What is the real reason you network?
Whether you are an experienced networker or just about to start, it is always useful to sit down for a moment and ask yourself why you really network.
A good method for this is the 5-Whys. Initially developed for the Toyota company to identify the root cause of a problem, this method can be used in practically any situation. The idea is to ask yourself 5 times ‘Why?’.
1. Asking yourself the 5-Whys.
Let’s take the example of Mark. He wants to make a career change and go from Finance to Marketing. He decides to start networking with marketing professionals.
Why? I want to know more about the requirements to work in marketing.
Why? I am thinking about changing sectors.
Why? I need a more creative job.
Why? I feel there are too many rules to respect in my current job.
Why? I work in a very hierarchised environment.
2. What if the 5-WHYs have unexpected results?
Using the 5-Whys can result in revealing reasons that are different from what you thought. In this case, maybe Mark doesn’t need to change sectors, but change companies? If so, he should network with peers in the same sector and check if other companies have a less hierarchised environment.
Keep in mind that your ‘Why?’ can also change over time. After a couple of networking interviews, you will validate or invalidate some of your ideas. It might thus be useful to go back to the basics and have another look at your networking goal as well as to your ‘Why?’.
Also, be honest with yourself. It might be disappointing to realise your ‘Why?’ is not what you thought it was. To come back to Mark, he got maybe very excited about a career change. Despite this realisation sparing him time and energy, it can be difficult for him to accept this change of perspective.
Now, up to you, ask your ‘Why?’ and get it out there! Let me know how it went!
