. This reciprocal relationship can lead to new insights for your own business and broaden your network. 4. As your mentees climb the career ladder, they can introduce you to their contacts, further expanding your network. 5. Mentorship is a two-way street, with both mentor and mentee gaining valuable knowledge and experiences.

A leader needs to be the light, not the heat. While a ‘boss’ may be a motivator and a useful manager of “things”, a true leader is an awakener of people and their ideas. Improvement is just not possible with unimproved people. Yet, advance is almost always certain when people are liberated, awakened and further educated,and as a result, improved. The consequence of unimproved people is typically poverty of ambition and not as obvious as the benefit of an improved team that is inspired to aspire.

Offering assistance to others in online communities is not just a way to give back—it's a powerful networking strategy. By sharing your expertise, insights, and resources with others, you establish yourself as a valuable and trustworthy member of the community. This not only strengthens your relationships with fellow professionals but also increases the likelihood that they will reciprocate when you need help or support. Additionally, providing assistance allows you to showcase your skills and knowledge, potentially attracting new clients or collaborators who recognize your expertise. In the interconnected world of online communities, generosity often leads to meaningful connections and opportunities for growth.

To combat isolation as a self employed person, joining communities could be the best possible option for networking. You can join groups of your interests and skills to improve your knowledge as well as to improve your network. Not only joining but also engaging is equally important.

Platforms like #LinkedIn groups, industry forums, or specialized online communities offer avenues for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. They provide opportunities to connect with professionals globally and engage in discussions relevant to one's industry or interests.

This highlights the invaluable resource that online communities represent for networking purposes. It emphasizes the various platforms available, such as forums, social media groups, and membership sites, where professionals convene to discuss industry-related topics. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of active engagement within these communities through activities like asking questions, sharing expertise, and offering support, which can foster trust and establish one's reputation as a leader in the field.

An online community is a great way to “work” with other like-minded professionals. And, it helps to have avenues to discuss ideas, questions, and frustrations.

Find your tribe and nurture your relationships within your group. Whether it is your alma mater, a group that you’ve grown up in, or a prior job, establishing strong ties in your community offer you a sense of belonging, of collaboration, and of leadership growth. Your role will depend on many factors and may change over time but you and your peers will always benefit from this strong connection.

Personal branding is crucial for self-employed leaders. It involves positioning yourself as an authority in your field through content creation, speaking engagements, and media appearances. A robust personal brand not only attracts opportunities but also enhances your visibility and approachability within your industry. By consistently showcasing your expertise, you can build a network that values and respects your leadership. 🌟

Establishing a strong personal brand through platforms like social media, blogs, or speaking engagements can help self-employed leaders attract opportunities, build credibility, and expand their professional network. It allows them to showcase their expertise, share insights, and connect with like-minded individuals.

Creating a personal brand may attract good opportunities. All depends on purpose, story, networking, social media presence, etc. Consistency and clarity again are some other important factors which are crucial to create a personal brand.

You simply cannot be a well respected leader and achieve referent power without having the courage to exhibit awe-inspiring integrity, emotional and social intelligence and oodles of intellectual humility. It is only with REFERENT POWER that a leader will have a long lasting, positive effect to be an influencer. A leader MUST master themselves and life’s most powerful skill of all, influence Leadership is not about domination nor intimidation. It is the ability to influence and attain referential power, which is more art than science Referent power, as an aspect of leadership, becomes particularly important as organizational leadership becomes more about collaboration and influence and less about authority and control

There's no such thing as 'fake it 'til you make it'. Projecting results through a powerfully aligned personal brand image from the start is simply what a professional does. As a self employed leader, it's imperative to always present well, both on and offline. Invest in yourself, grooming/hygiene and wardrobe to develop a presentation reflective of your standards, performance and goals.

Write helpful articles and blogs for your viewers and have a strong social media presence. The people who are attracted to your content or line of thinking will naturally reach out, and you can meet them offline to take the networking further. It's always good to have that initial connection before meeting because you will have something in common to talk about.

Based on my experience, it is essential to immerse ourselves in a community of like-minded entrepreneurs to foster connection, gain wisdom, and draw inspiration. How I try hard to navigate isolation is by doing the following: 1. Work from a coffee shop or co-working space a few days a week. 2. Join online networking communities: I attend a virtual coffee meeting regularly to meet and connect with new people. 3. Take breaks and get outside: Thankfully I have 3 dogs who demand walks and that’s good for all of us! 4. Exercise regularly: I’m training for my second Hyrox so exercise is a daily non negotiable for me which helps me feel great and empowered throughout my day.

I have spent the last five years working as a single-person company. At no time have I felt isolated, and I have actually had the opportunity to grow my professional network. Some of the things that I did was to connect with people from more diverse and relevant backgrounds within my specialty (health professions education). I used intentional approaches - personalized emails and messages, offered to collaborate or enhance their current offerings and offer to incorporate their expertise into what I was doing. I also sought input and counsel from global leaders and experts from within and outside of health professions education hoping to stimulate personal and professional growth. It led to new and exciting opportunities and connections

Join a local charity, attend local SBA meetings, join a church group. There are so many ways to connect with your local community and meet surprising and helpful people. Be prepared to offer your help, and karma will eventually repay you but get out of the house and meet people face to face. In a disconnected world, it's real connections that carry the most value.

To maintain a professional network and avoid isolation as a self-employed leader, prioritize connecting with a diverse range of thought leaders in your industry, not just potential collaborators. Foster an environment for open idea exchange to stay informed and engaged with industry trends and developments.