Building a Strong Professional Network
By Ken Garcia
As the old saying goes, to have a successful career, “It’s not what you know but who you know.” In today’s interconnected world, these words have never been more accurate when building a robust professional network.
Building that network can unlock opportunities, drive career growth and develop long-term professional relationships crucial for navigating today’s competitive landscape. However, creating a truly influential network requires more than just collecting business cards – it’s cultivating genuine relationships, offering value and strategically aligning yourself with individuals who can elevate your personal and professional journey.
According to research psychologist and author Alison Fragale, the key is building a network with a wide range of contacts and deep relationships.
“The depth of your network is how much value you add to others,” she said. “You can have a person that is just an acquaintance, but you can still have a deep relationship if they see you as a person that adds value to them.”
Fragale, whose book “Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve” was released on Sept. 3, 2024, will be the keynote speaker at the MHEDA Woman in Industry Conference in Chicago on Nov. 6-7. She says to create a network beyond collecting business cards and amassing connections on sites like LinkedIn. People should be intentional about who will be in their network and who can help them meet their professional goals.
This can mean using your network to help with short-term goals, like seeking a promotion or switching roles, or long-term goals, like finding a second (or third) act after retirement. Fragale says having a goal in mind will help create focus in building your network. Ultimately, these are people you may not need right now but will down the road. During that time, you can build the relationship by finding small ways to add value to it.
“It is not looking for the people needed to solve my problem tomorrow. That’s the fire drill version,” Fragale said. “The intentional one is looking out and building those relationships long before they’re needed. Then, when you do need someone’s help down the road, it’s an easy phone call to make.”
Creating a professional network requires time and effort. Building meaningful relationships demands consistency, authenticity and a long-term commitment to nurturing connections. It’s about engaging in conversations, offering support, sharing knowledge and being present when opportunities arise.
“Getting someone to want to be in a professional relationship with you is an act of influence,” Fragale said. “We do that by convincing them we have something valuable to offer for their benefit.”
This means staying updated on industry trends, attending events and regularly checking in with contacts. While the process can be slow and requires patience, the effort pays off as your network becomes a valuable resource.
With today’s technology, our networks have the potential to be worldwide. Networking social media sites like LinkedIn help connect with people anywhere. Something that is certainly beneficial if working remotely.
“I joke that my book is the book that LinkedIn wrote,” Fragale said with a laugh. “Many of the people I interviewed were people I met through LinkedIn, and many of them I have never met in person to this day. They were relationships I forged with a thumbs up on their posts, then comments and direct messages.”
Another way to stay involved with your network is to set up reminders about a person’s or their kid’s birthday. Fragale says this is an excellent way to stay connected because, realistically, you can’t talk to everyone every day. It is also helpful with former colleagues you enjoyed working with but may have lost touch with over the years. She says a small text with a warm greeting can go a long way.
“Once the relationship is built, it doesn’t take that much effort to sustain it. Even a short note once a year will keep the relationship going,” she advises.
A strong professional network is a powerful asset that can greatly impact career and personal growth. By investing time and effort into building and maintaining meaningful connections, you create a foundation that helps you achieve current goals and future success. It is about what you can gain and your value to others – creating a mutually beneficial circle that drives collective growth.
Learn more about Alison Fragale at her website, alisonfragale.com. You can also sign up for her newsletter, “The Upper Hand,” which is on Substack – also linked on her website.
