I focused on growth through LinkedIn and joined three other online networking platforms, but the biggest piece is that this was all intentional. It’s okay to join these groups, but how will you utilize them? I put a plan in place to network on these platforms a few times a week to fully utilize them and get to know more people. I’ve met many new people, been on podcasts and gained referrals and clients. - Lauren Najar, Lauren Najar Coaching LLC
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# 14 Steps To Take To Build A Strong Professional Network

Forbes Coaches Council
COUNCIL POST
Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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Nov 30, 2022,01:15pm EST

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Connecting with others is an essential skill in both life and business. As a professional, networking with others in your field and other relevant spaces can help boost your expertise and open up avenues to new and exciting opportunities, partnerships and collaborations.

The end of the year is a great time to reflect on the relationships you’ve built and how those connections could be mutually beneficial in the future. Below, 14 members of Forbes Coaches Council each share one step they took this year to connect with others in their field. Read on to see how you can follow their lead.

Members pictured from left to right.

Photos courtesy of the individual members.

## 1. Start With Intentional LinkedIn Outreach

Relationships are the currency of sustained success. I stay connected to my communities—clients, colleagues, mentors, people who truly matter to me and new connections. I begin with intentional LinkedIn outreach to follow people and connect with them. Then, I have regular virtual coffees with those whom I call my “Fabulous 50”—people I want to intentionally stay connected with. I also keep a “who I want to know” list each quarter. - Jodie Charlop, Exceleration Partners

## 2. Collaborate With Global Connections

I believe strongly in building a strong powerbase and focus on paying things forward. I launched a one-day “Coachathon,” bringing together coaches from different disciplines to raise money for a charity to support women in sub-Saharan Africa. I love to collaborate. We ended up with more than 200 coaches from 32 countries raising over £22,000. It was a win for the client, the coaches and the charity, plus it built a community of coaches. - Sandra Pinnington, The WLA (Women Leaders Association)

## 3. Attend A Range Of In-Person Events

Besides nurturing and expanding my global network and relationships virtually, I was able to connect and reconnect with leaders in the local market through a wide range of events. This allowed me to create private gatherings tailored to their needs where we could go deeper into issues and immediate needs, leading to customized solutions and opportunities. It was so rewarding to see them in person! - Izabela Lundberg, Legacy Leaders Institute

## 4. Join A Community In Your Space

I joined the Asian Women Coaching Collective to lean into the community and add to my own continuous improvement. Through AWCC, I have met other coaches with similar interests in advocating for Asian women professionals who share a similar cultural background. In this community, I have found a keen sense of belonging and terrific peer coaches. - Kelly Huang, Coach Kelly Huang

## 5. Ask For Help

I asked for support as a coach, and I was overwhelmed by the response offered. As a result, I became part of a community of practice where we help each other thrive and grow, both personally and professionally. I use this experience to provide “feedforward” to other groups I am a part of. Share your vulnerability with positive intent and be amazed at what transpires. - Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory

## 6. Form Partnerships

I partnered with a larger company and several smaller startups on talent-related projects. This work alone has helped us project real growth for our small company. Also, this closer collaboration has allowed us to share best practices, help each other with business issues and create new business opportunities we could not have created on our own. We want to keep it up. It has revolutionized us. - John M. O’Connor, Career Pro Inc.

## 7. Utilize Networking Platforms

I focused on growth through LinkedIn and joined three other online networking platforms, but the biggest piece is that this was all intentional. It’s okay to join these groups, but how will you utilize them? I put a plan in place to network on these platforms a few times a week to fully utilize them and get to know more people. I’ve met many new people, been on podcasts and gained referrals and clients. - Lauren Najar, Lauren Najar Coaching LLC

## 8. Connect In Educational Settings

I love learning, and I make it a point to reach out to fellow coaches I meet in training and credentialing sessions. Being in these settings can be a vulnerable experience, and I invariably find that I deeply connect with a few people every time. Having that ongoing connection has been a great way to feel part of a broader community. - Nikki Moberly, Big Breakthroughs

## 9. Join A Professional Group

I committed to engaging with members of my ProVisors group. ProVisors is a network of trusted advisors to C-Suite leaders. I visited other groups, attended socials and met with members on Zoom and in in-person troikas. This strengthened my referral network and my ability to recommend excellent service providers to my clients. I’ve also gained new clients through ProVisor referrals, so it’s a win-win-win. - Christine Rose, CEOAccel

## 10. Request A Mentorship

I have had great success in requesting mentorship from people I admire in my field. I stretched by asking those who have accomplished more in my field than me for advice. I found all four people to be helpful, grateful and even flattered. They loved the feeling of giving back and often gave me advice that surprised me, challenged me and paid off. Three of them shared that they had also asked for help! - Dr. Jayne Gardner

## 11. Attend An International Conference

With international travel and live, face-to-face events now becoming normal post-Covid, I focused on attending an international conference. Not only did I learn about new advances to be able to help my clients, but I also met new people, made new friends and even managed to secure a couple of prestigious speakers for my own podcast. - Dr. Rakish Rana, The Clear Coach

## 12. Go To Physical Networking Events

I attended physical networking events once the Covid-19 restrictions in my country were lifted. The industry bounced back with a number of events, and there were sufficient meetups organized by various companies, which allowed me to renew connections and make new ones. It has been extremely useful, as my lead generation increased by 25% as a result. - Thomas Lim, Thrive Consulting Pte Ltd

## 13. Gather Your Own Community

I have gathered a community of like-minded global coaches because I would like to learn and grow and meet people within this space on a more personal level. We help each other learn and grow and add value to each other by offering our insights and concrete tips on certain topics. It works because everyone commits to offering something to the community. Without commitment, there’s no community. - Pernille Hippe Brun, Session

## 14. Stream Live Interviews With Peers

I have started teaming up with other coaches to stream live interviews on topics that are not openly discussed in business. I am trying to help "start the conversation" so that more people can take these insights and use them to start difficult conversations in their businesses. Doing it live is important to help others see that it does not need to be perfect, but taking that first step counts. - Sarah Needham, Unique-U Coaching