Most of us tend to overlook our need to network until we’re actively looking for a job. We don’t intend to put off building professional relationships, but the urgent demands we face every day make it difficult to create time and space for anything else. As busy leaders, it’s understandable we can be so consumed by our roles that we find it challenging to connect with our peers.
Although it’s easy to understand why it happens, failing to develop those connections now could hurt your career in the future. Here are 3 ways that a lack of developing meaningful business relationships can impact your success.
It restricts your vision
If you’re not intentional about establishing and growing strong professional relationships outside of your team or organization, it’s easy to become so focused on your internal challenges that you lose sight of the bigger picture. While it’s important to be well informed about your current team projects and metrics, it’s also valuable to understand where things are at with other organizations and within your industry as a whole. If you don’t interact with outside business connections, you may be limiting your perspective and growth.
It affects your future career transitions
One of the most common regrets I hear from clients is that they wish they had not been completely wrapped up in their projects and responsibilities and neglected to cultivate relationships with people in their network. As soon as they make a decision to take a step forward in their career, they realize that continuing to stay connected with business contacts would have been beneficial in preparing them for their next career transition. Suddenly they’re trying to catch up and re-establish relationships, as well as open the door to new opportunities.
One of the most common regrets I hear from clients is that they wish they had not been completely wrapped up in their projects and responsibilities and neglected to cultivate relationships with people in their network.
On the other hand, if you maintain your professional relationships, even while being fully engaged and thriving in your current role, you’ll keep your industry knowledge relevant and position yourself for growth as a leader. You’ll also be able to better assess your abilities and measure your impact, which will allow you to create a strong personal brand that attracts the career opportunities you’re looking for.
It causes you to overlook opportunities
If you’re laser-focused on your current role to the point that you’re unable to think about anything outside of your team or organization, chances are you’ll miss the possibilities that arise to develop you professionally and set you apart as an expert in your industry. When you’re not building relationships, you’re missing out on a whole realm of opportunities, whether it’s mentorship, Board service, public speaking engagements, or thought leadership.
It’s important to remember that your growth as a leader will have a positive impact on your organization, even when it’s not directly tied to the task at hand. Creating space for networking allows for the type of personal development that causes ripple effects across your team and throughout the company. The more you interface with other leaders, the more you’ll expand your own leadership capacity, your industry knowledge, and your confidence in driving meaningful results.
When you’re not building relationships, you’re missing out on a whole realm of opportunities, whether it’s mentorship, Board service, public speaking engagements, or thought leadership.
Building relationships when you don’t have time – or energy – to do it
As a leader, there are countless demands on your time every day. You’re constantly needing to prioritize what is most urgent and to ensure that all the important tasks are managed effectively. If you’re in an organization that is less-than-healthy, your responsibilities may be compounded by a lack of structure, unreasonable expectations, and heightened stress.
In the middle of the business decisions you’re bombarded with and the interpersonal challenges that come with leading by example, how do you fit in another meeting, conversation or call?
The more you interface with other leaders, the more you’ll expand your own leadership capacity, your industry knowledge, and your confidence in driving meaningful results.
Start by creating a plan that provides you with a space in your schedule to build with people in your network. If you tell yourself that you’ll dedicate time to growing your professional relationships after everyone on your list is finished, it’s likely that you’ll never reach the point you’re ready to do it. Instead of waiting for the ideal moment, schedule time into your work week to connect with people outside of your organization.
It’s not easy. It takes effort. But having a plan makes it easier to achieve!
You don’t have to block off 5 hours a week to make it happen. It’s best to begin with a small, manageable goal that you know you can accomplish.
Knowing your time constraints, your energy level, and what it takes for you to switch gears, how many networking conversations should you aim for each month?
Scheduling one or two 30-minute meetings in a month to cultivate a relationship might be all you can realistically plan for, but any time you invest will pay off in more ways than you realize. It’s not about the amount of time you spend building relationships; it’s about quality and consistency!
It’s not easy. It takes effort. But having a plan makes it easier to achieve!
Establishing a powerful network expands your perspective, positions you for success, and offers opportunities for growth. Don’t wait until you’ve decided to make a career shift to develop your professional connections. Create a plan to grow and develop your network, starting today! The conversations you have with other business leaders will not only provide insight and ideas for managing your current career challenges, but they will also open the door to future success.
Need more networking or job search advice? I’m here for you! Check out my Career Success Coworking program to learn about working 1:1 with me to create a career you don’t want to escape from!