I believe it was Ellen De Generes who first started talking about having “my people” in her American Express commercials a few years ago. More recently, it’s been Verizon Wireless who has been preaching the power of their network. Whichever way you look at it, it seems more and more critical these days to be connected and make sure someone has got your back!
For years, the term “networking” meant to me that I had to go to big professional events and try to make new friends with a bunch of strangers. If I did that well, then I might be more successful in my independent consulting practice because my new BFF would help position me for new, exciting projects. Being more of an introvert myself, I never really enjoyed that kind of networking, so I never really took those steps to cultivate a strong network. At least that’s what I thought until recently because my network seems stronger than ever right now, and it clearly keeps me going whenever the going gets tough.
In just the last few months, I’ve been able to sell a variety of different projects in no small part because of my network. I’m a member of Vistage, the world’s largest Chief Executive association, and thanks to that network I’m now supporting a Washington DC-based global trade association with their succession planning efforts.
In addition, one of my good friends and colleagues needed to hire a new Vice President of Human Resources to manage the people practices at his organization, and he asked me to conduct the search given my deep experience and vast network in the field. I tapped our extensive team of talented HR executives about the role – many of whom forwarded the information to their colleagues… – and within days I had more qualified candidates to consider than I ever could have imagined.
Now, I have professional colleagues and former classmates from San Francisco and Seattle asking me about coaching senior leaders in their organizations. Oh, and that doesn’t even include the fellow consultant who referred me to her previous co-worker in New Jersey who needs to develop an enhanced sales training program – pronto!
There is so much in life that a Type A, achievement-oriented, driven person could achieve on his/her own. Fortunately though, I’ve learned that I don’t have to do it all on my own. More importantly, I’ve learned that I can accomplish so much more when I leverage “my people”. Even just having my assistant Jessica faithfully by my side or knowing my folks will watch my kids for me if I need to travel out of town for work… It’s the network!
