Network Wisely

Be mindful about intention and professional development

By Michael McAndrew, FACHE

Recently, while speaking with a chapter leader, I asked why some events were well-attended and others were not. His theory was that most of the well-attended meetings and events were due to the speaker’s prominence. A CEO for a large health system, for example, usually attracts more engagement than a speaker with deep but highly specialized subject matter expertise on a handful of important industry areas.

He further explained that many attendees found time to prioritize engagement in industry groups when it might help them connect with someone who might further their career. Health system leadership attracts careerists with strong ambition and aspiration.

However, it’s fair to say that when it comes to networking, there is a real risk of veering from authentic and intentional interactions toward less valuable transactional ones.

This got me thinking about my own experience with networking.

Authenticity is a critical component in networking. Engaging with colleagues with a little self-awareness helps ensure your intentions are tailored to align with colleagues around shared values, priorities, and practices. It also reveals much about your character. The exchange feels less genuine when networking is pursued purely in the self-interested pursuit of a higher station. When we align with others with an authentic intention of developing professionally by learning from colleagues and their successes and failures, a valuable connection that goes beyond the superficial bounds of a transactional relationship can be established.

I have worked in healthcare for many years and held various positions across different organizations. I have sometimes experienced unemployment and sought new opportunities due to downsizing, restructuring, and/ or business closures.

Sometimes, I found a new position on my own with the help of an executive recruiter. More often, however, I received assistance from people I had networked with over the years. I didn’t connect with them, thinking they would help me find a new job someday. I engaged with them because I liked them, and we shared common interests. My network also proved valuable for identifying reliable vendors and partners, potential new employees, and innovative ideas for strategic initiatives. It was a dependable network because I made an effort to stay in touch with those individuals over time — not necessarily frequently. But periodically, as time passed, these connections took root and turned into something fruitful down the road.

Over time, members of my network reached out if they saw I had become unemployed. Sometimes, it included an offer to join their team or a lead for another position. Those connections were there because I had found value in them for reasons beyond helping to secure an immediate position. Certainly, deep down, networking as I did was a hedge against inevitable risks to my livelihood, but I didn’t seek out a networking connection only when I needed it.

Don’t wait until a CXO is leading an event. Go and network with others who, like you, want to learn, advance their careers, improve healthcare, and make new friends who can provide guidance and support.

At minimum, you will experience the richness of community. Studies have shown that strong professional connections significantly contribute to improved well-being by providing a sense of belonging, reducing stress, boosting confidence, and offering valuable support networks. Connections are more powerful when they are reciprocal and involve genuine interactions where individuals feel valued and understood. According to Nicola Strudley, MCoun, MBACP SNR, a therapist who writes on various topics around human connection and mental health, networking has benefits beyond livelihood that speak even more to our deep-seated need for community and connection.

“The importance of genuine human connection and networking cannot be overstated. Whilst technology has undoubtedly revolutionized the way we communicate and network, it is the depth of personal connections that still holds the most power in our professional and personal lives,” Strudley wrote in a recent article. “Similarly, networking plays a pivotal role in our professional growth. While the term “networking” may conjure up images of business cards and cocktail parties, at its core, it is about forging meaningful connections with others based on shared interests, values, and goals.”

Here are some other areas where networking and connections are beneficial when done right:

• Reduced stress and anxiety: Having a supportive network of colleagues can buffer against work-related stress, allowing individuals to share concerns and receive emotional support.

• Enhanced self-esteem and confidence: Positive interactions with colleagues, including receiving praise and recognition, can significantly boost self-worth and confidence in one’s abilities.

• Increased job satisfaction: Feeling connected to colleagues and having a sense of belonging within the workplace can lead to higher job satisfaction and engagement levels.

• Improved mental health: Strong professional relationships have been linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety, highlighting the importance of social connection in overall mental well-being.

• Access to information and support: A robust professional network provides access to valuable information, career advice, and support when facing challenges or navigating career transitions.

• Reciprocal support: Being able to both give and receive help within the network strengthens bonds and fosters a sense of community.

• Shared goals and values: Connecting with individuals who share similar professional aspirations and values can enhance feelings of belonging and understanding.

Finally, another important reason to develop and maintain your network is how technology has transformed the job search. With an ATS in place, having a contact at the organization you’re interested in can be extremely beneficial. They might help you get noticed or even secure a position.