One networking goal I overlooked early on was building relationships with competitors and leaders in other industries. Hyper focusing in my immediate circle left a huge blind spot. The benefit to growing my network beyond my clients and colleagues is benchmarking and discovering great practices that transcend industries.

To build my network as a new leader, I really need to be a connector who can bridge the gaps between people, ideas, and opportunities. Being a storyteller is great either. Crafting and sharing compelling narratives that inspire, inform, and influence others.

In my experience, networking helps you in trying times but before you build your network your groundwork should be strong. When you expect people to contribute something valuable in your career or your professional life you also have to consider what value can you add to the other person’s life. Be a giver without expecting any return, Be authentic, and set your goal from the network you are trying to build and work on it. As the saying goes, ‘Networking is more about farming than hunting’. Be a good listener and problem-solver, stay focused on your goal, and encourage people in your network to take an interest in your goal. Network beyond your comfort zone and diversification is important. Attend seminars, Industry meet-ups helps a lot.

From experience, whether you aim to learn, mentor, expand, or explore, the emphasis should always be on cultivating a quality network over quantity. Clarity of purpose guides meaningful connections.

People in an organization can be classified into three broad types - (i) those that are willing to help; (ii) those who are indifferent; and (iii) the problem creators or bullies. I try to find colleagues that belong to the first category and they help me navigate and stay positive. It is also important to stay calm and be patient. Things are bound to fall in place if you have the skillset or if you are willing to acquire the skillset. Most people want us to succeed.

It's equally crucial not to become overly reliant on personal relationships. Overly favoring personal connections over objective criteria in decision-making or team management can lead to perceptions of bias and favoritism, potentially undermining trust within the team. As a leader, it's essential to strike a balance between building personal relationships and maintaining fairness and transparency. While forming strong connections with your team members can enhance collaboration and morale, it's equally important to base decisions on merit, performance, and organizational goals. This ensures that your leadership is perceived as objective and values-driven, which can contribute to a healthier team dynamic.

Establishing a strong connection with your team is paramount for a new leader. It goes beyond mere interaction; it's about building trust, fostering rapport, and encouraging collaboration with those you engage with daily. Achieving this involves taking a personal interest in your team members, understanding their goals, and providing both recognition and constructive feedback. Creating opportunities for team members to connect with each other through activities, casual conversations, or peer learning sessions enhances overall teamwork. Clear communication, knowledge sharing, and supportive feedback are vital components. It's important to steer clear of negativity and retaliation, as these behaviors have no place in effective leadership.

As new leader, cultivate your network by being genuinely interested in others' success. Attend industry events, actively participate in discussions, and follow up with new contacts. Offer value without immediate expectation of return—share insights, connect people, and endorse skills. Remember, networking is a marathon, not a sprint; nurture relationships with regular, meaningful interactions. Your network's strength lies in the mutual exchange of value over time.

Building your network as a new leader is like nurturing a garden! Start by reaching out to your colleagues, lending a helping hand, and showing genuine interest in their work. Attend meet-ups, conferences, or even virtual events to meet like-minded folks. Don't forget to listen more than you talk, and always be open to learning from others. Oh, and a little kindness and authenticity go a long way in making meaningful connections!

Personal connection is important, and it is indispensable to delve into the specifics of people's roles. As a new leader, I would regularly hold one-on-one meetings to understand each member's unique challenges, tactics, and professional goals. This close engagement helps to lead more effectively and offer tailored support, strengthening the bond within the team.

One of the exercises I still find extremely useful is to map out my network into 3 As : Acquaintances, Allies & Advocates And to continuously try and move people from acquaintances to allies to advocates who would put their reputation on stake to vouch for you. It was something I learned in an executive training 6 years ago and stayed with me . More interesting is to make it a 3 by 3 matrix superimposing the 3As to include the current company, domain and also industry . It starts out being lopsided but over time,with intentional work gets balanced. And always,one has to make the first step and be willing to put in the efforts and offer help- it cannot be a one sided expectation that the network is there to help them.We get what we put out.

There is great value in seeking divergent views. We should be eager to engage with leaders outside of your industry or traditional networking circle. This cross-pollination of learning and experiences enriches the overall leadership perspective. Different domains have different problem-solving approaches, and this has helps to think outside the box. So, don't just limit networking to your industry—embrace the vast wisdom offered by leaders of different fields.

Seeking assistance from other leaders is immensely beneficial, especially when navigating challenges. Connecting with them and requesting guidance on areas where you may face difficulties is key. Actively meeting and seeking their advice can provide valuable insights and solutions to problems you encounter.

Get out and about, meet as many people as possible and understand their roles, their challenges and how they fit the wider business. As you grow your network you’ll learn more about the different drivers and which levers to pull. “What do you do and how can my team help you”.

As a new leader, building your network is an unknown journey. Establish a vision for transforming society or your business, backed by personal goals. Connect with like-minded individuals for guidance and support. Learn from strategic partners and mentors, emphasizing a give-and-take dynamic. Be authentic, caring about others' goals as much as yours. Show vulnerability and genuine interest while networking. Utilize LinkedIn to expand your reach globally. Get excited about socializing and making valuable contributions to engage others in your network.

Timeblock-specific time for networking. Whether this is walking around the office for chats or specific 1-2-1 networking time. Densifying your networking this way has great returns.

