Vacation, work, and just "stuff" have kept me from touching base with you all the last three weeks, but I'm back and ready to wrap up this four part series on the Triangle of Success. To do a quick recap, the foundation begins with Education, often the base of the success of anyone. From there we discussed the importance of Branding Building and how you must be cognizant of it and control it at all times. Third, we focused on Political Savvy and how it's not just for government officials. And now, we will end this with the last part of the Triangle of Success: Networking.
For many, networking is something to do when one is looking for a job. It stays in the back of individuals' minds from time to time, as something they "should" do, but they always feel they don't have enough time to do so. That is, until they lose their job for whatever reason, and then they have ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD. The problem with this is that it will not be anywhere near as effective during this time since your focus will be on finding a job and not just making great connections. Also, if one had done this earlier, it is very likely that she/she would not be looking for a job in the first place. There are three general reasons why one should make networking a priority, regardless of how little time he or she may.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW...
This is the age old adage that still is very applicable to our world today. Networking allows you to make connections with individuals that you may never have had the opportunity to meet at all. These individuals could results in mentor/mentoring opportunities, new employment opportunities, or just good connections that will help grow your brand throughout your geographic area. At various networking events, you could meet a high level executive who may think you are just the person they have been looking for in relation to a new strategic initiative or project they are kicking off. You may run into someone who is just what you're company is looking for and could have the opportunity to help someone else out. Networking opens up your world to a whole slew of people that could bring positiveness to you in a number of different ways.
IT'S IMPROVES YOUR SOCIAL SKILLS
Many individuals do not desire to go to networking events because they feel rather awkward walking up to a stranger and holding a conversation. It can be difficult to strike up an engaging conversation with someone you have never met before because there is a lack of familiarity with what makes this person tick and what are their specific interests. There are a few people that have mastered this technique, and it pays dividends for them in their ability to read people quickly and react to them appropriately in various situations. This is a skill that will make you great at many things in life, with one of those things being your job. You will only improve this by going to networking events and working through the awkwardness to get better. Just like dancing, when you first started, it will be somewhat awkward and embarrassing. However, (if you were lucky), you were a kid when you learned to dance and didn't care because you were having fun. Have this same mentality at networking events. Just have fun in getting to know new people. You may not be perfect in the first few events you attend, but as you work on your networking craft and improve, the payoff will come.
IF YOU DON'T DO IT, YOU'RE PUTTING YOURSELF AT A HUGE DISADVANTAGE
I like to generally stay positive when it comes to giving advice on certain things, but this is just a reality. Every day, the working world is realizing the importance of networking more, and if you are someone who refuses to participate in it because of your lack of time or interest, you are at a big disadvantage to those individuals who are making it an integral part of their career strategy. They are making the contacts and connections that are putting them in place for promotions or opportunities within other companies that you may be as, or even more, qualified. If you continue to ignore this important part of a long term strategic vision for your career, you will be sorely left behind by others, as they move to the C-suite and you stay within middle management, if not lower.
Networking isn't easy (especially at first) and can be somewhat intimidating at times. However, if you make the commitment to make time for it and work at getting better, it can become a fun and entertaining event, as you make great contacts and friends, while advancing your career at the same time.
Next week, I'll wrap up the four part seriess of the Triangle of Success by sharing with your exactly HOW to plan and execute a strategic network attack. Until then, Happy Networking.
Ken Middleton is an Account Manager at TEKsystems that specializes in IT staffing and services. He is a graduate of UNC-Pembroke and current MBA student at Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech.
