Lately I have been thinking about networking. Recently, I had a great meeting with a young woman that I met maybe five years ago, when I revived a volunteer relationship with her organization. I found the volunteering activity personally rewarding and took it seriously. I was able to hone a skill that I rarely use and that I find highly desirable and made sure my work met or exceeded expectations. Scheduling kept me from donating services for a couple of years, but I always responded within reach. When he asked me to ask about a matter related to the show, which turned into a request for a face-to-face, I was glad to say yes.
I didn’t know that volunteer service, which is pro bono consulting work, would now pay a stipend. There is also an effort to grow the program. The organization has had trouble selling to the new target market and I was happy to suggest a few talking points that should produce results. He took a lot of notes. At some point over the next several months, I hope to be invited to provide more pro bono work, this time with a very useful stipend and the opportunity to gain access to people that I would like to add to my client list.
What’s the moral of this networking story? First, strategic volunteering can pay dividends, and second, feel free to selectively network at both ends of the org chart. Don’t assume that lower-ranking people are never in a position to help you.
This young lady was the program coordinator, not a decision maker, and she is half my age. However, I treated her with respect and always enjoyed working with her. When asked, I offered to give him some much-needed ideas, not knowing that he is now in a position to help me earn money.
Of course, we all dream of meeting a powerful person who miraculously agrees to become our sponsor and guide us to a fabulous career. That happens to some people, but it hasn’t happened to me yet.
So how could one successfully connect at the top of the org chart? I propose that directing your networking proposals to superiors towards those who are inclined to respect you and your professionalism, regardless of the obvious difference in job titles, is Rule # 1. Remaining aware of the difference in power and status is Rule # 2. Understanding how you can position yourself to be perceived as a valuable asset to a resourceful person is Rule No. 3 and effectively communicating that value proposition to Mr. or Mrs. Higher-Up is Rule No. 4.
There are no hard and fast rules for networking in the food chain, but I have found that interaction with superiors is most successful in volunteer meetings, in places of worship, in the gym, and in other non-work settings. related places. There are many people pulling on the sleeves of top influencers, and as a result, they rarely let their guard down. If networking is on your agenda, it is preferable to meet them in social situations that facilitate participation in shared priorities that can lead to building organic relationships.
Thank you for reading,
Kim