Building a Strong Leadership Network

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

Why should I join a professional association? I am often asked this by young nurse leaders who are short on both time and money. They fail to see how a network built from participation in a professional association can not only enhance their professional growth but also prove to be a wise career investment. Many nurse leaders don’t make the investment in having a strong network of colleagues both within and outside their own organization. When they decide to make a career change (or are forced to), this can be very detrimental. Their connections on LinkedIn can be helpful but these tend to be superficial relationships.

Many career opportunities now occur through referrals by those who know you and your work. When building a professional network, nurses should first establish an understanding of their goals and who the relevant people/professional associations are in your area of interest. Networking is building professional relationships over time so they are there when you need them. Tom Henschel, a leadership podcaster, provides the following 12 golden rules of networking:

Networking is about planting, not hunting – Henschel advises that relationships build over time. One should never reach out and try to network and then abruptly ask for a job.
Effective networkers add value to others – when networking, we should adopt a mindset of abundance, not scarcity. What can we do for the other person first? Perhaps we can connect them with a colleague or send them an interesting article. The best networkers are givers not takers.
Be professional – have an up to date LinkedIn page, a professional message on your phone and email account and business cards.
Go native – carefully study the dress and behaviors of those you want to influence – dress like them.
Be prepared – networking opportunities can occur in the most unlikely settings. Always carry at least one business card in your wallet and be ready to build a relationship.
Craft your elevator speech – when you are asked “what do you do” or “what are you looking for” – have a short coherent answer that should run off your tongue easily.
Be positive – Don’t complain about anything to people you try to network with – you are trying to build a relationship not receive therapy.
Share the air time – the best way to start to build a relationship is to ask the other person about themselves and their career. Spend as much time listening as you do talking.
Follow up consistently – if you have been helped by another, reach out to say thank you by writing a note. If you have been given some homework to do – do it and then get back to them with follow up information.
Dig your well BEFORE you are thirsty – by the time you need to build relationships – it may be too late because relationships take time to cultivate and build through trust. Networking should be seen as a professional investment.

These golden rules are great advice. Today’s health care environment is volatile, and therefore, building a strong leadership network should be part of a professional insurance policy.

Read Rose Sherman’s new book available now – The Nurse Leader Coach: Become the Boss No One Wants to Leave