A professional tribe, or network, is more than a collection of business cards or LinkedIn connections... so much more.
The idea of consciously creating your tribe might initially sound a bit odd. We often expect “our people” to appear in our lives organically without any deliberate effort on our part. However, the truth is that the world is busy, our lives are busy and the odds of meeting “our people” as we queue for a coffee on a day we are not distracted by our phone… well, those odds are low. What we need to do to ensure we have the right people in our professional (and personal) corner is to actively curate and support those connections so we can navigate our careers more effectively and with more ease.
A professional tribe, or network, is more than a collection of business cards or LinkedIn connections. It’s a dynamic system of relationships that can lead to significant career advancements, creative collaborations and enriched life experiences. The right connections can fuel your ambitions; provide guidance on navigating inevitable changes and challenges; support you through transitions; and open you up to diverse perspectives.
For entrepreneurs, curating a supportive professional tribe can be a game-changer. As Alice Heiman, renowned sales consultant and strategist, emphasises: “Building a network will help entrepreneurs get their product out in the market and get the right people in place.” As most new entrepreneurs will attest, the connections you build can evolve into invaluable resources, aiding in everything from finding a reliable virtual assistant and securing expert legal advice, to attracting the attention of venture capitalists who believe in your vision.
There are a number of stakeholder roles that can prove powerful to your professional tribe. You may not have them all in place and you may not need them all, but taking time to audit who is and who is not in your corner can assist you in building a more powerful tribe. Ideas for some of the roles you might wish to cultivate include mentors, advocates, peers and colleagues, industry experts, investors, clients and customers, or recruiters and HR professionals.
This is where the stumbling block for many occurs – reaching out to weak ties and creating new connections requires courage... However, there are many potential opportunities that await you on the other side of that discomfort.
THE POWER OF INTENTION
Establishing these relationships requires a level of intention. Start by identifying the people already in your network who can serve in these roles. Though we might presume our strong ties already know exactly what we do professionally, how often have you had to stop and think when someone has asked exactly what your friend Mary does? This is an easy place to start but it is important not to stop at our existing strong ties.
Why? Because contrary to what we might think, according to Molly Beck, author of Reach Out, “it is our weak ties that can have the most transformative effect on our careers”. She explains that our strong ties usually move in the same circles, while those with whom you only have a weak connection tend to know other people and information that you do not. They can introduce you to new ideas, industries and audiences. For instance, while your close friend might not have insight into a particular niche, someone you chat with at a conference might know a game-changing contact or piece of information you need. This means it is those with whom we connect less frequently who may expand our horizons most significantly.
This is where the stumbling block for many occurs – reaching out to weak ties and creating new connections requires courage. Many people fear reaching out, driven by anxiety about rejection or social discomfort. This fear of exclusion is rooted in our survival instincts: our ancestors relied on group acceptance for safety, so it’s natural to feel apprehensive about
stepping into new social situations. However, there are many potential opportunities that await you on the other side of that discomfort.
Are you more inclined to reach out to someone who made you feel valued and respected, or someone who merely gave you advice?
EMOTIONAL CONNECTION
One element that distinguishes successful networking that can build your tribe from casual acquaintances, is the emotional component of interactions. As the saying goes, “People won’t always remember what you say, but they will remember
how you made them feel.” Skilled storytellers and speakers don’t focus solely on the message they want to communicate, they focus on the emotion they want to evoke in an audience because this is what will make their message stick. In one-to-one interactions, when we focus on how we want someone to feel, it deepens our mutual connection, creating an emotional bond that makes you more memorable, relatable and, often, more likeable. Think about it: are you more inclined to
reach out to someone who made you feel valued and respected, or someone who merely gave you advice?
In How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie advocates for what we now refer to as “active listening”. As a career coach, active listening is essential for all my coaching conversations – it involves engaging wholeheartedly with the
speaker, noting verbal and non-verbal cues and responding to these. Instead of thinking about what you will say next or musing about what you will have for lunch, active listening requires giving your full attention and exhibiting genuine curiosity.
