HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

1. Start Within Your Organization

Whether you're a current or aspiring leader, taking the time to build connections within your company can open the door to many opportunities.

Devoting time to sit in on meetings, whether or not they directly impact your department or initiatives, can be a powerful way of demonstrating your interest in the work of others. Other potential strategies include finding a mentor within your organization who's been in your position in the past, offering your expertise to a member of a different team who seems to be struggling, or simply going out to lunch with colleagues instead of eating at your desk.

Having a firm understanding of emotional intelligence, as well as your own strengths and weaknesses, can help.

2. Leverage Professional Associations, Conferences, and Events

When it comes to building a robust network of external connections, professionals have many opportunities to connect with others in their industry. Professional associations, for example, regularly host luncheons and other events where members are encouraged to mingle. Similarly, industry conferences or trade shows can be an effective means of meeting new people.

Consider speaking at an event or participating in a roundtable. In addition to giving you the opportunity to meet others, doing so will allow you to position yourself as a resource—an expert in the field—others will be inclined to turn to.

Related: 5 Steps to Creating a Successful Leadership Development Plan

3. Become a Mentor

Many people understand the value that mentorship can provide. In a mentorship, the mentee can learn from past mistakes, successes, and experiences of their mentor, and apply those lessons to their own career.

Mentors can also benefit from their relationship with mentees. First, mentorship requires the mentor to reflect upon their career in order to guide the mentee—a useful exercise, especially for those not accustomed to doing so. Second, when the mentee is sourced from within the organization, the mentor stands to benefit directly from the mentee’s improved performance.

The mentor-mentee relationship is a powerful one which, when maintained appropriately, can last for decades. These days, individuals do not typically stay at the same organization for their entire careers. This means that a mentor might train and build relationships with many individuals who eventually go on to work in a range of positions at a variety of organizations—creating a robust network of ambassadors who represent the mentor’s brand.

NETWORKING IS CRITICAL TO LEADERSHIP

An effective leader understands that networking is important. As such, building, maintaining, and interacting with your professional network should be a key component of any leadership development plan. By helping you identify career opportunities, build a successful team, anticipate organizational changes, and stay on top of industry trends, your professional network is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal as a leader