Expanding your horizons is essential for future growth. Leveraging diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences can offer invaluable insights. Platforms like LinkedIn showcase stories and insights, providing an avenue to connect with individuals sharing similar interests and gain knowledge from their experiences. Engaging in cross-functional teams, community projects, or exploring online courses and podcasts further broadens your understanding and opens doors to new opportunities.

Look for local networking events, meetups, and business gatherings in your area. Building relationships with professionals in your community can be valuable. So many online groups exist that can help you expand your network.

Getting into foreign settings and establishing a friendship or professional relationship is a great way to build your network. There's a very cliche Hollywood saying "I know a guy", you want that to be you. You want to have people in your industry who both think like you and think different, but also people in other industries. LinkedIn events, public networking events are great ways to start.

A great way to expand your horizons is to create a podcast or webinar series where you interview colleagues from other countries. Start it not to be famous but as a learning experience. The collateral effect is that you'll be creating resources for others to learn from, also. You can also pitch yourself to speak at events not within your jurisdiction. You can submit papers to international journals within your industry. The possibilities are endless so have a plan!

Nurturing your relationships within your network is essential. Seeking advice and guidance from your connections is crucial, recognizing that building and maintaining relationships is an ongoing process. Staying connected, seeking feedback, and expressing gratitude contribute to the strength and longevity of these connections.

Just like a plant: Your professional network needs to be nurtured and cared for in order to grow and thrive. By regularly following up, staying in touch, and adding value to your connections, you can build strong and lasting relationships that will benefit you throughout your career.

If you interact with me, I will be able to interact with you to the best of my ability. But you have to understand, everyone is busy. So after initial interactions, Could you follow up with people whom you share common interests with? Try and maintain communication to nurture relationships over time. And always remember, relationships are a two-way street.

New leaders have an interesting perspective that they bring to the table - a new view of the future. As a new leader, identify the work that will be on your plate in 1, 2, or 3 years - and identify the 1, 2, or 3 people that are doing that work now in some way, somewhere. Reach out and explain that you see their work as important to your future. Seek their counsel. Be transparent and your network will grow.

Nurturing any significant relationship takes effort. You have to make investments of all kinds, not just money. For this reason, it may be more prudent to have a moderately sized network with relationship tiers. Knowing what you need from each relationship will also determine how much effort you put it. Not every relationship in your network will rank the same. Some relationships may require lots of in-person contact; others may just need a phone call every month.

Stay true to yourself*; it's the simplest way to live without the stress of keeping up a façade. Just be the real you, all the time. Don't hold back on sharing what you know. Offer that quick tip, share your insights, and don't be stingy with your knowledge. By helping others, you’ll be remembered and appreciated way more than if you just kept it all to yourself. *disregard this if your true self is horrible. 😁

Life is complicated enough and you don't need to make any harder by pretending to be someone that you are not. Being authentic is simple and easy and you will earn greater respect and trust form your network by just being yourself.

Authenticity is important if doesn't being yourself how you can put yourself in front of network. Don't fake. Faking decreases your confidence.

1. Be in the market to offer help not seek help. 2. Be vulnerable, speak from the depth of your heart. People can see passion in your eyes when you are genuine. 3. Be open for the feedback.

Today’s world lags one thing and that is authenticity. A leader should work first on his authenticity so people can trust him and start sharing their problems openly with him. In this way, he can grow his business more

When it comes to networking, doing the background research of the people that you want to network with is important. You can use the acronym FROG. F for Family, R for recreational hobby, O for Occupation and G for General interest. Because of social media, you can find a lot of information on the internet. Having some information before meeting someone can help you in making good connection and establishing rapport quickly

Identify Peers in Your Industry: Seek out professionals in your industry through events, online platforms, or associations. Initiate Connections: Reach out to industry peers, expressing your interest in connecting and learning from their experiences. Participate in Industry Events: Attend conferences and workshops relevant to your field to meet professionals in person. Utilize Professional Platforms: Leverage LinkedIn and other networking platforms to connect with professionals and engage in discussions. Learn from Wins and Mistakes: Actively seek insights from peers about challenges they've overcome and the strategies behind their successes.

To build a strong network as a new leader, follow these steps: 1. Set clear networking goals. 2. Foster strong relationships within your team. 3. Connect with experienced leaders for mentorship. 4. Attend industry events to expand your network. 5. Nurture relationships with ongoing communication and genuine interest in others' success. 6. Be authentic and generous, offering support without expecting immediate returns. These actions will help new leaders establish and expand their networks, fostering personal and professional growth.

Networking played a pivotal role in shaping someone's future. A newcomer in the field of digital marketing sought guidance from the author of a book she had used to learn the subject. By connecting with the author on LinkedIn, a valuable mentorship began. The guidance received through networking became instrumental, ultimately contributing to her successful career journey.

Para mí los mejores líderes cumplen 10 roles: El "rol de cabeza visible" donde este es la imagen de la empresa, "líder" hacia su equipo y "enlace" tejiendo buenos contactos y haciendo networking. Con la información conseguida podrá tomar mejores decisiones "rol de monitor". Pasando por la necesidad de tener que “hipercomunicar” hacia dentro de la organización "rol de divulgador" y también hacia el exterior de la organización "rol de portavoz". Por último en la toma de decisiones, está aquel rol en el que la persona está constantemente con la vista fuera, observando "rol de empresario". Y el responsable de aplicar medidas correctivas, cuando la organización se enfrenta a perturbaciones o problemas importantes "rol de solucionador".