H o w A Leader’s Network and Community Matter By Janet Kendall White In many business and entrepreneurship programs, the topic of community and/or networking come up and are taught as key components of success. “It’s not what you know but whom you know”. How important is it for all leaders? Just like it can make or break a business owner, the same holds true for leaders that are employees in organizations. In last month’s Soar to Success article, I shared how entrepreneurial mindsets are critical for leaders. Community, developing a network is one of those mindsets. I am not sure where I would be without a couple of the communities that I am part of. Some of them last a chapter of a person’s life and some of them our lifetime. As a leader who are you allowing to influence you? Be your sounding board? Be there when you need a shoulder or hand up? Be your advocate for the next position? Network plays a critical role: • In a leader’s progression – connecting with and learning from people who have been where you want to go • In a leader’s development - content experts both in soft skills and technical skills and people willing to hold the mirror up that care more about where you want to go than concern of loss of the relationship • In a leader’s support – people you can lean on and let your guard down with • In a leader’s mobility – An advocate in your organization that will speak on your behalf and has more influence than you do
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