Meeting people, getting to know them and learning what matters to them will be of great value to you in the long run. Build relationships, expand your network and invest in growing your circle of friends, colleagues and acquaintances.
While we all know that networking has a potential to produce great value, this became even more evident to me during a conversation I had with a colleague last week. During our chat over coffee we have realized that we have a few mutual friends some of which are university presidents, provosts, vice presidents, deans, CEOs, COOs, CIOs, legal counsels…across the country, across the world.
The value of your network could potentially be invaluable and be the difference maker when you need it the most. While your knowledge, work ethic, experience and skills are extremely important, your network will at times overshadow them all. Proactively work on building and maintaining your network of folks around common ideas, values and interests. Be intentional about your career, about your life.