
Advancing in Business and Career through Networking and the Mistakes to Avoid.
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There is an African Proverb that says if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.
This is one of the benefits of having a strong network of people.
These people are those who contribute to your success and growth in your career, business and personal life.
A good network can provide job leads, business referrals, possibilities for advancement and opportunities for personal improvement.
True is the saying “๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ช๐ด ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ช๐ด๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ” and this is why we leverage on others to achieve success in life and career.โฃโฃ
For many individuals, success came on the heels of strong networking opportunities they have created and nurtured over time.โฃโฃ
But what really is ๐๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ?
Networking is not merely the exchange of information with others โ and it is certainly not about begging for favors.โฃโฃ
Networking is about establishing and nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet, whether in an elevator, a coffee shop, a supermarket or at a work conference.โฃโฃ
It is about contributing to their success just as you stand to benefit from their knowledge.โฃโฃ
But there is no doubt that a huge number of individuals are making cringe-worthy networking mistakes that in turn negativity impacts them.
Some mistakes include:
1. Not following up.
Rather than letting that great conversation with your new connect go to waste, ask to stay in touch. You can send a LinkedIn invitation with a personalized message.
2. Asking too much of your network.
It can be frustrating to open your inbox and see messages like, โHi, i want a job at your company!’, “Can you give me a letter of recommendationโ (even though you have not spoken with the person in 3 years!)
3. You only reach out to people when you need something.
You never say “Hello” until you need something.
While making amends in our networking mistakes, it is imperative to pay attention to the circle of friends who surround us. These people will either mar or make us. Your ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ is your ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, so the saying goes.
As King Solomon rightly puts it: ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ค ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ ๐ฌ๐๐จ๐, ๐๐ช๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ค๐ ๐๐ค๐ค๐ก๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ค๐ฎ๐๐.โฃ
Take an inventory of those close to you.โฃ
Do you feel uplifted or torn down each time you are in their midst? โฃ
Do they push and encourage you to be better?โฃ
Do they seek out growth opportunities for you?โฃ
Are they your “hype men”?
But then remember the ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: Like attracts like. ๐ป๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐.โฃ
So ask yourself: Are you someone’s hype man/woman? Do you encourage those in your circle? Do you seek out growth opportunities for them?
Don’t just be a receiver, be a giver. For it is more blessed to give than to receive.
No matter the level you think you are right now, you can rise higher just by leveraging on your network.
Be intentional about growing your network.โฃโฃโฃ
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