How Healthy is Your Network?

BY CACHET B. PRESCOTT

As a milspouse professional, my network has greatly contributed to my success. Most—if not all–of my career opportunities are due in part to the relationships I have built over time. Each PCS has provided the chance to meet and build connections with new people, extend my reach and explore both known and unknown possibilities.

In taking on more challenges over the years, though, I’ve struggled to find time and space to consistently nurture those valued connections. As I reflect on what I want the future to look like professionally, I’ve asked myself one question: how healthy is your professional network?

Why Networks Matter

No person is an island in the workplace.

No matter what your role is, we all connect with others in some way, shape or form.

From peers to supervisors, direct reports to clients or vendors, each interaction provides the chance to create bonds that enable us to effectively communicate, collaborate, elevate, calibrate, commiserate (yes, we all need a place to vent), innovate, lead, produce and ultimately, create impact in business and work.

For many professionals and executives, though, meeting people isn’t the issue. The real problem lies in their ability to give those relationships the adequate attention they deserve, which differs for each person and situation. With the constant demands of work and life, many find it difficult to find time and space to reconnect, and thus, their professional relationships suffer.

We have to remember that our relationships are an investment, what we put into them will determine what we get in return—and no, I’m not talking about transactional or tit-for-tat relationships. When we fail to consistently make time for people and only reach out when we want or need something, this can leave a bad taste in their mouths and may sour the relationship.

Make Time for a Network Health Check

As we move through the new year, I encourage you to think about the health of your professional network. Ask yourself the following questions to be more intentional about nurturing and managing professional relationships:

• What’s your value add to your relationships? Maybe you’re an amazing listener, a bridge builder, resource or encourager or you have the gift of helping others connect the dots. Whatever your thing is, think about what you can selflessly give to your connections. Keep in mind that what you give doesn’t have to be grandiose for it to be of value to someone else.

• Who do you rely on for guidance, wisdom and direction? And when was the last time you touched base without an “ask”? Consider what you can do for them to show your continued appreciation for the value they’ve added to your life.

• Who in your current network will play a role in your future professional goals and how strong are each of those relationships? Determine what’s the best approach to strengthen, or maintain, those relationships. If you’re working toward building relationships with weaker ties, keep in mind that you have to allow people to get to know and trust you before they can eventually support and advocate for you—and that takes time.

• With whom would you like to connect? Is there a relationship within your existing network you should take the time to nurture? Can that person provide a warm introduction? Again, think about what value you can add to both your existing connection—the "introducer"—and your intended connection.

• What’s the best approach for you to prioritize (re)connection? How can you start small to build this habit? From blocking off dedicated time in your calendar to scheduling in-person or virtual chats to checking in via LinkedIn, find what works best for you and commit to a reasonable, regular cadence–weekly, monthly, quarterly—for making it happen. Make sure these commitments fit with your schedule and style to ensure you can maintain this habit.

Your Networking Challenge

Choose at least one existing connection and one desired connection to intentionally build and nurture over the next 90 days.

Cachet Prescott, PHR, SHRM-CP is passionate about the human side of business and the workplace, and her zone of genius lies in her ability to inspire and leverage the power of connection to create space for effective communication, cooperation, collaboration, innovation, calibration and elevation at work.

This military spouse and mother of three girls is the creator and host of All Things (Un)learned, a podcast exploring unlearning as a powerful means to personal growth, transformation and well-being. She holds a Master’s in Sociology from the University of Georgia; a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Fairfield University; and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Virginia. She brings her expertise in organizational behavior; interpersonal relations and group dynamics; interpersonal communication; leadership development; and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to all she does. She's been featured in The Muse; Thrive Global; The Huffington Post; Introvert, Dear; DailyWorth; Fast Company; FlexJobs; International Business Times (IBT); LearnVest; Monster; Recruiter.com; Careers in Government; GI Jobs; Military Spouse Magazine and Blue Star Families