“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” - Jim Rohn, motivational speaker
At work, we often drift into developing our inner circle. Our “five people”, especially if we onboarded with an organization during the pandemic, are most likely our immediate peers. The challenge is that this becomes an echo chamber. This circle does not expand our growth and exposure within the company, nor does it push us to become higher achievers.
The solution to this echo chamber? Intentional networking within your organization. I can hear you now. Ug, networking. Stay with me. When we learn who the influencing people are within an organization, learn who has excelled within the organization, and who has followed a career path similar to the one which we aspire, we find people within our organization from whom we can learn and, I am sure, be of valuable service.
Why networking inside your company is important
Networking inside your organization is not a sales tactic or a way to get a quick promotion. This is a way to develop meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships. We need and want people we can trust and enjoy working with.
The people with whom we have networked and developed connections:
“Hear” our voice in emails and this leads to fewer misunderstandings.
Reach out when something is going a little off track before things completely derail.
Loop us into situations early and often to ensure we are not blindsided.
Are more comfortable speaking up during meetings, helping build a culture of trust.
Provide constructive feedback which helps us grow.
Beyond our current working life, these people can support internal opportunities to participate in projects and corporate initiatives. They can even recommend us for external positions.
How to refine your inner circle
Consider the next position you would like. When I ask this question, I sometimes get blank stares or the comment “I am happy where I am”. My response? Your current position will not be exactly the same in a few years. The requirements will change. People will come and go. We need to have a clear vision of our desired title, skills, and responsibilities over the coming years.
With your future self in mind, consider the following:
Has anyone within the organization followed the path you would like to take?
Who would be consulted as discussions happened about filling your future self’s desired position?
Who, in general, has excelled within the organization, growing, and being promoted?
Who has a leadership, management, or other style which you admire?
As you consider these questions, scan your company’s organization chart. Set aside limiting beliefs that a certain person would “never” be in your circle. Most likely these people are your one-up’s peers or peers who are further along in their careers. I promise you, once you identify these people, you will find ways over the next several months to attend meetings with them, get on projects with them, and even ask for one-on-one time with them. Once you select two or three people and make developing relationships with them a priority, it will happen.
Be a giver
Why am I so confident that you will get time with those people you seek out? Because you are going to ensure you are a “giver” and not a “taker”. If you expect busy leaders to be available for you, are you making time for others? There is always someone earlier in their career than you.
You will also want to learn how you can be of service to people you are inviting into your circle. Remember, this is a mutually beneficial relationship. Before you ask someone to mentor you, start having regular coffees with you, or get you on a career-making project they are leading, be sure you really understand their job and what is important to them. Understand how you can help them be successful.
People who ask me to draw into their circle and want to “pick my brain” over and over without consideration of the outcome they would like are takers. There are books, blogs, and courses for what they need. My favorite requests are those who want to set and track career progress, share technology trends, hammer out specific project challenges, discuss recruiting issues, and more. I have career goals and targets too. Let’s make our time together mutually beneficial.
Your challenge - Update Your Inner Circle
We all like our friends at work. I am not saying give up lunches and coffee with friends. What I am saying is to be intentional about your inner circle, helping guide you professionally.
Explore why internal networking is important and how you might be able to expand your network within your organization.
Spend time intentionally aligning your professional inner circle with your career goals.
Be a giver. Be available for others who need you as part of their circle. Help others to grow. The reward is tremendous.
How do you ensure your inner circle is working for you?
I hope you will connect with me on LinkedIn and share.
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