Inna Kassatkina
The cofounder and President of Global Language Solutions kept her drive, but softened her approach. Those who know me well would describe me as a very driven person. I have been like that ever since I was a child. In running a business, that drive translated into a certain intensity about my own performance and the performance of my team. Our goals were being met and the company was thriving, but over the years I realized that toning down my intensity was important to becoming even more successful. I had to work hard at not just WHAT I was com-
municating to others but HOW I was doing it. Being softer in my approach did not mean that I was being any less demanding about the outcomes I was driving, but I noticed that by being less intense I could relate better to my team, and they performed better as a result. One of the most satisfying roles for me in the last couple of years has been that of mentor to a few key people in my company. PDJ
“… I noticed that by being less intense I could relate better to my team, and they performed better as a result.” Robyn Tingley
This successful VP at Ingram Micro talks about the importance of building a strong network. My first job out of university was in the public relations department of a top company with a stellar reputation for forming deep ties to the community and going the extra mile to satisfy customers. Company leaders expected that I would uphold these values and be a strong ambassador. Networking was essential to my ability to succeed. On any given day, I would find myself talking to media to pitch a story, visiting a customer’s home to discuss the latest product, or negotiating a major event sponsorship in a key market. I had to develop exceptional networking skills in order to cultivate new audiences and partners, to sell the vision of the company, and to connect with people in ways that were meaningful to them. Early on, I established a strong network and formed relationships that continue
today—almost 20 years later. I’m often asked how to build a network. Here’s what I tell people: It’s about quality, not quantity. When building your network, remember you want to establish your reputation and credibility with people of influence, not just collecting contacts. So be strategic and deliberate about your network. Think about what relationships you need and why you need them. Also, consider who is connected to whom and how they fit into your path. You have to give to get. Know that networking with people is often less about your interests than theirs, so find ways to bring value and stand out. Take the first step to establish ties. You can share best practices, send people a book you think they’d like, or write a nice letter of congratulations to recognize someone’s accomplishments.
It’s easier than you think. While you want to be focused as you build your network, don’t be blind to opportunities to make connections, because you never know what doors could open. Say yes often when asked to participate in discussions and events. You will meet new people and automatically build ties. PDJ
“Early on, I established a strong network and formed relationships that continue today …” Read more at WWW.DIVERSITYJOURNAL.COM
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