As the nights draw-in (at least in the northern hemisphere), it feels like it is time to embrace our inner hermits, give in to the new social distancing norm, and just give up on networking for the rest of the year. Just turn up to work (in person or virtually), mooch about, get stuff done, and go home (or close the laptop).

But we all know that networking is key. We all know that networking opens doors. And yet, the old boys network standard where you go golfing, or those networking events are just a bit meh. If that’s what it means to network, then, at least for the rest of the year, we’ll leave it to that old boys club, right?

Wrong. Networking doesn’t have to be icky. But most people miss what networking really is. We know it’s a good thing in principle. But we resist it. We know it opens doors, and yet, we go about it wrong.

Today I’m sharing with you what is really going on with effective networking. Why the old boys network works, and how we can use that knowledge to build a great women’s network, or whatever your network needs to be. I’m talking about the 5 components that mean it isn’t uncomfortable and instead open doors for you and for others. And when you learn how to get this right, it isn’t icky and uncomfortable. It feels good.

Want to know how on earth networking can feel good? Let’s dig in and go to the show.

Building connections has always been important for creating opportunities, opening doors, seeing what is possible, and even pushing through self-doubt and building our motivation.

But for many of us maintaining connections during a period where all or nearly all interactions are virtual, is hard work.

Creating new connections, whether they are new professional connections or new friendships ? Sounds like something impossible!

I’ve said it before, and I think it is time to say it again: it can actually be easier than in-person. But it does require conscious reframing of the tactics we used before the virtual-first approach…

And bonus: that wall you may have recently hit after 6 months of social distancing, the act of active connection, even if it for primarily professional purposes, can be just the thing you need to get unstuck once again.

So if you know you need to kick-start your networking again, or that you’d love to feel less isolated, but dread getting going, today’s podcast is for you.

Let’s dig in!
Are you wanting to build real personal resilience, so that you feel confident with those difficult conversations, instead of feeling anxious, exhausted, overwhelmed, and on the verge of burnout? 

Perhaps you are an ambitious change-agent, motivated to inspire others into a better way of doing things. But finding the time and energy to get the buy-in you know you need is, well, exhausting. 

Are you left feeling overwhelmed, drained and depleted? 

Perhaps you know the theory of leading, but it doesn’t seem to play out that way for you, and management seems to take up all your time, so you deciding to stick with the tech role you started with, despite your desire to influence and create positive change.

If you are ready to be full of confidence and be that influencer you crave, then I have one thing you need to know. The one thing that is not talked about enough when we are taught about leadership or leadership is ‘shown’ to us by those above. This one thing: it is the glue that makes great leadership happen.

Curious? Let’s go to the show.