The Power of Networking

There is plenty of good information about the importance of networking, as knowing people who are doers can help get things done and can have enormous influence.

In my writing on this site, in my speaking with groups, and as appropriate in my coaching, I continue to emphasize that being a giver is the very best way to be in one’s business life as well as in one’s personal life.

This post is intended to validate the value of networking and, while in this case it is from the standpoint of a job or career opportunity search, I hope this also broadly reinforces the power of a network of good people.

I had a wonderful experience last week when my friend, Paul Coughlin, an astute turnaround and private equity specialist, invited me to Peter McCarthy’s, CEO of McCarthy & Company, breakfast meeting, which he hosts regularly. McCarthy & Company offers a number of services, a primary one being assistance to high level executives in their job and career search—essentially outplacement—with, in my opinion, a very dedicated personal commitment to helping their clients.

McCarthy has created a network of senior executives and influencers in the greater Washington, D.C. area who come to these breakfast meetings, spend time talking among themselves, which itself is valuable, and then sit down for a formal program where they learn about McCarthy’s clients, including their background, experience and talents, who are in search of opportunities. They have an opportunity to offer ideas and advice to them.

There was a wealth of valuable advice offered by individuals in this network, which to me emphasizes that networking can be a difference maker in so many ways.

Here are notes, advice really, about networking:

• the law of probability applies; one needs to meet as many people as possible
• often the best opportunities are not published, but may be identified through networking
• it’s okay to be “old fashioned”, for example, hand written thank you notes can set one apart
• while initially networking can be scary, once one is into it, it can become fun. Attitude is key – try to look forward to meeting people and be friendly
• one cannot rest on one great opportunity, you have to keep networking, cannot rest and count on the one you want
• be careful, no typos, no mistakes in correspondence—it can hurt you
• do not talk too much, try for a balance
• keep a conversation going, ask purposeful questions, learn a lot
• listen, probe gently

Several around the table were search firm professionals and offered that they anticipate an increase in hiring, particularly in certain fields—education, energy, technology, international development, health care and innovation—and they see an increase in the publication of important information about energy and the environment and health care. Bloomberg is coming here and will surely be active.

McCarthy, a terrific person, closed the discussion with vision of a three-legged stool for those out looking for a great opportunity, the legs being:

• maintain your faith
• get out of bed early, stay in shape, be diligent
• don’t give up

I love watching good people be good leaders. We can all continue to learn, get better. And so I was taken by McCarthy’s leadership –principled, caring, disciplined, and inclusive!