October 17, 2024
Networking Advice for Busy Executives
Most executive level jobs are filled through personal connections. They are never advertised and don't go to executive search.
The reasons are understandable. Recruiting through a CEO’s personal connections can be faster and less expensive, and results in hiring someone who comes with a strong referral from a trusted colleague.
Given this reality, it's logical that executives would invest time in maintaining the relationships they build up over their careers. That would maximize the chances of hearing about opportunities through these informal networks. But many do not, and in failing to do so they miss out on a lot of opportunity.
Over time, executives who do great work build relationship equity with a core group of people who will actively advocate for them. These relationships, like all human relationships, are like plants — they need to be watered from time to time or they will die. "Water" in this case is simply staying in touch, preferably in person.
People who neglect these relationships say they don't have time to invest in them. They're so hung up in the short term, day-to-day demands of life they aren't looking out for their own long-term interests.
Here's my prescription for all of you who are failing to maintain your professional networks: Resolve to have breakfast with a former colleague twice a month.
Breakfast is easy because it usually comes before the workday begins, so there won't be many conflicts. Twice a month may not sound like much, but it's twenty-six meetings per year. You can do that, right?
By the way, if you think this will be a grind you need to adjust your attitude. Reconnecting with former colleagues should be fun. If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong.
