Networking…from hiding to thriving
‘Networking’… it was a word that at one time would enshrine me in absolute terror and fear. As an introvert, my roles required me to network. This in my eyes meant going to events and networking. The idea of having to approach people I did not know and make small talk was akin to the joy of ‘sticking pins in my eyes’. When ‘networking’ I felt like I had to sell myself, I felt exposed, it felt forced and desperate. It was exhausting.
However, if you look at the true meaning of networking, it is about interaction between people to exchange ideas, information and to develop both professional and social networks.
I was fortunate to work with a colleague who was in my eyes a great networker. They entered new conversations with ease, poise and confidence. In asking them their secret to ‘networking’ they shared with me that they enter all conversations with a mindset of curiosity and a desire to build productive relationships.
They believed networking was an opportunity to learn and share in the moment. That it was not about an event, it was about the connection and relationship.
At my next networking (connecting) opportunity, I switched my brain from trying to sell myself to one of enquiry, curiosity and learning. It was not until I adjusted my mindset and beliefs about the value of networking that I realised the incredible value of it and disbanded the unhelpful thoughts that impeded my success.
Once I realised the power of my network, it has provided me moments of sheer joy and often relief that I am not on my own and that someone is able to help me solve a challenge, add to my thinking or connect me to others. This became especially obvious to me during the most recent COVID-19 change to our world of work. Like everyone else, my world changed overnight. I needed to adapt to working in a remote world with a need to master new skills and confidence with technology for virtual facilitation of leadership programs. It was my network that helped my master Zoom, WebEx and Teams. Learn how to use my iPad as a remote whiteboard, learn the power of Mural as a virtual collaboration tool and whiteboard, use an online polling resources, realise that I was better to stand rather than sit when facilitating, to know that every 7 minutes I needed to add an activity and fun to the webinar, have a stretch at 45 minutes and to remember to smile, have fun and look at the camera.
The reality is work gets done differently now – organisations are now much flatter, more matrixed, a mix of remote and local workplaces, virtual teams, cross-functional ad-hoc teams, centralised and de-centralised operations, etc. To be successful connections need to be made with peers, decision makers, idea generators, subject matter experts, support folk and resource managers 24/7.
Effective networkers are admired and assured. Mastering this skill will add to your leadership impact.
My network has helped me in my leadership roles, my professional consulting work, my personal life and most recently in developing my practice. For me, my network is about having the most amazing group people who are ‘connectors’ that want to help me grow and achieve success.
The reality is that we are surrounded by an incredible resource pool of people who can connect us with other people, ideas, know how and access to information that can multiply our capability, understanding and capacity.
As leaders you have a role in building a culture of learning and collaboration. To create the environment for everyone to tap into the power of networking and connecting.
As you think about your network and your networking skills, consider how you can move from hiding to thriving.
- Are you approaching each interaction with a mindset of curiosity, generosity and learning?
- Are you connecting before jumping into content?
- Are you finding your cadence and having fun?
Written by Rosemarie Dentesano.
My latest whitepaper on “A Systems Approach to Culture Alignment’ is available at www.p2psolutions.com.au
Working at the intersection of strategy and culture, Rosemarie collaborates with organisations to create pragmatic culture solutions that work.
She sees her role to provide expert input while working with leaders as they drive culture change within their team. Rosemarie is passionate about building an organisation’s capabilities and promoting cultures that thrive.
If you would like to learn more, please contact Rosemarie on
+61 417 354 117 rosemarie@p2psolutions.com.au linkedin.com/in/rosemariedentesano
