Get ready to build a network you LOVE, with people who want to help you succeed personally, professionally, and in the community! When you love your network, you’ll find a never-ending supply of energy, inspiration, and people who want to help you grow as a person, as a professional, and as a leader in your community.
In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared a public health crisis caused by loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection. The crisis is impacting our lives at home, at work, and in the community. Many factors contribute to the crisis, but in my experience, we often feel alone because we forget to stop and recognize how connected we are or can be.
Life is ALWAYS a team sport. We are never truly alone and we are more connected than we think. Each of us needs and has a team we can rely on to overcome life’s greatest challenges.
Our network is our team. Networks are the relationships that drive our lives. Yet when we talk about networks, many people get nervous and full of fear. We need to change our perspectives and the way we talk about who is part of our network. For example, my network includes childhood neighbors, classmates, soccer buddies, colleagues, and LinkedIn friends from all over the world. I have many people and “family members” who do cool work and have had very different experiences than me. Our network is all the people in our lives who make us smile because they give us light, lift, strength, and support.
Quick action step: Imagine if you took “work” out of “network.” When you do that, all that’s left is “network.”
As I wrote in a previous blog post: “Networks are safety nets that catch you, trampolines that help you reach new heights, and teams that help you achieve your dreams.“With the right network, you’ll always have the strength, inspiration, and support you need to accomplish remarkable things at work, at home, and in your community. And you’ll be motivated when you share resources, connections, and inspiration to encourage others and support their success.
The Networking Wheel
Many people have resistance to networking because they believe networking is all about asking. But in reality, networking is all about giving. In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to the Networking Wheel as a tool to help you build, grow, nurture, and maintain your network. It’s based on three core principles: curiosity, generosity, and gratitude. These principles serve as the currency you use to invest in your relationships. Focus on these elements and learn how to transform your networking from a series of business exchanges into meaningful, lasting connections.
Reconnection
Let’s explore the activity of reconnecting to get the networking wheel moving. Experience the joy of reconnecting and the energy that comes from meaningful conversations and connections.
Step 1: Reflect and list
-
Invest 15-30 minutes to reflect on your life.
-
List 3-10 people who make you smile. Include people from throughout your life. If they made you smile, list them. For example, you can name the parents of a childhood friend who always made you feel safe and welcome. This is your life and your list, so name all the people who have had a positive impact on your life (teachers, teammates, former boss, coworkers, volunteers, online contacts, and the like).
Step 2: Remember and write down
-
How did you feel when you wrote their names?
-
What memories made you smile?
-
What can you give back that costs you nothing? Words of gratitude, an encouraging reminder, strength and support, energy and inspiration, time or something else.
-
How will you reestablish contact (phone, email, mail, eating something, going for a hike)?
Step 3: Reconnect and enjoy
-
Prioritize your list.
-
Reconnect with one or two people per week (one note and one phone call/meeting).
-
Be in the moment.
-
Take notes about how you’ve been feeling, what they’re doing, what important milestones have been in their lives, and when you’ll be in touch again.
engagement
When reconnecting, focus on the engagement principles you use – curiosity, generosity and gratitude.
-
Curiosity: At the beginning of the conversation, focus on the person. Be curious. Listen. Ask questions. Show genuine interest in what the person is doing (what excites or challenges them) and how they are feeling.
-
Generosity: Offer your time, knowledge and connections where appropriate.
-
Gratitude: Express your gratitude for each other’s time, contacts, resources, and stories often and in many different ways. Express gratitude for something current and something past. Say “thank you” in person, in an email, in a voicemail, or by mail.
Share your experiences
As learning and development professionals, we are called to help others and help them succeed in their professional and personal lives. If you enjoyed the reconnecting exercise, please expand on it and share it with the participants you mentor. Incorporate connection and reconnection activities into onboarding, training, and team meetings. Inspire people to reach out and connect or reconnect with someone today.
Use ATD resources to build your network
1. Get a copy of ATD Guide for Consultants for more networking tips and tools. Throughout the book you will find examples of the power of networking and more tools from me.
2. Join ATD’s online communities to connect and share insights with other professionals.
3. Look for upcoming events with an ATD chapter – start with your nearest local chapter and then expand based on your areas of interest. Chapters across the country offer virtual programs and many have a reciprocal relationship that allows members of other chapters to attend their virtual events.
For more detailed instructions and additional tips on building a network you love, follow me and look out for more of my ATD posts. Let’s inspire, guide and motivate each other to use the power of our networks and Create a world that works better.
