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Ineffective professional networks can lead to organizational silos, missed opportunities, and lost productivity.
Our latest webinar, “How the top 10% use professional networks to develop leaders and improve business outcomes”, explored proven strategies that help leaders improve their networks to foster innovation and overall business success.
Nick Petrie and Mark Watkins, VP of Sales & Delivery at Jumpshift, discussed the critical role of network-based leadership in today’s digital working environment.
They shared their expertise on uncovering the strengths and areas for improvement within professional networks using the LND framework. The sessions delivered actionable steps to create highly effective professional networks and environments within organizations.
Discover how top-performing companies prioritize internal and external networking, the impact of underdeveloped networking mindsets, and best practices for overcoming organizational silos and barriers to effective networking.
One of the opening insights that emerged is that most leaders have networks reflecting their past rather than their future. Many leaders’ networks are composed of people they have worked with on past projects - not individuals who can help them achieve future goals.
The point resonated with attendees, as many realized that their networks are not evolving with their career aspirations.
Leaders often accumulate connections over time but fail to actively cultivate relationships with individuals who can provide new opportunities and perspectives.
By diagnosing their current networks using tools like LND, leaders can identify gaps and make strategic adjustments to include people who align with their future goals.
During the webinar, participants were encouraged to identify the five people they rely on most in their professional lives. The exercise emphasized the importance of managing one’s core professional network , which typically includes up to 15 individuals.
Watch the full clip below:
Nick and the guests discussed the distinctions between closed and open networks within organizations.
Closed networks, where individuals know each other and share strong bonds, can foster trust and rapport but often become echo chambers, limiting the flow of new information.
Open networks, characterized by connections across different departments, provide a broader range of insights and resources. This diversity enables people to act as bridges, facilitating change and innovation by connecting different groups.
Mark shared a personal journey of transforming his network from closed to open. By actively seeking out connections with individuals who were different from him and each other, he was able to diversify his network, expanding his access to valuable information and enhancing his ability to help others.
See the clip below:
The webinar went on to reveal how multiple interviews with successful networkers revealed 8 patterns that the most effective networkers often use.
These leaders consistently sought to understand and address the needs of others. They prepared questions and aimed at uncovering how they could provide value, rather than what they could expect to extract from the interaction.
By focusing on others’ needs, these networkers not only build stronger relationships but also enhance their reputation as valuable and generous connections within their networks.
Another key insight from the interviews was the importance of paying attention to small personal details about others. Successful networkers often keep track of significant personal events and details about their contacts, using these to foster deeper connections.
See more in this short clip:
Request a demo to see how Google, Accenture, Walmart, and other leading companies use the Leader Network Diagnostic to improve business outcomes.
Our recent webinar shared actionable insights into what the most successful networkers (and their organizations) do differently.
