"You need to network more, market your skills and yourself.”Do those very words strike terror into your heart; leave you with a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach?
Not an uncommon reaction for women! While many men appear to be comfortably successful networkers, we as women often struggle to find the balance of communicating our skills, strengths, and talents in a way that feels authentic for us. Our worries about coming across as self-serving, conceited, or bragging can hold us back from participating in an activity that is crucial to career advancement. But take heart, it is not an impossible task!
Break it down into simple steps:
1. Define your network:
Think out of the box! As you do so, be creative, look not only at your contacts, but their contacts as well. Consider your professional alliances, affiliations, associations, peers, and colleagues.
2. Take the time to map your leadership network. Use a mind-mapping tool and have some fun with it!
3. Talk to connections & colleagues let them know what you are doing and ask for their support.
Get prepared! Some basic requirements for leadership networking are:
1. Be your authentic self. Create a simple one-to-two line introductory statement that feels natural to you and then practice it until you can speak it easily.
2. Have some resources that you can share with people. These can be as simple as information or access to some of your contacts.
3. Thoughtful, purposeful, and authentic use of your power. For networking purposes, power consists of your leadership reputation, the organizational position that you hold, and your network connections.
4. Communication skills: the ability to listen is paramount! Listening to hear, absorb, and draw out information from others. Know when to listen and when to speak.
5. Cut yourself some slack – don’t panic if you don’t get your introductory statement perfect at first. Remember you are the only one that knows what it’s supposed to be.
Relax, observe, and create some opportunities to share your wonderful wisdom with others.
