Unlock the power of your networks
Networking.
For many people, walking into a crowded room of hundreds of unfamiliar faces gives a feeling of uneasiness. For others, the opposite may be felt with a surge of energy and excitement. That is the visual imagery and reaction that you may have when the word “networking” is mentioned. However, these networking events are only just one type of networking.
This article is not about networking types, but a reminder of the benefits and effects that networking can have for women (and men alike). It highlights how networking can have a positive effect on career and ways to engage and grow your network. I will also share practical tips on how to improve your networking skills.
Effect of networking on career success
Networking is important for women at all stages of their career. The benefits of having a strong network are well known. Interactions can facilitate:
an exchange information and ideas
insights from the knowledge and experiences of others
access to new career opportunities
avenues to raise your professional profile
a sense of belonging to a community; and
new professional friendships.
Networking has a positive effect on career success.
More than 80% of women leaders have used networking to join a board, break into the C-Suite, or land a new job with better pay, according to a 2023 networking survey by Chief and Morning Consult. Yet, employers can do more to actively support women with internal and external networking opportunities and time to build their networks. About half (53%) of the women leaders indicated that they were less than fully satisfied with the networking support they receive from their companies.[i]
Research shows that individuals who engage in networking behaviors, especially internal networking, are more satisfied with their careers. In addition, networking contributes to differential salary growth over time.[ii]
But simply being well-connected is not enough. A gender comparative study of social-networks and job-placement success for graduates of an MBA program found that the most significant factor affecting job status after graduation for men was how “central” they were in their networks, in other words, how many highly connected people they have relationships with. For women, however, being “central” and having a tight-knit circle of connections which offered inside perspectives and information such as the company’s leadership culture and politics, was what helped them secure a job.[iii] So women need both to be highly and widely connected and invest time to build stronger circles close to them.
Leverage the power of your network
The key to unlocking a network effect may seem obvious – you just need to make ‘the Ask.’ Yet, noticeably in my network interactions, men seem more at easy making the ask or taking the initiative to offer ways they can help.
Early in my career, I used my network to open doors to new job opportunities. Just by asking for help with an introduction, paved the way for two mobility assignments to Southeast Asia and the United States.
Over time, I have leveraged my network to get guidance and support. I formed my own informal personal advisory board - people that I could connect with, learn from, and at critical times, lean in for their advice. They listened, served as my sounding board for the choices I made, challenged me when needed, and cheered me on.
As I have grown my connections, I realized how powerful my network can be to help others. Over the last decade, I made a deliberate step to volunteer my time to serve as an advisor or coach to others both within and outside of the company I worked with. It not only allowed me to pay it forward to help others but provided a reason to activate my network towards a purpose. As an example, I have asked my connections to spend time with my mentees to share their knowledge and experience and connect them with others in their extended networks. In fact, this example of building a connected network to collectively support others in their career and personal growth became a central idea behind my startup, Meiava which connects mentees with a global network of advisors. Read more: Reignite our Why.
Build a strong professional network
Here are 5 tips that I have learned to help build a strong professional network:
Be intentional. Unlike social media, the quality of your network counts more than the quantity. While you may grow a network of acquaintances; think about the type of people you can learn from and share your ideas and experiences with. Think about the objectives or motives to build your connections. Be efficient with your time to prioritise time for interactions with people inside and outside your organization. Also be intentional to make networking a habit, engaging in activities weekly or monthly to nurture existing and build new relationships.
Build a diverse network. Diversity and chemistry are important dimensions to consider. Think about a mix of diverse characteristics – gender, age, ethnic diversity - for your network and for your personal advisory board. For example, having both women and men as advisors and those from different ethnic backgrounds and age groups provide a spectrum of viewpoints and approaches. Like most relationships in life, having the right chemistry is key to the dynamics of the advisor/coaching relationship. Chemistry may take the form of personality, communication styles, energy and motivation, and similarities in beliefs and values.
Be authentic. Authenticity is vital. Don’t make your interactions transactional. People appreciate it when you take the time to get to know them and offer ways to help them. Show that you appreciated meeting them by sending a timely message and follow-up on any actions.
Be curious and actively listen – Resist doing all the talking about you. Ask questions to find out more about what and how they do things. Stay open minded when connecting with others; getting to know each other you may discover common interests and opportunities to collaborate. Use the chance to learn and be exposed to innovative ideas, a different viewpoint, industries, and trends.
Be a connector – Think about how you can use your network to help others. Believe me, a warm introduction can make an enormous difference towards someone’s goal.
Networking is about cultivating relationships – something women do very well. So, let’s dispel any myths that women are not as good or as confident at networking as men. Whether it is a networking event, on the golf course, informal conversations, or virtual meet ups, it’s about finding networking approaches that work best for you. Ultimately the relationships created can be an incredible asset offering valuable perspectives, timely advice, and help when you or someone in your circle needs it.
Photo: Christina @ wocintechchat | Unsplash
[i] Chief and Morning Consult. The Network Effect How Women Leaders Leverage Connections to Achieve Power and Drive Business Success. July 2023.
[ii] Hans-Georg Wolff and Klaus Moser. University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Effects of Networking on Career Success: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 94, No. 1, 196 –206
[iii] Yang, Yang, Nitesh V. Chawla, and Brian Uzzi. A network’s gender composition and communication pattern predict women’s leadership success. January 2019.