The One Professional Commitment You Should Have On Your Calendar

You may not want to add any more obligations to your full schedule, however, this week on the podcast I discuss why networking within your industry is not be avoided.

Really.

I know, I know, you have enough going on (or you may be trying to purposefully declutter your commitments this year) but if your long-term career goals include advancing within your chosen profession, get involved or if your short-term career goals include transferring into a new industry or market segment, get involved. It’s never too early, but for some, it could be well, not too late, but unnecessarily hard if you’ve isolated or shielded your skills and reputation from industry peers.

“Successful people know what small things done repeatedly have great power” — Laura Vanderkam

Love Laura’s quote. It summarizes why I’m a believer in “micronetworking” — you know, the little things done daily that advances relationships and gets us closer to our goals. It’s why I put out my 30-Day network building challenge. One thing each day to improve your networking. Start the challenge anytime (today is as good a day as any). Start by renewing your membership in a professional organization. Start by emailing a committee chair to signal your interest in joining the committee. Start by signing up to volunteer at the next industry event. Just start.

ICYMI. Last week’s podcast tackled the thorny subject of returning networking favors. This subject is of particular relevance to college students or younger professionals who may hold back from asking for help (because they have nothing to give). The episode is equally for those networkers who leap to make an unsolicited introduction.

The Build Your Dream Network bottom line is: When you ask for help, respect the others person’s time and contacts, thank them for their assistance, and keep them posted on your networking progress.

Nothing more, nothing less.

’Cause you don’t want to become known as a Death Eater. As I share in Build Your Dream Network –in the subchapter headed “Death Eaters”:

If you’re not a Harry Potter fan, too bad.

You’re not excused from this networking point.

In the Potter books, Death Eaters are evil witches and wizards. In networking parlance, they are the people who constantly ask for help or new connections or random introductions but who never, ever reciprocate in kind. No thanks or consideration, just endless asks. Masters of thinking only about what they need, Death Eaters are the people who zap your energy and kill the strength of your connections.

Avoid them. And, more important, follow the networking guidance in this book to avoid becoming one.

Willingness to help and respect for the advice given is the foundation of your reputation and is the “culture” underlying the best communities. When I asked First Round Capital’s Rob Hayes what surprised him about the formidable community of startup founders the firm has built, he commented on the enormous willingness of the members of the community to help each other. It exceeded what he imagined it could be. In Rob’s own words:

I continue to be surprised by how willing members of our community are to give their time and offer their wisdom. These are extremely busy, driven people who are constantly working at max capacity. So to see how generously they’ll take time out of their day to help another entrepreneur overcome a challenge or solve a problem is completely awesome.

Heads-up! I have a follow-up BYDN conversation with Rob coming up on the podcast. Stay tuned.

Back to this week’s podcast for a second before I sign off. My own career story includes contributing to and leveraging professional networks. On the podcast I include how one professional organization in particular (NALP) helped me make a career change (from corporate attorney to a training / professional development management role). I’m interested in hearing from you.

• What’s your networking story when it comes to being involved professional groups and organizations.
• Do you have a success story or lesson with an association or professional orgs to share?

I’d love to hear from you. Comment on the is post and tell me your professional networking success (or frustration) story.