5 Steps to Connecting with Your Individual Professional Networks
We all need new ideas, new connections and new energy to lead us into this next year. Reignite your interest in other programs and people by actively connecting to others in out-of-school time. Your professional network will offer you support and connection when the going gets tough… and it’s been tough! So, now’s a good time to gather together to build, heal and connect.
As a leader in the field, you may already be doing these things. If you’re not, try them. If you are, consider how you could share these steps with staff on your team. Help them grow their professional networks.
Join Conversations
Try to join networks or groups of professionals who run programs like yours. Find others that are doing the same type of work on LinkedIn or other social media. If you’re struggling to find someone who does exactly the same thing you do, find programs or networking groups that are unlike yours and get in touch. Try this:
Send a message to friends and connections. Try saying: “I saw that you do X, I am interested in learning more about that.”
Organize a learning event and invite friends. Try starting a book club, or walking group to connect your programs.
Attend existing events that don’t relate directly to the afterschool field. Connect with colleagues in museum education, sports programming, experiential education and the arts so you have a diverse perspective of what’s possible in this work.
2. Listen and Follow Up
Now that you’re having all of these great conversations, be sure to really practice hearing what your colleagues are saying.
Do your best to remember each person’s name and one important thing about them. Did they mention that they love to play cards or that they have a dog? Put it in your memory bank and when you get home jot down a note about this person.
Follow up on ideas with resources or new introductions to cement the new connection.
Send a follow up note or email after meeting a new person letting them know that you enjoyed connecting and hope you’ll be able to connect again soon.
Did the person mention a topic that you know something about? Send a recent article their way.
Are you now connected on social media? Be sure to wish the person a happy birthday on their big day.
3. Connect Others
Can you introduce someone to another colleague? DO it! Direct action in support of others will help to build relationships. And if someone asks you for help try to respond right away.
4. Say What You Mean
Try to think about your values and ideas and speak or write clearly and concisely about them. Folks will remember what you say most if you speak simply and with conviction. Relationship building happens when you’re genuine and when you do a lot of listening. So bring up topics you care about in conversation, say something with focus and build on other’s responses. Try:
Practicing a one sentence elevator pitch to introduce yourself. It can be hard to describe work in out-of-school time so focus on designing a simple sentence to clearly express what you are passionate about in your work.
Talk about things other than work. People are drawn to memorable people who are passionate. If you’re not excited about work- talk about what inspires you. Needlepoint, boating, gardening, hiking or social influencer.
5. Share Kindness
Before you know it many of the colleagues you have now may be leading the organizations that make your community run. The kindness you show now not only makes the world a better place right now but will pay off when you are looking for new opportunities or starting something amazing. Try this:
Share positive comments on social media
Send a note of gratitude, or birthday card
Bring homemade food to an event
Offer to help clean up after an event
Open the door for others
Put your phone away and have a conversation in the elevator before the event
Contributed by DWL Senior Consultant Jen Brevoort. Thanks, Jen!!