When we think of knowing how to surround ourselves, we often think of the team: how to surround ourselves with talent, how to make them grow, etc. For this article, let’s do something different. Let’s think about how managers can surround themselves with a business network, a network of partners.
What is the objective of knowing how to surround yourself outside your organization? If you don’t see value today, you’ll see it later in your career. When you have executive management positions, you will feel that you can no longer really “confide” internally. Or when you are going to develop your strategic sense, you will want different opinions, quality people with whom you will be able to exchange, ventilate and brainstorm. Or knowing how to surround yourself with people to recruit or change jobs.
Your network of contacts will be key to these goals and probably others that I didn’t think of when writing this article 😊
I imagine that you have a limited time to develop this professional sphere that is your network of contacts.
This article presents criteria to help you build or revisit your network, as well as optimize your time.
4 criteria to consider to know how to surround yourself
Here’s how to surround yourself with the best people for you to develop a satisfying relationship for both parties!
1. Your goal
In other words, why do you want to meet new people? What are the long-term outcomes you want to achieve?
Connect? To learn? Share? Help?
Depending on the stage of your career and your level of management, your goals may be quite different! In the examples below, there are some generalities. My goal is to tell you that your goals can evolve and that everyone is unique, regardless of their age group. So, take the examples below as inspirations!
In our twenties or thirties, our professional network is often made up of colleagues we met at training, conferences or previous jobs. They have similar positions or similar experience in a related or different field.
You may also want to have a few mentors in your network.
In your forties, you may have reached executive positions and your network and needs are different. Depending on your ambitions, you will look for people like you, different, mentors or maybe even recruits to mentor.
And around your fifties or sixties, it’s different, it’s often more of a network where your values are the same, long-time customers, recruits, business partners you refer, etc.
For example, I have an objective related to the development of my English-speaking network to develop this market.
2. Your key features
What are the “criteria” or characteristics you are looking for in the people you want to get closer to?
Does this sound strange? If you don’t have much “free” time or time to network, it’s best to know what you’re looking for in order to achieve your goals. And then, that doesn’t mean you’re not flexible. This is only strategic and optimal.
If you are president, do you want to surround yourself with other presidents from other sectors? From the same sector? If you are a manager, do you want to surround yourself with people of the same level to share your challenges, or rather with people of a higher level to be a mentor? Would you rather meet different people who share common values, for example on leadership?
If you are not sure, meet and your criteria will become clearer as you go along!
Examples of characteristics: an industry, a culture, a level of management, precise expertise, etc.
3.What you have to share
Adding people to your network means creating a reciprocal relationship. The person has certain characteristics, and so do you! Don’t be shy, you probably have more to offer than you think!
You have expertise, you come from a culture, you know an industry, or you have the talent to connect people together and have a great network!
Doing the exercise of what you have to share will give you confidence and can make a nice introduction.
Whether on LinkedIn or in person, introduce yourself by saying: Hello, I’m Geneviève Dicaire, professional coach and trainer, and over time, I know several industries and realities. I love learning about how businesses work and it inspires me on my blog. Currently, I am looking to make connections in the English-speaking environment.
In other words: who you are, what you like / what you can offer.
Then a more or less direct question depending on your objective. Like what:
- And you, what is your role?
- And you, why are you attending this event?
We could do several scenarios, but essentially, just introduce yourself, in a few sentences, ask a question and try to get to know the person in front of you better.
Are you shy? Let’s say you do a training course or attend a conference a year and from there you gain a contact that you maintain. After 10 years, you have 10 key contacts. It’s better than zero!
One step is better than not moving forward!
If you’re not sure about your goal, your characteristics, or what you want to learn, it might be time to take a step back! Here is an article to help you as well as an online self-study.
4. Get out of your comfort zone
It’s good to have people in our network who take us out of our comfort zone. Who have a different personality, who have a different path, a different culture. Your network can also act as an opportunity.
Personally, I always have at least one mastermind group per year, lasting a few months, with different people, from various sectors, while having one thing in common: the person who organizes the mastermind and the objective of the group!
In conclusion
The invitation here is not to minimize the fact of having a network and to make it grow with your professional career. You never know who you can help, inspire, and vice-versa.
Virtually? It works too! Simply, allow yourself to chat with several people if you can. For example, if you’re part of an event where the host creates interactions in a subgroup or virtual environment, and you have chemistry with a person, write down their name and find it on LinkedIn.
Introvert? You still need a network! In person, sit at a table with strangers, an extrovert is likely to talk 😉 to you Otherwise, place yourself in a place that is conducive to discussion, near appetizers for example or a window with a view, or it is easy to comment on something to start a conversation.