A friend had lost his job. We were having coffee together and he was outlining his options. I asked, “What about your network?” He gave me a puzzled look and said, “What do you mean?” I followed through by asking about his contacts with peers in similar positions, professional organizations, and so forth. No, he couldn’t really think of anybody! Somehow this had never been on his radar.
Networking is a core leadership skill. The basic idea of networking is to connect with people in in your professional community for encouragement, knowledge sharing, and broadening your presence. Networking is important not just for finding a job but for contributing to your field. It has been vital in my growth and service as a minister.
In Lead with Quiet Confidence, Jennifer Marcou identifies networking as a skill vital for every professional, including introverts. She quotes Earl G. Graves, Sr., founder of Black Enterprise on the topic: “What makes networking work is that it sets up win-win situations in which all parties involved get to take something home. Networking is a sharing process. Until you understand that, you won’t have much of a network.”
Marcou also cites the underlying neuroscience that concludes “hidden deep within our neural circuits are mechanisms that reward generosity, force connections, and even ensure our survival . . . This evolutionary programming explains why helping others often feels so inherently rewarding and meaningful.”
As a core leadership skill, Marcou explains that networking can help with the following:
- Identify job opportunities/career advancement (probably what most people think of when they think of networking).
- Develop partnerships.
- Identify a mentor.
- Find investors.
- Identify new customers.
- Develop new skills.
- Make friends.
- Help others with your knowledge, connections, experience.
Networking is a two-way street. When we realize this, the process becomes less stressful and dreaded! We are both adding and receiving value in the process. Marcou points out that introverts have great listening skills. This goes a long way in developing rapport with others.
A young adult friend recently lost his job in a corporate shake-up. He is a good candidate and was able to set up a number of interviews. But the best offer came through his professional network—a person he worked with in another setting brought him to the attention of a colleague in the company that offered him a position.
Networking works!
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