I recently read an op-ed in The New York Times with one eye on the paper and the other rolling in the back of my head. (Metaphorically, that is. Don't try this at home!)
The piece, written by Professor Adam Grant of The Wharton School, is titled “Networking is Overrated”.
The essence of Professor Grant's opinion is it's not who you know, it's what you do . In other words, achievements are more effective calling cards to success than a corporate network.
It notes the popular success stories of Justin Bieber and Adele, whose talents have shone on social media and caught the attention of music executives, and SPANX founder Sara Blakely, whose proceeds rose above all else when Oprah Winfrey chose it as one of her favorites. things of the year. Professor Grant's thesis is that great ideas and great work get attention. To paraphrase one of my son's favorite movies, Field of Dreams , “If you build it, they will come. ”
I would like to live in this world where talent, ingenuity and skill guarantee success.
But no. Neither do you.
Related: 4 Secrets of Incredibly Successful People
Networking is not overrated. When done right, it can be the most effective and important tool for success. Especially for women, for whom doing a good job is often not enough.
According to a 2016 study by Women in the Workplace, women are less likely to receive the critical first promotion to manage, so many fewer end up on the leadership path and are less likely to be hired into higher positions. The study concludes that women simply have less access to the people, inputs and opportunities that accelerate careers. Women do not network or work effectively.
Both women and men believe that support from senior leaders is critical to success. Yet women report fewer interactions with these senior leaders than men. They are also less likely to say that a senior manager helped them get promoted.
This disparity may be due to differences in the professional networks of women and men. Women are three times more likely to depend on a predominantly female network. Since men tend to occupy higher-level positions, this means women are less likely to have access to people with the power to open doors for them.
Related: The Habits of 12 Highly Successful Women
Carol Bartz, former CEO of Yahoo, says the problem is that “women are spending more time Doing and less time networking .
Alison Mass of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. says it's essential to spend 10-20% of your work time networking. My personal philosophy is that there is no one networking school. Create rules yourself that you are comfortable with. Call someone rather than email. Comment on someone's essay on LinkedIn. Go to the desktop mixer, even if it's only for 30 minutes.
I'd much rather have three actual conversations than meet and trade cards with 30 people. How to set real ? It usually means that I have found at least one way that I can actually benefit that person. The rest can build from there.
The benefits of networking are irrefutable. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% of jobs and promotions are found through networking. Employers fill most job openings through the “hidden job market” – internal candidates, referrals from colleagues, friends and employees. You have to be part of the equation, and you will only be by networking.
In all honesty, Professor Grant recognizes the benefits of networking, so I'd like to think the best philosophy lies somewhere in the middle. Success is not about what you know or who you know. It all depends on who knows what you know. Those who can share their accomplishments are the ones who will thrive in this economy.
Related: 8 Proven Networking Strategies of Successful Entrepreneurs
