The unexpected power of activating your network
How your personal and professional relationships can shape your career and remind you of where you’ve been, where you’re going and the difference you make in people’s lives – and they, yours.
About one month ago, I started upon an uncertain but exciting journey. For the first time in almost a decade I am on the job market. I’m 34 years old and 12-years into a diverse and rewarding career that’s taken me from the Olympic Games (Official broadcaster of Vancouver 2010), to authoring a book (lifetime shameless plug for #FollowTheLeader), to advising senior leaders (e.g. Common Social Media Pitfalls, etc.), to keynote speaking (remember Prezi?); to co-developing a $1 million re-and-upskilling initiative for professionals. But I feel vulnerable, anxious, as if none of those experiences matter and that, ultimately, a stroke of good timing and CV keyword algorithm manipulation may define the fate of your work life and the value of your life’s work.
Over the last month, however, I have been reminded of the surprising power of one’s network in affecting career trajectory. I feel compelled to share how heartening it has been to reconnect with my personal and professional contacts over the last few weeks. Heartening, inspiring and, at times, eyeopening.
“Because, as you know, the most interesting opportunities will come from the people who know you…” – Colleague from Dan’s network
The process of reconnecting has happened virtually, over the phone and in person, usually stemming from outreach that I’ve initiated and has spanned across colleagues and relationships both new and old. They have given me the gift of their time and experiences and the opportunity to catch-up on our respective journeys. I can’t put into words what it has meant to witness the power of one’s network in action – like watching a community rally together to support a cause they believe in – but in this case, the cause they’ve chosen is: me.
I have felt deep appreciation and gratitude these last few weeks experiencing every moment of candour, counsel, empathy, support, constructive feedback; observing as my network unexpectedly brings forward opportunities to partner, to join new ventures; coordinates e-introductions, referrals and makes me aware of potential career opportunities; the unique ways that they (and only they) can remind you of your unique professional value proposition(s), the strengths you possess, and that which differentiates you.
These experiences, these moments offered through my network, of late, have also served as sources of inspiration, optimism and resilience in the face of uncertainty. My network has also helped me to reconcile and address feelings of isolation brought on by leaving the familiar and consistent collegiality of full-time work.
“You’re the only person I’ve met who walks into a room and says: “Hello, Friends,” and actually means it.” – Colleague from Dan’s network
“Those experiences in strategic communication, fundraising and building partnerships are a really unique combination; they will open a lot of doors. Let me help nudge them open.” – Colleague from Dan’s network
And sometimes, your network tells you what you need to hear:
“This is not you at your best. You’re a bright guy with great experience and a lot to offer. Show me that, show others that.” – Colleague from Dan’s network
That, from one meeting a few days into this journey at a coffee shop in downtown Toronto, a senior executive from a major North American brand and professional connection who I had only met a couple of times in person could sense my nervous energy and gave me the straight, unfiltered goods.
But even in that moment, I knew that my network was still operating in my best interest.
Activating my network has reminded me about the integral and inimitable role professional colleagues and mentors play in our career and personal growth.
The time we spend with them, the memories we form in collaboration, they are unlike any other relationship in our lives. In many cases, your network has spent more time with you than your own family and friends. This gives them perspective into your character, values, strengths and weaknesses with a level of breadth and depth that others couldn’t possibly match.
Your network is a link to your professional past and, for some, can play a role in defining the future of their careers. I’m currently working alongside my network, those new to it and longtime colleagues, to define my own future (and maybe theirs, to an extent). But what I don’t think I fully appreciated before starting this journey was how one’s personal and professional relationships can also serve as a mirror, reflecting back to us what we project to the world.
Maintaining and revisiting these relationships can enable us to see ourselves in new and different ways; to more deeply appreciate what makes us unique and the people who help to shape who we are today and who we may become in the future.
To my network, I say thank you for joining me on this journey; I’m not sure where it will end but I know you’ll have played an invaluable role in helping me get to a place where great results can be achieved and new bonds formed.
