How strong is your network? Are you investing, or neglecting?

It's really easy to get complacent when it comes to communicating and networking. When you are busy with work, and in your groove, it tends to be the last thing you are focused on.

However, your network, and your connections are the underlying fabric of your long-term success.

You heard me. Your network is KEY to your current and future success!

What would you do if you found yourself without your current job? Who do you reach out to when you need help outside your wheelhouse? How do you operate when you are tasked with something you know very little about?

You reach out to your network. You ask for assistance. You go to other sources for information. (And if you don't, you should!)

The more robust your network, the deeper your own personal bench strength!

I think most of you know this to be true.

But when was the last time you communicated with someone you didn't know? How often do you seek out new people, or take a peek outside your own industry?

How about maintaining your current network? Do you make any effort to connect with those you already know?

Just check in to say hi, and see how things are going?

How about if your network reaches out to you?

Do you find yourself ignoring, or putting off a reply to a person trying to email or call you that you do actually know?

It is so very easy to get lazy in terms of communicating. Even with our existing network!

Why should you take the time to respond to that guy you met at a conference last year? After a long day of 'real' work, why should you take a minute and respond to that girl asking your advice on her training?

You should invest in these connections, because you never know who your future business (and/or personal) partners may be!

Yes, your time is valuable. But authentic communication and connection is also valuable. In fact, it can be priceless!

In the close protection field, I would argue that the scope and quality of your network will determine your success. Period.

When I get calls for support, and requests for assistance in recruiting new talent,  how do I help fill the needs of my clients? I do it by reaching out to the folks I've been staying in relationship with.

I built my global network methodically. I focus on quality interactions, and I do my best to stay connected with these folks, as they are incredibly valuable to both me and my business.

I would not be able to offer the services and quality that I do, if I had not prioritized and cultivated my network.

Now, I haven't always operated this way. In hindsight, I've been very myopic at times in my career, and I let my network fall to the wayside in light of my jobs at various points in time, only to find myself having to rebuild and re-establish those connections when I found I truly needed them!

We've all been guilty of being complacent, and letting our network go cold.

Does this sound familiar, or do you know people like this?   I think we all do.

We tend to operate within our comfort zones, and this can become our 'Network Killer'. Whether you are aware of it or not, your lack of connection and network can be an obstacle to  your career development and upward mobility.    

When you work with the same company or organization for any length of time, you end up  communicating with exactly the same people everyday. There's nothing wrong with this, as it is a normal part of your job. And, assuming you never change jobs, never need help, and are completely content within your career exactly as is (as in not growing at all), then there's no need to network or connect with new people.

But in this day and age, how likely is anyone to stay with a company more than 3-5 years?

Not many, and that's a data-proven fact.

Let's pretend you are comfy in your company, you are in familiar turf with your colleagues and vendors, and make little to no effort to reach out to new contacts. You probably make very little effort to stay in good communication with most of your existing network. You likely respond only 'as needed' when you get that LinkedIn message or random text from people you've met in the industry. Maybe you don't respond at all, because you think you don't need to.

All is good and you are comfortable.... But what if things change?

What if you decide you are bored and in need of a new adventure? What if the pay isn't what you hoped and you need to move on? What if the economy slips? Your corporate partners change strategy (and you're no longer part of it)? Someone in your family gets sick and you have to revamp your personal and professional life to accommodate?

You catch my drift. Life happens, and things change.

Where do you start as you look to make your change? Who will help or advice you in your transition?

In these scenario's, three things generally happen at later stages.  

1. You start networking like a "Mad Man" calling everyone (within your small little circle), trying to figure our what the heck you're going to do.  

2. You utilize your narrow network, and score yourself a 'buddy-system' job in the private sector making more that your previous job. Then, go right back to your small circle and myopic view. (While this certainly happens, I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for it!)

3. You realize your current situation is ending, and that you HAVE TO move on.  Now you're calling everyone on your contacts, and checking in with them after years of ignoring everyone.  Oh, and it comes off that way to them to.  Trust me! It doesn't feel great to have the guy that's been ignoring you for 3 years suddenly filling your inbox with fake interest and a need for a job!

I know everyone reading this knows exactly the type of people I'm talking about. 

Or is this YOU?  I know I've struggled in the past with job complacency and some of these traits.  The hard part can be looking in the mirror and recognizing how we contribute to our own situation.

It's a tough pill to swallow! 

Now, on the flip side of things.  We have known or seen  other people or co-workers who network profusely (all of the time) and who just seem to know everyone and have connections everywhere. They transition from job to job moving up and (communicating and networking) increasing their mobility and income the entire  way. 

These people sometimes appear to just have a 'Golden Thumb' or have some 'secret sauce' for success.

We tend to look at these people and say, "Man that Guy/Gal is Lucky" or "Wow, I can't figure out what that guy/gal is doing".  

Another one of my favorites that I hear a lot is "He or She just has that type of personality, wish that were me".

Now, for each of these myths about successful networking, I have to call B.S.

You get out of your network, what you put into your network!

True statement!

Communicating and networking are very under-developed skills, not just in the security world, but in our society overall.

Now, please don't confuse sincere communication and networking, with fake outreach for personal gain, or the sharing of gossip or rumors (as those would be the opposite of what I'm talking about). 

I will spend some time in a future post to talk more about healthy communications and networking, as I see these skills as being foundational to success in security industry, and most especially in the EP/Close Protection world. They are arguably the most misunderstood and poorly executed skills I see in candidates and even in experienced operators and business owners.  

What has your experience been in terms of how you cultivate and leverage your network? I always love to hear how other people engage with their networks, so let me know what's working for you!

 

Steve Albritton is the Founder and CEO of OPStructure, a strategic executive protection and security consulting firm focused on enhancing team and individual performance, and providing customized security solutions to meet the security needs of discerning individuals and companies. With a background in both military and law enforcement, Steve has developed and managed EP details at the highest levels of the industry. With over 15 years in global private sector security, he has managed teams & directly supported some of the most selective, and high-profile clients in the world. You can find Steve at www.opstructure.com