How to recharge your Professional Networks?

One of the best pieces of professional advice I have received is building my network before I need it. I learned that growing my network needed to be a part of my career development planning. When I planned to write about the topic of networking in December, I had no idea what January 2023 would bring and how important our professional networks would be in these times. A lot of us have been neglecting our networks due to the pandemic.
 
In this blog post, we will explore five important questions to help us take stock and plan for our professional networks. Check out the other "Her Career" posts for tips and resources to help you thrive professionally.
 
Do you understand the benefits of having a professional network?

Like with many things in our lives, for you to have a solid network, you need to see and believe that it is beneficial. It takes work, and we know that It is easier to invest in doing something when we see that it is valuable. Professional networks serve multiple purposes, such as connecting you with people who have skills you can learn from, providing access to jobs or new projects, expanding your perspective, or providing opportunities to leverage your expertise in the service of others.

 
Strategies to consider

• Reflect on the benefits of growing your network
• Document how your professional network helped you in the past

 
What does your professional network look like? 
Networking experts group professional networks into these three types: operational, personal, and strategic. The operational network serves the purpose of helping you get work done effectively within your organization, while personal networks help your professional development, and strategic networks are most useful to gain clarity on future prospects or plans. All three types of networks are crucial for a successful career. The exercise of mapping your network and writing down the names of people you actively connect with in your network is helpful.
 
Strategies to consider

• Map out your professional network with the names of folks and the type of networks 
• Document how you stay actively connected with your networks

 
What area do you have gaps in your network?
Mapping out your network allows you to see where you can create better networks. A crucial part of maintaining a solid network is knowing what areas we can build out more. After mapping my network, I found that I needed to develop my strategic network. I also learned that I was no longer actively engaging with people outside my company. I like to remind myself that I have built networks in the past and can create new ones as needed.
 
Strategies to consider

• Identify the types of networks that you need to develop
• Create a plan for how you would build these networks

 
What is holding you back from building your networking? 
There are people who really enjoy networking. Some of them are natural, and others have mastered the skill of networking. Although I am an extrovert, building my professional networks did not come naturally to me. After doing some self-reflection, I found that my fear of rejection held me back from networking. I really struggled with reaching out to people. One thing that helped me was having a template that I leveraged to reach out to people. It helped me clarify why I was reaching out to them and how I could also bring value to them. It is less daunting to reach out to people now, and I remind myself that their willingness to connect is out of my control.
 
Strategies to consider

• Reflect on your fears of networking and what is holding you back
• Think of ways you can overcome the barriers 

 
How can you maintain your professional network? 
It is essential to continue maintaining our networks. Our professional networks need to change over time. As we grow and develop in our Careers, we need different types of networks. This is a reminder that professional networking is something that is ongoing. It takes continuous work and learning to build networks to grow with us. Our connections are a critical part of having a successful career. I have had to plan and be intentional about building my network.
 
Strategies to consider

• Create a plan for maintaining your professional network
• Surround yourself with people who are investing in their networks 

 
Final Thoughts
We are responsible for our networks. As in our personal lives, the people we surround ourselves with in our professional lives matter a lot. You will reap the rewards of setting time and energy aside to grow and maintain your network.
 
Call to Action

• Map out your professional network
• Get clear on the barriers holding you back
• Commit to investing in your professional networks

 
Great Resources
What is networking and why is it so important?
To Take Charge of Your Career, Start by Building Your Tribe 
Learn to Love Networking
4 Solid Strategies for Expanding Your Professional Network
How Leaders Create and Use Networks