The Importance of Networking for Leadership and Business Success

“Your network is your net worth.” – Porter Gale

In the world of leadership, networking is not just a valuable tool—it’s an essential one. Building and maintaining meaningful connections can open doors to opportunities, provide support in times of need, and give you access to knowledge and resources that are crucial for long-term success.

In this post, we’ll dive into the importance of networking as a leadership skill and explore four key strategies you can use to build a powerful network that supports your personal and professional growth. These insights are based on the leadership expertise of Angie Dobransky, founder of RAD Strategic Partners.

Why Networking Is Crucial for Leadership

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” While knowledge and expertise are vital, relationships often play an even bigger role in career growth and business success. As Angie explains in her video, networking helps you expand your influence, gain access to new opportunities, and build trust with those around you.

Networking isn’t just about managing your team internally. It’s about how well you can navigate and build relationships with clients, partners, peers, and your broader community. Successful leaders understand that relationships are the backbone of any business.

In Angie’s experience, networking was the key to opening doors. She recounts how her career at Liz Claiborne began because of a connection she had built while working with another company. The opportunities she gained from her network weren’t accidental—they were the result of intentionally building relationships that spanned industries and geographies.

The Benefits of Networking

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of networking, especially for leaders:

Access to Opportunities: A strong network can present new career opportunities, partnerships, and business deals that you may not have found on your own.
Support and Advice: Your network can act as a sounding board when you need advice or support. From business strategies to personal challenges, your connections can provide invaluable guidance.
Learning and Growth: Networking exposes you to new ideas, innovations, and perspectives. Conversations with people from different backgrounds can spark creative solutions or reveal new ways of approaching a problem.

The 4 Essential Networking Strategies for Leaders

So, how can you start building a network that supports your leadership and business success? Here are four strategies Angie highlights in her video:

1. Be Intentional with Your Networking

Many people approach networking with a quantity-over-quality mindset, trying to collect as many business cards or LinkedIn connections as possible. But Angie advises that true success comes from building meaningful relationships, not just accumulating contacts.

Effective networking is about connecting with people who are aligned with your personal and professional goals. Whether it’s fellow leaders, potential clients, or mentors, focus on nurturing genuine relationships that add value to both parties.

Action Tip: Identify key people in your industry or community who you would like to connect with, and make an effort to engage with them in meaningful ways. Instead of a “spray and pray” approach, invest time in quality connections.

2. Follow Up and Maintain Relationships

A one-time meeting or handshake isn’t enough to build a lasting relationship. The true power of networking comes from maintaining the connections you make. As Angie notes, successful leaders make a habit of following up after meetings or events and keeping their network alive by staying in touch regularly.

Building strong relationships requires effort over time. A quick message to check in, an offer to help, or even a shared article can help you keep the conversation going.

Action Tip: After meeting someone new, send a follow-up message within 48 hours to thank them for their time and continue the conversation. Set reminders to regularly check in with key contacts, even if it’s just to catch up.

3. Provide Value to Your Network

Networking is a two-way street. It’s not enough to reach out only when you need something. Instead, offer value to your network by sharing advice, making introductions, or providing support whenever you can.

Angie emphasizes that one of the best ways to strengthen your connections is by being helpful and generous. When you provide value to others, you build trust and establish yourself as a reliable and resourceful leader.

Action Tip: Look for opportunities to give back to your network. Introduce two contacts who could benefit from knowing each other, offer help or advice in areas where you have expertise, or share relevant information that might be useful to them.

4. Stay Consistent Over Time

Consistency is key to maintaining strong relationships. Networking isn’t just something you do when you need help or when you’re actively looking for opportunities. Instead, make it a regular part of your routine.

Angie shares a personal story about how scheduling regular check-ins with her network has helped her stay connected with people over time. These consistent touchpoints ensure that when opportunities or challenges arise, she has a solid support system in place.

Action Tip: Create a networking calendar to schedule periodic check-ins with key contacts. Aim to maintain relationships even when there’s nothing immediate at stake. Consistency will help keep your network strong and engaged.

Conclusion: Start Building Your Network Today

In the fast-paced world of business, it’s clear that networking is an essential skill for leaders. Building and maintaining meaningful connections can unlock doors to new opportunities, provide access to invaluable resources, and help you grow as a leader.

By following these four strategies—being intentional, following up, providing value, and staying consistent—you’ll not only build a strong network, but you’ll also see the long-term impact on your business success.

Take a moment this week to evaluate your current network. Who haven’t you reached out to in a while? Who could you reconnect with or offer support to? Challenge yourself to reach out to three people and begin cultivating those relationships again.

For more insights and detailed tips, watch Angie’s full video above, and don’t forget to subscribe for more leadership advice!

Key Takeaways:

Networking is a critical leadership skill that provides access to opportunities, support, and knowledge.
Build meaningful connections with people aligned with your goals, and focus on quality over quantity.
Follow up regularly and stay in touch to maintain relationships over the long term.
Provide value to your network by offering help, advice, and support when needed.
Stay consistent with your networking efforts to keep your connections strong and active.

By mastering the art of networking, you’ll not only grow as a leader, but you’ll also set yourself and your business up for long-term success.

Action Steps for Successful Networking:

Be Intentional:
Don’t just collect contacts—focus on building meaningful relationships with people aligned with your goals.
Conclusion: Prioritize quality connections that can support your growth.
Follow Up:
After meeting someone, follow up within 48 hours to continue the conversation. Set reminders to regularly check in with key contacts.
Conclusion: Consistent follow-up is crucial to nurturing long-term relationships.
Provide Value:
Offer advice, introductions, or support to your network. Networking is a two-way street, and generosity strengthens connections.
Conclusion: Look for ways to give before you ask—this builds trust and credibility.
Stay Consistent:
Make networking a regular habit by scheduling periodic check-ins, even when you don’t need anything.
Conclusion: Consistency helps keep your network strong and ready to support you when opportunities arise.