Often in business we feel lonely. When we have a pressing problem or issue to deal with, who do you turn to? According to our communications guru, Nina Spencer, if you grow, nurture and protect your network of relationships, you'll always have a sounding board for your ideas.
Find ways to stay in touch with your circle of influence and expand that circle regularly. Keep in touch with enthusiastic colleagues in your profession, industry and beyond to help sustain your passion for your profession, and for what's most important in your life. Staying connected, and nurturing new relationships, helps minimize that "lone ranger" feeling. And always attend at least one or two professional development events yearly--like those sponsored by your employer, professional association or community. Participate in conferences for your own sake, growth and balance, and also for the sake of all those you serve and help. Conference benefits are many-fold, and the contacts made really can turn into cherished, life-long associations.
To help strengthen your network, answers these questions:
- With whom at work do I enthusiastically "talk shop"?
- With whom do I enthusiastically exchange ideas outside of work?
- How can I expand my network of people who have the same interests as I do?
- With whom at work do I share my professional victories? And elsewhere?
- How big and diverse is my network?
- Do I want to continue to expand my network?
- If "Yes", what one small thing can I do today, to move myself in that direction?
One of my favourite visuals depicts four men in a rowboat. The bottom two are panic stricken, taking on water; bailing out as fast as they can, to no avail. The men at the top are high and dry, and the caption reads, "We're sure glad the hole isn't at our end of the boat!" They don't get it. They may not go down at the same moment as the other guys but, with that attitude, they still will sink! Nurturing relationships is a give, get, give proposition. Sometimes you're high and dry, and sometimes you're taking on water. Such is also the nature of work-life balance.
Nurturing networks is all about recognizing that we really are all in this boat together. Give to others in your more balanced, dry days, to maximize the probability of help when your boat is sinking. What goes around comes around. Such is the nature of work and of life. Out of order comes chaos, and out of chaos, order comes again. Your job is to hang on, help out and wear a lifejacket when the going gets wet!