The power of networking

Gut vernetzt zu sein ist wichtig für die Entwicklung der beruflichen Karriere. KEN TAYLOR sprach darüber mit Elizabeth Wakeling, der Vorsitzenden einer Organisation für persönliche Assistenten und Assistentinnen von Führungskräften.

Often, we network only with friends or people from our own company. This limits our ability to develop and connect with other people.

Taylor: Networking can also be an excellent way to open the door to future career opportunities.

Wakeling: That’s true. I know of quite a few cases where members of IMA have successfully recommended other members for jobs they were leaving. People get to know you, so, they are more likely to think of you when job opportunities arise. You are more likely to receive introductions and referrals.

Taylor: If you have been headhunted in that way, you can also use it to leverage your present position. If you are in demand, it helps make your boss appreciate your worth! Wakeling: Indeed. It improves your credibility. It also shows you are well connected! And these connections may prove valuable to your boss or company. Besides that, having a network is important for your personal development.

Taylor: Yes, that’s true. There are many ways in which people can learn from each other.

Wakeling: As a member-led organization, we encourage our members to try out different skills, such as presenting at an event, working on a committee or leading an organizing team.

Taylor: Organizations such as yours are also a perfect forum for targeted training activities.

Wakeling: IMA organizes a variety of training activities — we also hold two international training events in different member countries. Guests attend from all over the world to share knowledge and good practice, and make international connections.

Taylor: That kind of event can also help boost people’s self-esteem. Do you also organize mentoring schemes? Mentoring is a powerful development tool. Wakeling: Absolutely. Our members have access to mentors and the opportunity to participate in mentoring others. We also provide personal development training.

Taylor: Can you give me an example? Wakeling: We regularly organize events with outside speakers or trainers. At our next European council meeting, we’ll be learning about “nudge theory” — how to influence others positively and indirectly. We’ll also be learning about how to work smarter, not harder.

Taylor: In a network such as yours, you can easily find out the training needs of members. You can then tailor training programmes to those needs.

Wakeling: Yes. In our European meetings, we always have some form of cultural exchange, too — to remind ourselves that we are an international organization.

Taylor: That sounds interesting. Networking events like yours need to be useful, but they also need to be fun and motivating.

Wakeling: It’s great fun — we spend the day learning. Then, in the evening, we gather to see the sights and try local food. Over time, our professional relationships often become friendships.

Taylor: What advice would you give to a new member of a professional network? Wakeling: Networking is an opportunity to unleash your social butterfly and meet new people! So, show up, go to events and professional functions. Volunteer to host an event, speak at a networking event, write an article for the newsletter, write a blog and assist with exhibitions and conferences. Professor Herminia Ibarra wrote, “Networking is a lot like nutrition and fitness: we know what to do; the hard part is making it a top priority. And the only way to become convinced that networking is a priority is to start doing it and see the results for yourself.”

Taylor: Sounds like good advice to me.

“A good professional network connects you to peers for support and guidance”

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