3 ways to design your professional network so everyone wins

A network is a powerful life and business asset. According to a 2019 RockPaperStar Inc. research survey of 500 people, networking as a word makes many people uncomfortable.

It's the actions around networking that make people self-conscious and unsure how to talk about themselves with confidence and clarity without sounding like they are bragging or overselling. Large groups for networking make people even more uncomfortable.

So, pause for a moment and think about how you act when you meet new people or when you introduce people to one another. Do you personalize your introduction? Do you know what the person does well enough to make them sound different for example than other lawyers, accountants, marketing professionals or coaches? Do you rush your connections or appear to be building a relationship for the short term?

Successful professionals eventually realize the power of a network. For example, your boss asks you to bring in new business or you want to build relationships inside your company or you need to network with new people since you are looking for a job.

Here are three strategies for how to design your network and take specific actions.