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Networking for Personal and Professional Success
By Will Oglesby
Executive Coaching
Today a typical individual will experience 2 major career
changes, four company changes and two involuntary job
changes in their careers. Developing your own personal
networking approach and using it continuously throughout
your life, will create an abundance of resources available to
you at all times.
We often think of Networking as something you do only when
you are in career transition: a necessary process to go through
to get the job we want, make those connections, and close that
sale. If you were alive in the 80's, you've probably experienced
the 'guerilla warfare' style of networking, (being put on the spot,
made to feel uncomfortable, or feeling used), and it seems that
some of those tactics are still employed today. A recent article
in the New York Times, written by Melinda Ligos, discusses the
feelings of harassment some people feel from those committing
these networking faux pas. Here's an example of what NOT to
do: One individual sent out a mass e-mail holiday greeting
announcing their availability, it read: "Dear Friend: Happy
holidays. I'm still looking for a job. Please forward all contacts
A.S.A.P." Not a good approach.
What if we were to take a new approach to Networking? Instead
of asking others for job leads, contacts and introductions, what
if
you started by asking your contacts what you could do to help
them? Become the individual who goes out of his way to help
without asking for anything in return. One of my favorite sayings
is, "Give more than you expect to receive and you will receive
more than you ever need."
Recently my client, Mike, voiced his concern about reestablishing
his network after several years of neglect. Three years ago, Mike
had developed an extensive network of contacts that were key in
his landing a great job. Once employed though, Mike became
engrossed in his new work, and let his outside contacts slide.
Now
recently unemployed, Mike has the daunting task of reestablishing
contact.
Impossible? No, not at all. Even though it would have been easier
for Mike to keep his network alive, there are many effective
formulas for reestablishing those contacts. Mike now concedes,
"If I had to do it all over again, I would have never lost
touch
with my network and contacts."
Developing, growing, using and maintaining our personal
network can be fun and rewarding. An alive and thriving network
of contacts can create a safety net we all need in today's ever
changing and sometimes volatile job market. There are many ways
to enhance your networking skills, including the 10 Commandments
of Networking (from Power Networking):
1. Give up the "Lone Ranger" Mentality
- ask for help
2. Honor Your Relationships
3. Acknowledge People
4. Manage Yourself as a Resource to others
5. Take the Initiative
6. Be Your Own Best PR Person
7. Ask for What You Want
8. Expand Your Horizons
9. Follow the Golden Rule of Networking - ask questions and LISTEN
10. Network as a Way of Life
Take the quiz, Networking-A Self Assessment that I can send you.
This assessment and the 10 Commandments of Networking comes from
one of the best books I have ever read, Power Networking, 59 Secrets
for Personal and Professional Success, written by Donna Fisher
and Sandy Vilas. Will@Executive-Coaching.com.
About the Coach:
A corporate refugee, Will Oglesby has survived two corporate
mergers, one downsizing, and several dysfunctional workplace
environments. This experience, along with his formal coach training,
allows him to work with his clients in surviving and prospering
in today's tumultuous corporate environment.
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