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Building Relationships forCareer Success

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Copyright © 2018 Next Step Partners BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS FOR CAREER SUCCESS

NEXT STEP PARTNERS

Copyright © 2018 Next Step Partners

This publication is protected by copyright law. Reproduction in any form is strictly prohibited without the express permission of Next Step Partners.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS FOR CAREER SUCCESS

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS FOR CAREER SUCCESS www.nextsteppartners.com

Relationship Competencies – Self Assessment Indicate the frequency that you engage in the behaviors below by circling the number that corresponds to how consistently you do the following:

1 = Never | 2 = Rarely | 3 = Sometimes true | 4 = Most of the time | 5 = Always

Networking Structures I regularly go to lunch with colleagues inside my company. 1 2 3 4 5

I regularly go to lunch with colleagues outside of my company. 1 2 3 4 5

I regularly go to industry events. 1 2 3 4 5

I make time for social engagements. 1 2 3 4 5

I belong to my university and/or grad school alumni association. 1 2 3 4 5

I regularly spend time updating contact information for my friends and acquaintances. 1 2 3 4 5

Openness and Curiosity I approach others with curiosity. 1 2 3 4 5

In conversations, I listen at least as much as I talk. 1 2 3 4 5

I’m open to new relationships where the value to me may not be apparent today. 1 2 3 4 5

I’m curious about other people’s values, experiences and ambitions. 1 2 3 4 5

I assume I can learn something from most people, including people who are younger or less experienced than I am.

1 2 3 4 5

Generosity I think about how I might help others inside my company. 1 2 3 4 5

I think about how I might help others outside of my company. 1 2 3 4 5

I facilitate introductions for others. 1 2 3 4 5

I help others with their career development and/or job searches. 1 2 3 4 5

I recognize occasions that are personally meaningful to people I work with (e.g., birthdays).

1 2 3 4 5

Diversity and Inclusion I regularly connect with people from different demographic backgrounds. 1 2 3 4 5

I regularly connect with people across different age groups and experience levels. 1 2 3 4 5

I regularly connect with people outside my industry and job area. 1 2 3 4 5

I stretch myself to build relationships with people who on the surface seem quite different from me.

1 2 3 4 5


Relationship Competencies – Self Assessment (cont.)

Self-Management I have a coherent way of talking to others about myself and what I’m up to. 1 2 3 4 5

I manage my time well. 1 2 3 4 5

I don’t make assumptions about how valuable someone will ultimately be to me. 1 2 3 4 5

I take a long-term investment approach to building relationships. 1 2 3 4 5

When I interact with people who are junior to me or who have less power, I avoid intimidating behaviors.

1 2 3 4 5

I am aware of different communications and relational styles (e.g., introverted vs. extraverted), and I’m able to adapt my own style in a way that makes others comfortable.

1 2 3 4 5

At large events, I avoid cliquish behavior. 1 2 3 4 5

Persistence and Follow-Up I assume that I should take the lead in reaching out to people. 1 2 3 4 5

When I don’t get an immediate response, I don’t hesitate to do appropriate follow up. 1 2 3 4 5

I don’t get discouraged when people are slow to respond. 1 2 3 4 5

When I have a setback (e.g., someone doesn’t have time for me), I don’t let this affect my other networking activities.

1 2 3 4 5

I follow through on my own commitments, large and small. 1 2 3 4 5

I send thank-you notes and emails, and do so promptly. 1 2 3 4 5



Relationship Competencies – Brainstorming Exercise Think of a person you respect who is skilled at building, maintaining and accessing relationships:

1. Who is this person?

_________________________________________________________________________

2. What does this person do that makes him or her effective?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

3. What kinds of things doesn’t this person do (this might be negative behaviors they avoid, or techniques that others use that they don’t)?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

4. What can you emulate about this person? What do you already have in common with him or her?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________


Step 1 Map Your Current Network Use the Networking “Radar Screen” below to map your existing network. Put the names of individuals in your network into the appropriate ring. Do this for as many people as come to mind.



Step 2 Assess and Evaluate Your Network

Career Goals

• Near-term career goals (1-3 years)

• Long-term career goals (3-10 years)

Existing Network Assessment

• What’s working in my network?

• What’s not working in my network? Where am I over invested? Where am I under invested?

• Given my career goals, what kinds of people should be in my network?


Step 3 Develop Your Network – Action Plan Template

Building a Stronger Network

• People to connect with

• Organizations to join

• Other practices

Specific Plans & Commitments

• Networking structures (daily, weekly or monthly)

Focus on Weak Ties

• The three weak ties I will reach out to in the next month are

1.

2.

3.

Personal Accountability

• To keep myself accountable I will



Personal Board of Directors – Brainstorming Exercise Write the name of someone you know who:

1. Is incredibly organized ________________________________________________________

2. Knows how to have fun _______________________________________________________

3. Knows everyone _____________________________________________________________

4. Can give you encouragement in tough times ______________________________________

5. Can be direct with you about your weaknesses ____________________________________

6. Is unfailingly logical ___________________________________________________________

7. Is deeply empathetic _________________________________________________________

8. Is open minded ______________________________________________________________

9. Can handle a crisis ____________________________________________________________

10. Has known you since childhood _________________________________________________

11. Is a good listener _____________________________________________________________

12. Is entrepreneurial ____________________________________________________________

13. Has a cool job _______________________________________________________________

14. Is good at making decisions ____________________________________________________

15. Is not afraid to fail ____________________________________________________________

16. Has good work/life balance ____________________________________________________

17. Is an expert in the type of work you do ___________________________________________

18. In an expert in a type of work you are interested in _________________________________

19. Is successful in your field ______________________________________________________

20. Gives good advice about office politics ___________________________________________

21. Gives good advice about professional development ________________________________

22. Is someone you trust with your life ______________________________________________

23. Thinks you are highly skilled at what you do _______________________________________

24. Thinks you have great talents beyond your current job ______________________________

25. Thinks you are a great person __________________________________________________


Notes

Do You Have a Leadership Challenge?Let’s Talk.

Next Step Partners SF | 415.518.1297NY | 646.489.4494LA | 323.938.0690

Online | WebsiteNextStepPartners.com

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