Why you need to network internally
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I suspect most of us think of networking as an event, a skill, or an action that is done outside of our own organizations. We attend networking events, meetings, meals, or gatherings where we might be getting to know potential clients or customers, vendors, or personal friends.
Whether you enjoy networking or not, you probably understand the importance of networking externally: to find new clients or vendors, to learn from others, to build relationships, or to meet possible new employers or employees.
When is the last time, though, you thought about the importance of internal networking? You might call it team building or bonding. It’s all about getting to know your employees, peers, leaders, and team members.
Why is this important? The more people you know in an organization, the more likely you are to:
- Become an advocate for the mission and vision of the organization
- Gain more business knowledge to advance your career
- More thoroughly understand the company’s true culture
- Know when opportunities are available
- Understand your colleagues’ strengths, weaknesses, and working styles
- Communicate more clearly with coworkers and understand their communication better
- Build trust with your teammates
- Look forward to going to work
- Be considered for a new opportunity or team project
Internal networking is a lot like external networking, but it can be easier. You’ve got the shared bond of working for the same company, so that should take away some barriers of unease. How can you get started?
- Make the first move.
- Do your homework. Learn about them before you meet – their role, their hobbies – to create more topics of conversation.
- Ask good first questions. Then even better second questions.
- Listen to learn. Take notes if it helps.
- When it’s your turn, be prepared and concise. Tell a story, but keep in mind the purpose of your time together.
- Consider future opportunities. Think about how you can continue to support one another – professionally or personally.
- Invite someone to lunch or coffee – at any level – and share that you are interested in learning more about them, their role, their work style, etc.
- Connect with someone you met recently on LinkedIn; this is a statement saying “I want to be connected to you.”
- At your next work function or even in the breakroom, challenge yourself to talk with someone you didn’t know before.
Internal networking – or getting to know people at work – is not just a social nicety but a strategic move that contributes to a positive workplace culture, enhanced collaboration, and individual and collective success. As a whole, an organization is healthier when the individuals within it know their colleagues and the work they do.
JoDee Curtis is the owner of Purple Ink LLC and the author of 5 books in the JoyPowered series.