Tips For Nurturing Professional Network  

Most of us realise that we need to cultivate professional relationships. Still, when it comes to prioritising our daily activities, investing time in developing meaningful relationships that can also support our career aspiration falls to the bottom of our priority list. This is particularly hard for those who don’t see themselves as natural networkers.

Networking doesn’t have to be painful. Here are some common obstacles preventing us from building a more strategic network:

1. Keeping professional relationships in strict isolation

We often hesitate to blend professional and social aspects, for example, jog with a colleague or have an informal coffee with an important client.

Of course, your colleagues do not have to be your friends but try to avoid treating all professional relationships in strict isolation. If you don’t find a suitable space for your professional and social side to blend, you may fail to build trust with key people and, consequently, put yourself off the radar for a more significant role or another important step you wish to take. 

2. Too homogeneous network 

Check if your network consists of people with similar views and backgrounds – those we easily have good chemistry with.

Intentionally diversifying your professional network can give access to valuable, diverse inputs that support better decision-making and personal growth.

3. Failing to nurture meaningful relationships

Strategic networking helps you achieve your career goals when you consciously approach it like other significant projects. Your strategic network is a living thing that requires your ongoing attention. The last thing you want is to get in touch with someone who doesn’t remember you or miss out on a great opportunity because you are not on someone’s radar. 

To make your networking approach strategic, intentionally nurture meaningful relationships within your professional network. This approach applies to any relationship, whether it be with your team members, current or potential clients, internal or external stakeholders. 

 Here are some tips for nurturing your relationships:

• Be genuinely interested in getting to know the whole person; a career is only one aspect of what makes us human beings. Every human being wants to feel significant, so show genuine interest in getting to know the person. 

• Add value and offer help. Networking is not about your needs only, so research or ask what might be helpful to others. It could be a small introduction or involvement in something more significant. If your contacts help you in some way, let them know they have been helpful.

• Organise a group catch-up with people who might benefit from knowing each other. This approach might create an opportunity to collaborate on something more significant and efficiently use your networking time.

• Follow-up in a structured way. Map your contacts according to the common ground you share and commit to check-in in an organised way such as, frequency, timing, or way of connecting. 

Ask yourself: 

What kind of networking strategy would help me grow?  

What would be my best contribution to my existing networks? What about a potentially new network? 

How could I leverage my relationships in support of my personal and professional aspirations? 

Redefine networking to be about your growth – not just about your career goals. When you surround yourself with courageous, authentic leaders who prioritise personal growth, go after their dreams and pull others as they grow, you will shine even brighter. And by doing so, you will also lift others.