Why Women Need to Network Strategically

Are you networking strategically? 

When I was in my early twenties I had a mentor tell me to be in as many organizations and boards as possible to “network.” I signed up for nine boards and was super busy running to all of the meetings. Each week my schedule was super full and I felt very important because I was sooooo busy. 

Here’s the thing I quickly realized by going to all of those meetings. Very little was accomplished at the meetings that could have been a well thought out email. Most of the networking was complaining about things they wanted to be changed but blamed someone else for. I’d sit there wondering how this was helping me grow my reputation or our organization, and I could not figure it out. If anything being on all of these boards and networking full-time was taking me away from my goal of doing a great job at my work. 

After I left that position I gave up networking completely. I was networked out and each time someone invited me to a networking event I’d politely say no. Instead, I would take the time I could be networking and I’d build my business, write a useful article, record a podcast, work on my next book, read books, go on a hike, prepare a training, or get my nails done. 

Here’s what I did to stay connected with brilliant people. I connected with them and I set up a time to chat with them. I’d find people I wanted to learn from and ask questions. I’d read books, listen to their podcasts, or take their courses. I’m intentional about surrounding myself with brilliant people who have done brilliant things and I can learn from them.

If I could gift you one piece of advice for this year is to eliminate the thought that you need to network all the time. You actually should be very intentional about where and whom you are spending your time with. You need to network strategically. Find specific people you want to connect with and connect with them. It doesn’t have to be a regular Rotary meeting or board meeting. Actually, I find that you can have a deeper connection with people when you contact them and say that you’ve been following their work and would like to learn from them. 

When you think about networking you want to be very specific about what outcome you need:

1. Who specifically do I need to connect with to grow my business?

2. Whom could I learn from?

3. Whom would I like to mastermind or have as a thinking partner?

Too often we use networking events as excuses to go drink coffee or wine. What we really need to consider is who is it we need in our professional network to learn and grow with? It’s better for you personally and professionally to have a network of a few brilliant people because those people will help lift you to higher levels of success!