The “I” Network: Smarter Professional Networking

Beth Kanter, Master Trainer, Author, and Speaker I-We-It Social Change Leadership Retreat – April, 2015

Why I Am Excited About Networks and Networking

@kanter

http://bethkanter.wikispaces.com/I-We-It

“You are not ever a genius all by yourself. Your ideas are a function of the people

you are connected with…” – Carol Dweck, Author, Mindset

Personal Professional Social Media

What is the “I” Network?

Offline: Strong Ties Online: Weak Ties

Photos: Flickr – micaelswiet and creative commons

Benefits of Smarter Professional Online Networking

• Access to quick conversations, expert opinions, issue or system scan

• Leads to new ideas, new connections

• Get real-time insights

• Efficient way to find out what people in your network are doing and whether to reconnect

• Facilitates connections at conferences and meetings

• Open doors, build relationships with experts, influencers, or others

Personal Professional

Private Public

Personal Professional

Private Public

Worlds Collide: Boundary Navigation Skills

Turtle

• No online networking or profile locked down

• Only connects with family and personal friends

• Little benefit to your organization/professional

Jelly Fish

• Profile open to all and connects with everyone

• Share content & engage frequently with little censoring

• Potential decrease in respect

Chameleon

• Profile open or curated connections

• Networking strategy

• Helps you solve problems or reach goals

Based on “When World’s Collide” Nancy Rothbard, Justin Berg, Arianne Ollier-Malaterre (2013)

What Kind of Networking Animal Are You?

I-Network Strategy: A Strong Core

Source: Managing Yourself: A Smarter Way to Network by Rob Cross and Robert J. Thomas

“Core connections and relationships must … • Bridge smaller, more-diverse

groups and geography. • Result in more learning, less

bias, and greater personal growth.

• Model positive behaviors: generosity, authenticity, and enthusiasm.

Building A Robust I-Network Strategy

1

Analyze

2

De-Layer

3

Diversity

4

Capitalize

Source: Managing Yourself: A Smarter Way to Network by Rob Cross and Robert J. Thomas

Use the Worksheet To Analyze

• Age • Organization • Gender • Hierarchical Position • Area of Expertise • Geographic Location

Based on the work of Harold Jarche and Robert Cross

• Information and learning • Political support and

influence • Personal development • Personal support and

energy • A sense of purpose or

worth • Work/Life balance

DIVERSITY BENEFITS

Create Your I-Network Map

• Use sticky notes, markers and poster paper to create your professional network map.

• Think about your challenge, organizational goals or professional goals and relate to your analysis

• Decide on different colors to distinguish between different categories of people

• Show how people are linked to each other and what extended networks they bridge you to

Analyze Your Map

• Who in your core can help with your challenge? What type of people do you need to add?

• Is your core diverse enough? • What networks do people in your

core bridge you with? • Are you getting new ideas from your

core? • Are there people who steal your

energy? How to remove? • Does your core provide all the

benefits? Gaps? • How can you research and connect

online via social? • How can you maintain relationships

online and offline?

Leverage Weak Ties Online

• Social media can speed your connections to the right people and help you maintain relationships over time consistently.

• Embrace weak ties strategically • Favor test and other ways to set limits on accessibility and who

you respond to • Kondo your connections

• Online Rolodex • Pre-Event

Connection • Make or Get

Introductions • Growing Your

Network • Reconnecting • LinkedIn Group

Participation

Thank you!

www.bethkanter.org www.facebook.com/beth.kanter.blog @kanter on Twitter