I had an onsite training session today, which is rare and a reminder of how much I like being in a physical room with someone. There is just so much more connection, as there is less distraction. I only see this client once every two months, so it is a bit different to the weekly ones, but it works for what we are looking to do. In general, it is about career growth through identifying gaps wherever they appear, and then taking steps to fill them. Today, we spent most of the time talking about networking.
Sounds douchey.
But I think that is because it has been overused in the wrong ways, where it is seen as some kind of social mingling to rub shoulders and hand out business cards in a lame attempt to get one's name out there to sell something. But building a solid professional network is more like building a reference group of trusted people across a diverse range of skillsets and positions. It is like building an informal organization, and like all organizations, it works on trade. Sharing of value. This means that to build a personal network of value, an individual also has to have something to trade, to be able to provide value to the network.
This is easier said than done, especially since in general, when building a professional network, it is going to also need to include people who are higher up the food chain at the company. The trade here is generally the kind of thing that helps them get where they are looking to go, which is generally by helping them hit their milestones in some way.
But we were talking a little about different ways to do this, and a handy and simple example came back to mind that I have used in the past as to why it is important to have the network spread widely enough.
Imagine a round casting net spread out on the ground and the goal is to lift it all up off the ground. If you pick up the edge, to get it off the ground it will take lifting it the diameter measurement to get it off the ground. You can half this by picking it up in the middle, which means lifting it the radius. However, the more lifting points and the further they are spread across the net, the less height is required. Essentially, the effort is spread, with no single point needing to do too much work to make an impact.
For me, that is a good visualization of a healthy network, because it also visualizes that they would also have to be pulling in the same direction upward, even if they aren't quite pulling at the same time. In a lot of organizations of significant size, people might not be collaborating well together, and some might be standing on the net itself, making lifting it entirely off the ground impossible. But while there is no perfect network, if a personal network is built on mutual gains of some sort and shared trust, there tends to be pretty good results, because it is in no one's best interest to stand on the net.
What I find interesting is that while a small group of people like my client are putting in the effort to improve their networking abilities, many others are lessening theirs. It is interesting because as people wind back their own personal networks, it will make the ones of those who spend time building theirs, even more valuable. It is an investment thing, where if there is something of value but the bar is high to get it, it provides a premium. And I suspect that in the future, some people will claim that it is is "unfair" that others have a network to leverage.
They already are.
For example, a topic came up of equal opportunity in the workplace regardless of background, and someone mentioned that it might not be fair that people who choose to work remotely and don't come into the office, miss out on opportunity for advancement. In general though, the people who are often remote, might be doing their job well, they aren't usually building that network actively to help others and, that network isn't as "personal", it is transactional. People only talk when they want something.
Many disagree with me on this and will argue that they aren't like that. But at least from my own observations over the last four years of many people working remotely, it is very much like that. Even the most active ones, are generally building their network like they would at a "networking event", only shaking hands when they want to get something for themselves, even if they have nothing to trade.
But as said in the opening line. I value face to face interactions, because there is more value in them than across screens. The screens are great at times and for some usecases, especially if distance is an issue, but if someone isn't willing to spend twenty minutes to get to work occasionally to connect with others over a coffee, that tells something about them too, right?
Out of sight, out of mind.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
And the food thing about non remote networking is that you get to see if the chicks are actually hotties or that teams profile pic is a ten year old nonsense 😀
:D
At our work, there is a thing where they take photos every year - though there is a workaround to keep an old one :D
Lol, that is probably the best idea. Ours don't. Sometimes someone switches on their camera and you recoil at what they actually look like 🤣🤣
This is very true. As the saying goes out of sight out of mind. Actions speak louder than words making it easier to build a relationship with a person you are seeing.
There have been studies on how younger people aren't as good at reading physical cues now.
Remote working is a great change for some cases, however it has some essential drawbacks such as unemotional communication and losing institutional culture. Those who remotely work build their own environment at home or wherever they are.
Most companies have hybrid possibilities - so I would question why someone isn't willing to go to an office not far from their home to meet people.
I don't think networking is douchey. The example of rubbing shoulders and handing out business cards is an inefficient way to do it, but it does get results in some jobs [sales]. What you discussed with your client is the normal way. I think a different way is playing golf. A lot of executives play it, and it is a rich man's game. My dad plays, and he has met and befriended a lot of different known people, and even some politicians. Learning to golf and joining company hosted ones, or maybe even inviting coworkers to play can be a very good networking method.
This guy plays golf too! Unfortunately, I suck at golf and haven't played in thirty years :) It isn't a rich man's game here though. A lot of people play in the summer, and the season is "long" (only a few months, but since there is no night) and people play a lot.
There are lots of ways to connect without being douchey, but those networking events suck!
It isn't too late to go back and play. Golf isn't too taxing on the body, and can be good exercise. It is relatively cheap to play in the Philippines too compared to the US, but it still costs more than other sports. You need to pay to play [unless you are a clubhouse shareholder], you pay for the caddie [usually required], and the cart if you use one. You need golf clubs, bag, balls, and shoes. You need to pay for the driving range to at least know how to hit the ball before actually playing in a course.
Compared to sports like basketball or football where one only needs to buy is a ball, that is why golf can be considered a rich man's game.
Adding value, is the secrete sauce for networking. Conversations had in person gives you the edge of knowing what the other person is all about. The characteristics of physical human interaction is the ultimate play that humans have over A.I
People will recognize it soon.
Freaing buzzwords man. I went through a long period of time hating "networking", "synergy", "agile", "cloud", "viral" (particularly people demanding "MAKE IT GO VIRAL" like that's something that can be controlled/done on a whim) and a few other ones I'm not remembering off the top of my head because of how much they were flung around like people knew what they were talking about.
"Synergy" was the one I hated the most at university. Every fucking marketing lecture...
I am silently screaming in sympathy and remembered pain.
Personal meetings is really important. I feel holding conversations eye to eye is far better than taking online only.
And if I really want to get in touch with someone, I prefer to do it offline because it has a way of making you feel connected to the person
Online, it is hard to tell true intentions, or convey true intentions. There is more room for misjudgement and not speaking to the other as if they are a human.
I also try to spend more time offline because it helps me feel more connected to the real world and the people around me. It's easy to get lost online, but taking breaks is really important for mental health.
Hope you're having a great Friday brother
Personal meetings are wholesome. If the energy is right, one on one conversations provide for in-depth meaning full conversation that’s takes you deeper into the brain storming Sassoon birthing tangible solutions for the ages.
I feel what we should call a healthy network is a face to face connection. It isn’t like the online meetings are not legit or important but there is usually a kind of vibe that comes with personal meetings
Get a profile picture :)
I got that done😁😁
Thanks
I think that personal face to face interaction is better than online networking. But where larger output is required one would have to resort to remote networking. Physical interaction is more efficient but less productive
Get a profile picture :)