You receive an email from an old colleague you have not heard from in over three years since you last worked together.  They are inviting you to have a coffee, saying it’s been too long since a catch up.  

You read the message; you think about the time you worked together.  Fun, positive memories come to you, and then sadness that you disconnected.  Nothing happened that you can think of.  You left the organisation and then lost touch, other than the odd appreciation thumbs up on a post on social media. 

You accept the coffee invite, and at coffee learn that they are looking for their next new role.  You want to help, but don’t feel you know the person well anymore.  You have no idea about their current experience or their career direction.  You scan your internal connection database thinking about who you could connect them with… no obvious introductions you could make come to mind. 

The problem here? 

This network connection has been disconnected.  A reconnection is required (and we know from any time we try and join or connect to something how tedious that can be). 

For many people, networking is something that occurs as a task, outside of the day to day.  We think about networking as attending events.  Something you go to and then something you do.  Attending events fits into the category of networking, however there are other ways we can network that don’t require you to attend regular events (but it’s great if you do). 

It’s useful to think of networking as something you maintain rather than something you do.  In maintaining something, like your fitness, or a plant, even a relationship, consistent focus is what is the key ingredient to ensuring that thing you are maintaining lasts.  

What if we thought of networking as a thing that we do without thinking, so we can have a live connection in place all the time.  Think about it like access to wifi.  You need it for connection, so you don’t need to rely on other data.  When we access wifi we are connecting into the local network wirelessly making communication or accessing the internet a lot easier.  

Here are five ways to maintain your network:

Cultivate Genuine Relationships 

Networking is not just about exchanging business cards; it’s about building authentic relationships. Focus on establishing meaningful connections by actively listening, showing genuine interest, and offering support to others. Take the time to understand their goals, challenges, and aspirations. Follow up with individuals after networking events, connect them with relevant resources or contacts, and nurture these relationships over time. 

Leverage Social Media 

I am surprised at the number of people that lurk but don’t interact on social media.  You can utilise social media to expand your network in an authentic way for you.   Build a strong online presence by sharing relevant content, participating in industry discussions, and connecting with professionals in your field. Engage in meaningful conversations, offer insights, and establish yourself as a valuable resource. Join industry-specific groups or communities to connect with like-minded individuals and expand your network further. 

Volunteer and Join Associations 

Engaging in volunteer work or joining professional associations related to your field provides opportunities to connect with individuals who share similar interests. Volunteer for projects, committees, or community initiatives where you can contribute your skills and expertise. This not only allows you to give back but also enables you to connect with other professionals who are passionate about the same causes. 

Seek Mentors and Join Professional Development Programs 

Identify individuals in your industry who have achieved success and whose expertise you admire. Approach them respectfully and express your interest in learning from them. Having a mentor can provide guidance, insights, and access to their network. Additionally, consider joining professional development programs, workshops, or courses that bring together individuals with similar career aspirations. These programs provide opportunities to network with peers and industry leaders. 

Attend Events and Networking Opportunities 

Participate in industry conferences, seminars, workshops, and networking events. These gatherings bring together professionals from various backgrounds and provide a platform to meet new people, exchange ideas, and establish connections. Actively engage in conversations, ask questions, and be genuinely interested in others. Networking events often lead to fruitful connections and opportunities. 

Being strategic about how you build your network makes good sense.  To maintain your network, keep yourself connected.  How can you help those in your network?  Offer the help, with no expectation of anything at all in return, except that you are staying connected and avoiding that time consuming reconnection process. 

Ultimately nurturing your network is about taking care of each other.  It’s about giving more than you receive, and it’s about care, compassion, understanding, empathy and love. 

So, what are you doing for your network? 

Rita Cincotta coaches, facilitates and speaks on individual and team performance, leadership development and ways of working. She works with organisations to develop human-centred solutions that help people and businesses to thrive. 

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