Building an Authentic Network

In a world where things change by the time you wake up each morning, it can be challenging to know which norm and practice is still relevant and meaningful for you. One practice that hasn't changed since the beginning of time is the ability to leverage 'who you know' to advance in your career. These connections are even more fruitful when they are authentic. The people you connect with often need you just as much as you need them. People like to connect with who they like, simple as that. There is much to be learned from simply being yourself and establishing actual friendships at the base of your network strategy. Speaking of strategy, keep in mind you don't have to look too far to create a beneficial network. Sometimes your network is your family. Sometimes your friends. At times they can be your colleagues and business connections. You are able to benefit in so many ways from all of these groups since they offer new perspectives, shared vision, answers to your professional and personal questions, and much more. The resources offered in this section speak to the many benefits you can reap when you invest in building an authentic network for yourself. Dig in!

We all are lucky these days; we can use LinkedIn and other relevant sites to leverage our expertise and digital presence to connect with our networks and their networks' networks. You can even exchange business cards in person and later find their information online, providing insight that can help you deepen the connection and find more areas of overlap. One resource below suggests you consider informational interviews to create an opportunity for you to talk with someone about what they do. These informational interviews can be with "peers, colleagues, people who work at companies where you’d like to work or those who have jobs you’re interested in." Meetings are also easy ways to gather information about someone you would like to add to your network. Keep in mind, it's quality over quantity. You can have a handful of meaningful contacts and they can be more valuable than hundreds of non- pertinent ones.

By now you hopefully understand how giving to your network helps you build stronger, more authentic relationships. There are so many ways you can add value to your network, detailed in the articles and video below. One article even provides a detailed list to help you increase your value as a professional and be seen by your network as you share your expertise. Some suggestions mentioned in this article include: the importance of following up, becoming a mentor, finding a mentor, and many other small steps that yield quick and impressive results. Overall your relationships should always be mutually beneficial, ensuring you are receiving what you need as you offer what they need. Yes, that simple.