Successful networks have 12 types of connections
Recruiters can build more valuable and strategic networks by actively seeking out 12 specific types of connections, according to a leadership coach.
Professionals whose networks consist solely of people who think like them are significantly handicapping their careers and development, says Janine Garner, but she notes that “we tend to be drawn to clusters of ‘sameness’, staying in our comfort zone”.
“A broad range of different thinking and ideas generates competitive advantage. It is from differences of opinion, ideas and thoughts that opportunities emerge,” she says in her soon to be released book, It’s Who You Know.
One way to gauge the diversity of a network is to imagine hosting a party, and work out how many of the invited guests would already know (or know of) each other, Garner says.
“The more they know each other, the more closed and tight your network is. If hardly any of your connections know each other, then you probably have a pretty open and diverse network.”
12 key people
Garner cites US entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn‘s adage “you are the average of the five people you surround yourself with” to outline her model of the 12 types of people successful professionals have in their networks.
The 12 comprise a group of archetypes that offer different modes of support, education and other benefits, and they can be grouped into four core categories based on their traits and what they can offer.
One of these core categories is the ‘butt-kicker’: a person who can accelerate someone else’s journey, push them to do more, and hold them accountable for their actions, Garner says.
“Many people wrongly assume that their butt-kicker is their boss (or their mum). Sure, your boss may drive you to manage your workload, personal development and career… But your boss is not your butt-kicker unless they’re encouraging you along the path towards your future goals. A true butt-kicker has your back – they’re not riding on it.”
Ultimately, a butt-kicker checks in on progress towards goals regularly, and keeps the person focused and decisive, Garner says.
Butt-kickers can take on the form of mentors – people who invest their time and energy to help another person, use their experience to help them, and guide their personal or professional choices, she says.
They can also be ‘accelerators’ – killing procrastination, making things happen out of nothing, and saying “get on and do it!”
The importance of teachers
Garner also identifies the ‘teacher’ archetype as a core figure professionals should seek to include in their networks, because “many people don’t invest in their own mastery”.
Teachers help develop knowledge, wisdom and foresight, she says, and will possess more experience, share what they know, and present information the networker hasn’t seen before.
The other archetypes include ‘promoters’ – three types who can make noise about someone’s potential possibilities, inspire them to dream big, and rave about them even when they’re not in the room; and ‘pit crew’ connections who play a more nurturing role, keeping people on track, and preventing untoward emotions from getting the better of them.
