Unlocking the power of networking
Many of us are not born as natural networkers. The term ‘networking’ alone can be an immediate turn-off, and can be dismissed as a waste of time. But why is networking so difficult for many? Is it really a crucial skill to have to be successful in our career?
One of the challenges for many of us, scientists, who usually have very good analytical skills, is that we are often introverted and have a lone-ranger work mentality. After all, we could perform all of our experiments on our own and obtain all of the data we need by ourselves, don’t we? We are going to do it alone, work hard, and succeed, right? However the rule of the game changes once we leave (grad) school and enter the professional life. In school, harnessing the abilities and resources of other people is called cheating. In life, it’s called ‘using your network.’ People who do this in school are considered cheaters. In life, they are called ‘connected ‘.
It can be difficult for many of us to get used to the changed rules. Not to mention the strong negative connotations networking has for some people. Some call it ‘schmoozing’ or to ‘kiss up’. Nobody wants to be that manipulative and insincere person.
It is interesting to note that the term networking has been understood as a business tool, a set of tasks, something you are supposed to be doing to succeed. At the same time, it would probably have been less intimidating if it was simply called ‘making friends’. By thinking of networking as a way of building relationships, it does not need to be an insincere or ‘extroverted’ activity as people think.
So, how do we build relationships? Certainly, you already know it. But let us discuss the two often overlooked points, based loosely on the core ideas of Gale Porter from her book, Your Network is Your Net Worth.
Know yourself
Knowing yourself is the first step to connecting with others. Know yourself well enough that you are aware of your weaknesses or barriers that prevent you from connecting, such as negative thinking, low self-esteem, or fear of public speaking. By knowing this you will be better prepared to act upon it.
The next step is to know your passion and purpose, your raison d'être. Any successful organisation has a well-defined raison d'être, which is usually outlined in their vision and mission statement. You could too. A well-defined raison d'être will help you in presenting yourself to the outside world in an authentic way, as well as guide your steps and actions.
Once you have identified the barriers and defined your raison d'être, start building new relationships with people who share (some of the) same values and interests as you. It will feel more natural as you will be more genuinely interested in the topics of discussion as well as the person you talk to. This can be the basis for advancing your networking skills, as well as a foundation of a strong network based on common interests.
Providing value (‘Give Give Get’)
Networking is often misunderstood as a transactional relationship, as if it is a sales activity. But nothing could be further than the truth: the key to uncovering the value of connections lies in helping others when you don’t expect anything in return – therefore the phrase ‘give give get’ coined by Ms. Porter, namely to put more energy in giving instead of receiving. You can practice `give give get’ simply by asking your connections, “How can I help?”. It can be a simple gesture, such as introducing your new connection to your existing network, or a more challenging one, such as sharing your expert opinion on a certain subject that may help your new connection to solve a problem. Volunteering at an organisation or event will also help you get to know people in the field, while at the same time show them what you are capable of. Afterwards, don’t forget to maintain your new relationships. You can do so by, for instance, sending a simple birthday greeting or sharing an article that you think might interest a certain person.
To conclude, networking is a powerful tool for success that requires you to be your (1) authentic and (2) generous self. Anybody can unlock the power of networking and enjoy its benefits, you included. Bear in mind that you may not enjoy the benefit of networking right away, as relationship-building takes time. Do start now, as the earlier you start, the sooner you will reap its benefits.
Written by Ratna Lim
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