What is the # 1 Predictor of Career Success? A Special Network!
Jul 04, 2023
The # 1 Predictor of Career Success?
A Special Network!
The best predictor of career success, according to multiple, peer reviewed studies, is being in an OPEN network instead of a closed one. In fact, one study shows that half of the predicted difference in career success (i.e., promotion, compensation, industry recognition) is due to this special type of network. (Forbes, by Michael Simmons)
WHAT IS AN OPEN NETWORK?
A closed network exists when you talk to the same people all of time – your information and opportunities are limited. An open network consists of a diverse group of individuals in different fields with different sources of information and different viewpoints.
WHAT IS NETWORKING, AND WHAT IS NOT?
The book Strategic Connections defines networking as the deliberate process of exchanging information, resources, support, and access in such a way as to create a mutually beneficial relationship.
To translate this definition into action, you need to Adopt a Positive Networking Identity. This means thinking and acting with the belief that Networking is about teaching and giving, not talking and taking.
I encourage you to create a visible copy of this mindset and place it in a convenient place that reminds you on a daily basis that networking is about teaching and giving. With this mindset, you will be well on your way to making networking an art, not an accident.
NETWORKING IS TWO PEOPLE HAVING A CONVERSATION, WITH A TWOFOLD PURPOSE:
- Teach each other who you are and what you are all about as a person and
- Learn as much as you can about each other
Look for opportunities to teach others who you are as a person. What you are good at, your skills and experiences, what you like and don’t like, your passions, your personal goals, your career goals. This is crucial! The more you teach others about who you are and what is important in your life, the greater likelihood that your networking partner may be able to give back to you in some way.
Just as important, the more you learn about them — what they are good at, their skills and experiences, what they like and don’t like, what their passions are, their personal and career goals — the greater the likelihood that you can give back to your networking partner and help them in some way.
The quality of those conversations determines whether a first conversation will lead to future conversations and a mutually beneficial relationship. Unfortunately for some people, networking is uncomfortable, difficult and therefore a waste of time. Attempts to establish an OPEN network are a waste of time if you do not know what to say, how to say it, and when to say it when networking opportunities arise.
The good news is that you can easily learn and improve these skills and behaviors needed to build a broad, open network. To build an open network, start with the mindset: networking conversations are about teaching and giving.
HOW DO YOU NETWORK? AN EXAMPLE OF TEACHING
How often have you asked someone the “What do you do” question?
Many people answer with their title, industry, or profession. They just missed an opportunity to teach you something about who they are and what they are good at. Can you imagine if someone answered your “What do you do?” question not with their title, but said, “I help teams that are falling apart. I just led a retreat for a team of 10 people – they were so glad to discover that people from 4 generations really CAN work together!” Can you imagine how different your conversation might be?
At Contacts Count, we call this a BEST/TEST answer. It is a simple two sentence response. First, tell something you are BEST at – a skill, talent, a passion. Second, provide a TESTimonial – an example of a time you saved the day, solved the problem, or served the client.
Want to learn how to create your own BEST/TEST answer...
Email me at [email protected] and I will send a free worksheet with the guidelines for creating you BEST/TEST answer.
I’d be glad to provide you with feedback, so feel free to send me your BEST/TEST answers for review to [email protected].
About the Author
Vern Schellenger, President and CEO of Contact Count.
Contacts Count is the premier coaching and training organization
dedicated to helping you use the power of human connection to transform your career, business, and life.
Vern is dedicated to empowering professionals and entrepreneurs with the strategies, skills and tools to master networking (even if they are introverted and don’t like networking events). His vast experience includes such roles as HR VP and CLO at Dunkin Donuts, VP & Director of Professional Services at Lee Hecht Harrison, and SR VP of Human Resources at American Bankers Association.