This practice also allows for deeper connections and the discovery of common interests or experiences. It encourages more vulnerable conversations that can lead to authentic relationships, ones where common experiences are shared. One effective way to engage in active listening is to ask open-ended questions, prompting the other person to share more. Paired with
curiosity, it is a silent connection superpower, and it has the added benefit of meaning you do not need to be the most interesting person in the room. Instead, the focus is on others because by being interested in others, you can ensure they feel
interesting, heard and valued, and all the while you are learning and building potential relationships.
Curiosity also tends to fuel a sense of kindness, and this is important in building a tribe – it is not a one-way street. As Keith Ferrazzi states in his book, Never Eat Alone, “Successful people are givers; they give to their network without expecting anything in return.” Within the IMAGE Business Club, we see this all the time – members sharing resources with each other, making introductions and offering expertise. Driven by kindness and a desire to see others succeed, it also deepens connections between people, allowing them to find meaningful professional relationships and, often, new friendships.
To create a truly impactful tribe, consciously striving for diversity in the individuals you connect with is important. Bringing together people from various backgrounds, industries, and perspectives enriches interactions and fosters creative thinking. Not only does it broaden our understanding, but it also challenges our assumptions, spurring growth and innovation.
MAKING IT A HABIT
Investor, venture capitalist and podcaster James Altucher emphasises the importance of treating your connections like a garden – they require regular attention and care to flourish. Therefore, it is important to make a habit of reaching out to your contacts, sharing relevant articles, offering support, or simply checking in to see how they are doing. James Clear, in Atomic Habits, advocates for setting small, achievable goals that allow you to gradually expand your comfort zone. When it comes to building your tribe, this could be committing to initiating one new conversation at every networking event you attend. Or reaching out to a specific number of new connections each month. Or consciously nurturing your weak connections by sharing a resource with five of them every month. By making these small adjustments habitual, you can transform fear into familiarity. It also builds up what Stephen Covey talks about in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, as “the emotional bank account”. He hypothesised that each positive interaction acts like a deposit while negative interactions are withdrawals. By consistently investing in your relationships through thoughtful engagement, you build a reserve of goodwill that bolsters your network in challenging times – which is often a time when we need it most but have the least amount of energy to look after it.
So, put in the energy now and remember that building a truly powerful tribe is not a sprint; it’s a marathon.
SEEK OUT THE STAKEHOLDERS
Look to diversify your professional tribe with these stakeholders.
MENTORS These seasoned professionals offer guidance and insights to help you navigate your career. Their experience is invaluable, providing feedback that fosters your growth and prevents costly missteps.
ADVOCATES Your personal cheerleaders actively promote you within their networks, opening up opportunities and new connections. These are the people who you overhear championing you as you walk into a room, making you shine. Their support can
lead to career advancements, ensuring your name comes up in the right conversations.
PEERS & COLLEAGUES Standing shoulder to shoulder with you, these individuals foster collaboration and support, creating a culture of shared learning and encouragement. These people can be more difficult to find for entrepreneurs unless they are part of business membership clubs.
INDUSTRY EXPERTS Recognised thought leaders can open doors to vital knowledge and insights. Building relationships with these professionals helps you stay informed about industry trends and best practices.
INVESTORS For entrepreneurs, these financial backers are crucial. Beyond funding, investors often provide mentorship and strategic advice that can turn a mere idea into a successful business venture.
CLIENTS & CUSTOMERS These relationships are fundamental for long-term success. Building rapport leads to repeat business and referrals – happy customers often become your strongest advocates.
RECRUITERS & HR PROFESSIONALS These key connectors can streamline any job search, for you or the team you are trying to build. By developing relationships
with recruiters, you gain insights into job openings and market trends that help you navigate your path effectively.
Photography by Dora Kazmierak
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of IMAGE.
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