You Need To Invest In This Primary Career Insurance Policy: Your Network

When do you need a personal, social network the most?

Think about that for a moment. When is your network of business professionals the most valuable to you?

When you need a new job. Right?! That’s when most of us turn to our network of professional colleagues.

The Dumped CEO

Sitting across my desk was a newly dumped CEO who was on the wrong side of an acquisition.

“Tell me about the depth and strength of your professional network,” I asked.

His face sunk.

“You mean the people who I didn’t return their calls because I was too buy? Or those that I cancelled lunch with because I didn’t have the time?”

Sadly, I have heard these words many times. Always from busy executives who didn’t make networking a priority.

They chose not to invest in the one career insurance policy that would be there for them when they needed it the most: their network.

Build It And They’ll Be There

Think of investing in your network the same way you do your financial investments. Without frequent deposits, and time and attention, you won’t have a secure financial future. You can’t withdraw funds that don’t exist.

If you haven’t bothered to invest in your network when times are good for you, why would you expect it to give you a return when you hit hard times?

The Worst Time To Build A Network Is When You Really Need One

Networking during a desperate time is painful! And career damaging!

It’s hard to access and influence people that you haven’t bothered to help in the past.

No one likes a network user who only takes from their network and never gives. Plan for rainy days. None of us are immune to career transitions, personal challenges and hard times.

Start now before it’s too late.

Three Ways Guaranteed To Give You A Huge Future Return

Here are three ways to invest in your network. Try them and watch the huge return you’ll receive.

1. Be The First One To Add Value

Real networking is not about what you can take from someone. Instead it is about what you can add. Actively look for ways to add value to every relationship you have. Do the same for your communities. Ask yourself, “How could I be a resource?”

Often a small action like forwarding an email, introducing people at a conference or following up with a resource someone needs are small acts with big potential impact.

2. Pay It Forward

Make it a priority to accept phone calls or brief face to face meetings with people referred to you by those you trust. Reflect on the people who helped you get where you are today. They took the time, why shouldn’t you?

Anyone who has ever sponsored or mentored someone else can tell you, the teacher always wins too. There is nothing more rewarding than helping someone achieve their goal.

3. Expose Yourself

Harness the power of The Strength of Weak Ties. Put more of a premium on curiosity. According to Andrea Kuszewski of Scientific American, when we interact with people we don’t know well, we actually increase our IQ. Opening ourselves to new information, perspectives and environments makes us smarter.

You have no idea where a new connection will lead you. Believe in the power of serendipity.

Remember Karma

Remember, what you put out to the world, does eventually come back to you. In ways far greater and more creative than you could ever imagine.

Start now.

What strategies have you put into practice to make networking a priority? How have you overcome the-I’m-too-busy-syndrome?