Professional Advantages of Networking for New Perspectives

You’re probably thinking: “Yes! Networking is important. Now, what?”

But stay with us here!

One very important aspect of networking is often overlooked. When you are intentional with networking you can gain new perspectives and information from those in your network, and this will truly help you progress in your career!

How you ask? Well, let’s dive in:

• Networking will help you gain a deeper understanding of your industry. Whether your network is large or small, if everyone in it is very similar, you may not have as strong a network as you think you do. When you surround yourself with only people who think like you and have similar experiences, you and your network will all see the industry with the same lens. This means you may be missing key trends, opportunities, and perspectives that are indications of change. By reaching out to different people, and especially those with varying perspectives, you can gain a clearer vision of your industry. This will help you better understand where it is currently and where it can go in the next five, ten, fifteen years, or beyond. This is how you keep up with changes in your industry and stay ahead of the curve.
• Gain a wider view of your industry, as well as broader connections within your sector and beyond:

It’s easy to fall into a routine in any job. It’s also easy to fall into the habit of learning new information from your regular sources OR depending on the same people in your network. This limits your view and you may miss important details from other entities, industries, or provincial, national, and global jurisdictions. Seeking new perspectives, new contacts, and new information allows you to see these connections and piece together a bigger, more detailed puzzle – and even see where else you might fit into it! Having a more holistic view of your organization and your industry will help you develop as a strategic or systems thinker. Who knows where your skills might transfer, or what aspect of other industries you may be drawn to if you know more about it.

• Create a more solid strategic networking plan:

When you talk to new people and gain new perspectives, this also gives you a clearer idea of who else you should talk with to better gain knowledge, information, and experience. It’s important to have a plan to further grow your network in your industry and a strategy that allows you to meet people with different perspectives will help you build your name and reputation in the industry. It never hurts to ask for more thoughts on what experiences will benefit your goals, what courses to take, what jobs to apply for, or what project to take on. At the end of the day, you get to decide, but the information can help you make a more informed decision.

These advantages create opportunities for professional growth in your industry. Seeking out new perspectives, new knowledge, and even new suggestions for growth can help you advance your career, make a name for yourself in your industry, and understand how you can position yourself and your industry for success in the future.

How do you start conversations with those in your industry that you don’t know? What are your experiences searching for, and finding, new perspectives? Let us know in the comments or send us a DM on LinkedIn – we want to hear your stories!