Networking
with Courage &
Confidence
LINDA BIDLACK, MA, PCC
RESILIENT LEADERSHIP COACHING & CONSULTING
LINDAKBIDLACK@GMAIL.COM
Networking with Courage & Confidence

Networking at its worst and its best

“The inner game runs the outer game.” Mastering Leadership


Confidence comes from within

Courage is how you show up despite discomfort
Practice
What is networking?
At its worst
At its best

Collecting business cards

A learning conversation
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Hoping for a referral without saying so
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Being curious
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Schmoozing
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Win-win interdependence
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Sending a resume without being
asked
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Scanning for opportunities to help or
connect others
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Using people

Shared air time
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Only reaching out when desperate
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Open access to ‘the 150’ over time
Networking is the deliberate process of exchanging information, resources, support, and access in such a
way as to create mutually beneficial relationships for personal and professional success. Contacts Count
The Inner Game
Your Source of Confidence

Accept your path up to now
Self-compassion
 Clean up your self-talk


Self-awareness
Develop a 1-2 sentence career narrative
 Clarify what you want to learn
 Clarify what you can give
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Congruence between the inner game and outer game is
authentic presence.
The Outer Game
Reaching out in Spite of Doubt is Courage

There is no safe way to be great or great way to be safe.

Self-management and social awareness
Mastering Leadership

Be fully present
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Have a list of open-ended questions
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Assume mutual learning
Emotional Intelligence & Networking
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Relationship Management
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Be interesting! Give little nuggets; pause after 2 minutes.
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Conversation is like tennis

Not a one-time conversation
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Offer first, ask second
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Follow through
5 Best Networking Practices
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Aim for one good conversation per event
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Talk until you find things you have in common
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Follow your genuine curiosity; don’t pretend
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Practice asking curious questions
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Create your own networking events
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Meet for coffee
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Hold a salon on a topic of interest
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Host a mutual planning retreat
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Organize a ‘mastermind’ group to keep yourself accountable
Selected Resources
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Make Your Contacts Count, by Anne Baber and Lynne
Waymon

How Leaders Create and Use Networks, Herminia Ibarra
and Mark Lee Hunter, HBR, January 2007

Networking for Introverts, by Dorie Clark, HBR, August
15, 2014