Networking: A good thing for professionals and leaders

A guest post from Wake Forest’s Professional Development Center (PDC)

Networking can be a polarizing topic. Just the sight of the word “networking” can bring up all sorts of different ideas and connotations.

“Brown Noser”
“Business Card Collector”
“Relationship Builder”
“Only for Extraverts”

No doubt, these and other ideas you may have are legitimate. In our work with professionals and leaders, we strive for everyone to think of networking in a beneficial way by developing a framework around networking that not only is a source of positivity but also is seen as a necessity to build collaborative relationships and effectively work with and/or lead others.

If you struggle with the concept of networking, think of it the way Merriam-Webster defines it: Networking is the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups or institutions, specifically, the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business. We should give and receive resources and build relationships with our colleagues in order to accomplish goals and enhance the meaning in our work. Networking can be positive and essential to us as professionals and leaders.

Need more evidence? There’s a lot of research on the benefits of networking beyond the decades of research on social capital theory that says the better we are connected, the better we do in work and life.

  • LinkedIn’s own research and other research reveal the benefits of networking for helping us in our careers and in finding jobs;
  • Networking is positively related to how we currently feel about our career, our salary, and growth rate of our salary over time as seen in this study, or in this study, or this meta-analytic review; 
  • Another study suggests networking is positively related to our job performance; 
  • Weak ties in our networks are also important. Those in our networks who are more casual acquaintances with infrequent interactions (known as “weak ties”) actually provide much-needed, non-redundant information and can aid in our career development as can be seen here and the research mentioned in this story;
  • Research also indicates that effective leaders have an Open, Diverse and Deep network (O.D.D.) that ineffective leaders do not have. Mapping our networks and determining if they are O.D.D. can help us be better leaders.

If you are interested in learning more about what networking really is, how to be better at networking and making it a natural part of who you are, and how it can help you be a better professional and leader, sign up for the PDC In-Person course: The Whys and How Tos of Networking  on September 18.

Or, sign up for other upcoming PDC courses. We consistently receive feedback from those taking our courses that while they are learning new skills that benefit them on their job, they are also meeting new people they would have never met before. Enrolling in  PDC courses like the ones below (offered in September) can help you meet more WFU colleagues and enhance your network.

Upcoming Offerings:

PDC In Person: ResilientWake Fall 2024 – learn how to develop and integrate resilience skills into our everyday life using a cohort model.

PDC In Person: Introduction to the Enneagram Fall 2024 – learn about the Enneagram to help you understand your strengths, challenges, and motivations. 

Continue your professional development with the PDC:

Or, contact our professional staff:

Director of the PDC and Learning & Development
William (Bill) Gentry (gentrywa@wfu.edu)

Manager, Learning & Development
Missy Campbell (campbem@wfu.edu)

Assistant Vice President, Faculty & Staff Experience
Melissa Clodfelter (clodfem@wfu.edu)

Categories: Personal & Career Development

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