INT 165 - Why Networking is Important as a Leader

As a leader, you may believe there’s no need to network. However, you never know when you need to have the right relationship with the right person. 

What if you decide to make a career change out of the blue? Who can you have in your corner to back you up and let others know you’re perfect for a job in another industry?

In this empowering session, host Linda Yates speaks with Sabine Gedeon, a transformative leader for emerging women leaders, on the importance of networking. Sabine shares the intricacies of networking, demystifies traditional networking approaches, and valuable tips for leaders.

Prepare to be inspired as these lovely leaders explore the paths to owning your voice and maximizing your impact through strategic network-building. Listen to this week’s Int-HER-rupt podcast episode to learn why leaders must network. 

A Powerhouse in Leadership Development

• Linda opens by celebrating Sabine's networking and personal growth achievements, setting the tone for a session filled with inspirational anecdotes and actionable advice.
• Sabine's journey from corporate HR to entrepreneurial triumph showcases the indispensable role of networking in career advancement.
• Recounting her recent transformative experience, Sabine sheds light on her self-assessment, releasing limiting beliefs, and redefining her aspirations. Her motivation to empower women is fueled by finding one's voice, embracing authority, and making a meaningful impact.

Navigating Networking Dynamics

• Sabine brings a fresh perspective to traditional networking by reflecting on her initial approach of emulating her older white male colleagues - an act that felt insincere to her true self. 
• Recognizing the struggle many face in large group settings, Sabine prefers intimate one-on-one conversations at events to create genuine connections. 

The Virtual Handshake: Networking on LinkedIn

• Sabine highlights LinkedIn's burgeoning role in modern networking. The platform redefines connections, allowing more personalized interactions and providing the convenience leaders crave for scouting talent and marketing themselves.
• She shares a story about building relationships through LinkedIn when she first moved to a new city. 
• Be sure to listen, as it's a powerful story to give you hope in your networking abilities.

From Mentorship to Sponsorship

• Sabine boldly advises women to pivot from seeking mentors to finding sponsors. This shift underlines the significance of relationships, encouraging women to exhibit their worth and secure sponsorship opportunities. 
• Linda resonates with this view through her stories of how sponsors significantly influenced her career progression.

Consistency Breeds Networking Success

• Sabine attributes her networking accomplishments to diligent practice, establishing consistency, and strategically expanding her network when she transitioned into entrepreneurship. 
• Her LinkedIn presence is not just about seeking clients but also embodies the spirit of reciprocity and giving back to the community.

Practical Strategies for Effective Networking

• Sabine shares several strategies for effective networking within the episode. These strategies include:
• Practicing and maintaining consistency in networking efforts.
• Expanding networking reach on social media such as LinkedIn.
• Focusing on one-on-one interactions at networking events.
• She emphasizes the power of reciprocity in networking, suggesting that giving to others can pave the way for mutual benefits. 
• Additionally, she highlights the importance of mindset, recognizing the value of relationships for business success, and advises identifying people within one's network and creating a plan to build and maintain those relationships.

Networking is never easy, but it offers abundance in your career and personal goals. Sabine’s expertise allows listeners to trust their strengths to build professional relationships.

Join us for this transformational session and equip yourself with the tools to navigate your networking journey with confidence and purpose!

"Practice. We're not taught networking in school, so it does not come naturally. Also, it's one of those unwritten rules in corporate where no one sits you down during your onboarding and says, hey, you need to network. The other thing, too, is the consistency, because once you start to see the results, it makes you want to do it more." - Sabine Gedeon.

Resources

Sabine Gedeon

Sabine Gedeon on LinkedIn

Sabine Gedeon on Instagram

Freebies from Sabine Gedeon

If this episode connected with you, reach out to Linda and let her know. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.