Does Your Network = Your Net Worth?

In my article "Why Exiting Your Job Can Make Or Break Your Brand", I discussed the importance of keeping your brand intact for future opportunities. A major part of your brand includes the breadth of your network and the ability to call on the right resources at the right time. Your net worth directly correlates to the importance you place on your professional relationships and the ability to make time to foster a common bond.

Let's take a quick temperature check for how well you engage others:

• How many people do you have in your network? 

• Using this list, how many have you interacted with in the past 90 days? 

• Have you found resources that were valuable in your time of need?

• Have you been a valuable resource to someone in their need? 

Your answers to these questions can be a good indication for how well you engage with your connections. If you believe your network equals your net worth, then are you making time to share yourself with others? 

Networking can mean different things, to different people, at different times, but it does not lead to a real relationship unless you take the necessary steps to put others first. At most, it is a superficial exercise that can come across opportunistic. When you look through your contacts list (digital or otherwise), you will find that networking can easily amount to nothing more than a list of professionals who you really don't know. Developing strategic relationships from your list is the distinguishing factor for how you value your connections, and through this process you also create the ability to be resourceful and deliver results.

How Can I Help You?
If you know the value of relationships then you know that networking is not relationship-building. Networking can bring immediate short-term gains, however it does not take the mid to long term benefits into consideration. If you have networked with someone recently and want to develop a professional relationship, then the strategic question you should be asking is, "How can I help you?". This simple question is the beginning of cultivating a genuine relationship and the reciprocal process of a partnership.

Do You Give Back or Forward? 

Sometimes you can't avoid being the first to call on your network for help. This should be understood, and hopefully one of the reasons why your network exists, to provide assistance in your time of need. If you believe in the universal law of "reaping what you sow", then how many good seeds are you planting? The simple act of  contacting those in your network to "offer help" can go a long way for strategic collaborations in the future. If you can't pay back those who have helped you along your journey, then pay it forward by helping someone in their time of need...you were there once too!

How Do You Build Your Net Worth? 

As you look through your list of contacts, find those who you have not connected with in a while or those who you want to develop a stronger professional relationship. Send a brief message offering your assistance. If you receive a response for help, hopefully you have the expertise or information that is useful. If not, take this opportunity to introduce her to one of your connections who can assist. You may be surprised at the response you receive from this transparent gesture and even what may develop for you professionally as a result of reaching out. 

Ultimately the goal should not be giving to get back, but genuinely offering help to others for furthering their goal. The payback for you will be the reciprocation of quality, professional relationships which can have endless possibilities for your career success.

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Stacey Rivers - Career Advice Blogger