Jackie, certified leadership coach and award-winning author, draws from her extensive IBM journey, rising from entry-level to executive. Passionate about fostering positive, sustainable growth, she provides leaders with a unique, firsthand perspective and proven strategies for career advancement.
In today’s professional landscape, where remote and hybrid work structures are the norm, and face-to-face encounters are supplemented with virtual handshakes, your professional network has never been more critical. Networking isn’t just about meeting people – it’s an invaluable career asset that can open doors, offer support, and feed new opportunities. Networking offers professional connections for advice, ideas, and industry insights. It fosters relationships with like-minded peers, enhancing visibility and can lead to career advancements and job opportunities. The strength of your network can often mean the difference between stagnation and advancement. Building a robust network is crucial, not just for immediate opportunities but for long-term career growth and resilience.
For many, the initial steps can be daunting. Whether you’re an extrovert naturally adept at striking up conversations, or an introvert who typically shies away from crowds building a strong and diverse network stands as one of the most valuable assets in navigating your career – even more so now, when whom you know often carries more weight than what you know. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, these 15 tips will help you build a power network that truly advances your career.
Exploring the 3 forms of networking
Networking is complex, layered, and often misconstrued. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach because relationships must be intentionally nurtured. I always advise my clients to lay out a plan with goals and network in bit size chunks verses trying to do everything at one. One way of doing this is to understand three distinct but interdependent forms of networking: Operational, Personal, and Strategic networking.
Operational networking
Operational networking primarily revolves around building functional relationships within an organization. It focuses on meeting short-term objectives and entails collaborating with stakeholders such as direct reports, superiors, peers, and external entities like suppliers and customers. The quality of relationships cultivated within this network is pivotal, as it fosters rapport and mutual trust, driving task accomplishment. As managers transition into leadership roles, the orientation of their networks shifts externally, focusing on future-oriented objectives.
Personal networking
This form of networking extends beyond the organizational boundaries, including contacts within personal circles. Personal networks serve as sources of referrals, information, and developmental support, offering a safe space for personal growth and problem-solving. It includes connections made through professional associations, alumni groups, clubs, and personal interest communities.
Strategic networking
As managers evolve into business leaders, strategic networking becomes imperative. It involves engaging with diverse stakeholders to address broad strategic issues and align contributions with business objectives. Strategic networkers must be able to navigate horizontal and vertical relationships, mobilizing coalitions and networks to drive initiatives to completion. Leveraging indirect influence is key at this level, as strategic networkers shape networks to align with their business goals.
Build a power network: 15 tips for career advancement
Tip 1: Start with a strategy
Understand your long-term career objectives. Know what you want to accomplish and identify the types of professionals who can help you get there. Set achievable targets, for example, aim to connect with one new meaningful contact monthly. A well-defined strategy streamlines whom you target, making networking efforts more focused and effective.
Tip 2: Be consistent and persistent
Networking is a continuous endeavor, not a one-time event. Dedicate time each week to reach out to new contacts or nurture existing relationships. This consistency ensures your network remains responsive.
Tip 3: Perfect your brand statement
Be ready to introduce yourself. Craft a brand statement that captures your professional essence and makes your objectives clear to those you engage. Your ability to articulate your expertise, your unique value proposition, and your networking objectives is invaluable in networking.
Tip 4: Expand your horizons / cultivate diverse relationships
Seek to build relationships with professionals from diverse backgrounds and industries.
Such a network not only enriches your knowledge base but also offers different perspectives, innovative solutions, and presents you with unexpected opportunities. It’s through diversity that the true power and potential of networking is gained.
Tip 5: Leverage the Power of Social Media
Proactively engage on platforms like LinkedIn by joining industry groups. Join professional groups, attend virtual seminars, and engage in social media to create an expansive digital footprint. These platforms offer accessibility and scale that traditional networking avenues cannot match.
Tip 6: Utilize online events and webinars
Attend these with a strategic mindset, as each virtual interaction is a potential gateway to expanding your professional reach.
Tip 7: Attend industry events and conferences
Despite the prominence of digital avenues, in-person industry events and conferences remain invaluable. They provide a foundation for organic, high-quality networking opportunities. Approach these events with a game plan, aiming to build connections that align with your professional goals and interests.
Tip 8: Foster genuine connections
Be genuine in your interactions and prioritize establishing sincere relationships over transactional connections. People are more inclined to invest in, remember and vouch for someone they genuinely like and respect.
Tip 9: Practice active listening
In conversations, focus more on listening than speaking. You’ll be surprised at what you can learn about others’ needs and how you might be able to help them, which is often the beginning of a strong professional relationship.
Tip 10: Follow up and follow through
Nurturing a new connection doesn’t end with the exchange of business cards or a virtual handshake – it requires consistent and genuine engagement. After meeting new contacts, follow up with a personalized message. Mention something memorable from your conversation and express your interest in staying connected. Follow through on promises, check in periodically, and remain present in the minds of your connections. Regular follow-ups keep the relationship warm and dynamic.
Tip 11: Add value / be a connector
Networking is a two-way street. Be proactive in helping others within your network, whether it’s sharing industry knowledge, facilitating introductions, or offering your expertise. Introduce people within your network to each other when you see a mutual benefit. Being a connector not only strengthens your network but also establishes you as a valuable, resourceful member of your professional community. Position yourself as a resource, and reciprocation will naturally follow, strengthening the bond with your connections.
Tip 12: Volunteer for leadership roles
Taking leadership roles in professional associations or community groups can expand your network and enhance your leadership skills. It's a powerful way to showcase your abilities to a wider audience.
Tip 13: Develop a mentorship mindset
Approach networking with a mentorship mindset. Seek out individuals who have navigated the path you’re on. They can provide invaluable guidance and introduce you to key players in your industry. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone you admire and ask for mentorship.
Conversely, be open to the roles of mentee or peer mentor, acknowledging that you have experiences and insights worth sharing.
Tip 14: Leverage professional coaching
Investing in professional coaching can dramatically accelerate your career and networking goals. A coach can provide personalized advice and strategies to expand your network effectively and authentically.
Tip 15: Focus on the long game
Remote networking can often feel transactional, with short-lived interactions prioritized over sustained relationships. Aim for the long game, investing time in fostering connections that grow over time.
Hybrid and remote networking are not temporary fixtures but the new norm of professional life. By adapting your strategies using these tips, you position yourself to exploit the immense potential it offers for creating a vibrant, global professional network.
Remember, networking is an investment in your career’s future. Implementing these strategies and tips is your first step towards standing out in the workplace. For professionals aspiring to advance their careers and amplify their leadership style, I invite you to grab my Free Leadership Signature Workbook. And if you’re ready to take a more committed step towards becoming the best version of yourself, book a coaching call today.
Together, we can unlock your potential and position you for success. Building a power network is just the beginning—empowering you to be the best that you can be is the goal.
Read more from Jackie Stallings Evans
Jackie Stallings Evans, Leadership Coach and Solutions Strategist
Jackie, a certified ICF and BCC leadership coach and award-winning author, is dedicated to helping leaders achieve sustainable growth. Rising from entry-level to executive at IBM, she brings a distinctive understanding of the challenges faced by individuals as the only person of color and woman in the room. With her own coaching company, Jackie crafted the Rising Leader Model, informed by real-world challenges and successes. This model equips leaders with proven tools and strategies, honed through her experiences and those of her clients, to navigate and succeed in their careers.
