How well are you Networking?
- May 2, 2019
- 3 min read
Tips to help you create and find more value in your connections.
Networking has evolved immensely since the days of stuffy, male dominated executive suites and boardrooms! Especially for woman!
Women have been dominating in this connection building world for several years now and it shows. We have figured out that networking goes far beyond collecting business cards and "rubbing shoulders" with our impressive "who you know" list of leaders. It is about surrounding ourselves with like-minded, positive and encouraging groups of women who are seeking to find as much value as they are creating. Let's face it ladies, we LOVE to talk! We find great pleasure in building and nurturing strong sincere relationships.
Successful networking skills are not taught in school or college, they are developed over time with the emphasis on 5 key traits. Incorporating these skills into your networking journey will help you increase your connections and build solid relationships that will last a lifetime.
5 Networking tips to help you grow you circle of connections:
1. Be a good Listener!
Ladies I cannot stress this one enough. If you are not truly engaged in the conversations you are having while networking then the next 4 tips are just useless. You have two ears and one mouth, use them proportionately. If you are not listening intently to the other person express their needs and concerns, how are you going to be able to help them make the connections they are seeking?
2. Be YOU Be Authentic!
Have you ever heard the saying, "People buy into you not your product or service"? Well, it's true. A fake facade may not be easily detected at first but it will surface quickly. When you lose trust because of insincerity it gets around and people will no longer find value in their conversations with you. YOU are amazing so let it show!
3. Helping others is Priority!
This is key in everything you do. Do others really care how much you know until they know how much you CARE? You should ALWAYS be networking with a collaborative attitude.
4. Surround yourself with a Strong Support system!
Find your Tribe, Girl Group, Circle of Influencers, or whatever you want to call it.
Woman to Woman mentoring is crucial in today's business world and will prove to be directly related to career advancement. . A study conducted at the University of Notre Dame and the Kellogg School of Management found that *77% of the highest-achieving women had strong ties with an inner circle of two to three other women with whom they communicated frequently. This support systems sets us apart from the typical male lead, male dominated groups.
*“A network’s gender composition and communication pattern predict women’s leadership success,” by researchers Yang Yang, at Northwestern University; Nitesh V. Chawla, at the University of Notre Dame; and Brian Uzzi, at the Kellogg School of Management.
5. For the love of baby Jesus ladies, FOLLOW UP!
So many people are out there collecting business cards and contact information and never following through, don't be that person! If you are consistently failing to follow up with networking contacts who are offering up advice, connections and opportunities they will eventually stop wasting their time. It is a small task that takes little effort. Send a handwritten Thank You card, drop an email or sent a text, it's not that hard and it will prove to be very beneficial to the both of you!
YOU GOT THIS! Now get out there and make some connections!
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