A new blueprint for networking
March 29, 2018
By Brian Maynor
Part of establishing our success is building a network of allies, but that is rarely a topic found in onboarding programs. Not to mention that cultivating a network of supporters and resources traditionally takes 3-5 years.
What if there was a way to shortcut the process?
Rob Cross, Professor of Global Leadership at Babson College, and Peter Gray, professor at UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce tackled this very idea and found some surprising results.
After tracking new hires across companies ranging from a few hundred employees to over 40,000 and comparing their progress in making social connections here is what they found:
1. Broader isn’t necessarily better. Most of us think the more people we connect with helps us build a bigger network faster, but that wasn’t the case. The most successful new hires networkers were very selective with their requests. That doesn’t mean they didn’t reach out and connect with a lot of people; they were just focused on creating win-win moments over adding a name to their contact list. Along with asking lots of questions they offered assistance and ideas whenever possible, which generated positive energy and excitement from the first meeting.
2. Hold off on seeking a mentor. Instead of seeking out a leader or formal mentor, the most successful employees built relationships with key opinion leaders instead. These are leaders who are well connected with the company’s networks and able to bestow knowledge and legitimacy to newcomers, as well as connect them with each other for continued support.
3. Adjust as you go. Once the first year is over, research showed that it was important to change networking strategies to keep them effective. The most successful networkers limited the number of their collaborations with colleagues while simultaneously seeking out connections with similar values and passions across a variety of disciplines and industries.
Establishing a network is about creating mutually beneficial relationships, even if the incentives are more long-term oriented than short-term. Ideally these relationships lead to industry-wide innovation, purposeful work, better performance and more engagement for everyone involved.
Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.
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I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty. Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
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