Studies have show that leaders and millionaires have strong networks. Networks are, however, difficult to build. There are so many worthy organizations and boards that we can become involved with. Where should you focus? Many choose to follow their passion, which is extraordinarily important. I propose that we insert a previous consideration: alignment with your business and personal goals. I believe the first step is to ensure that whatever group you become involved with will enable you to build relationships with people that yes, share your passion, but also can benefit your business. It doesn’t make sense to me to spend time making the world a better place if you are not taking care of your own world at the same time: yourself and your family.

How do you do this? Our business, for example, focuses on strategic planning and initiative management, so we want to connect with top decision makers and business leaders. I first did an analysis of the movers and shakers in our business community and learned what professional and civic organizations they were involved with. Several groups stood out as key centers for top-flight executives.

From there I mapped those groups against my passions. One top organization in my community, for example, is the Lyric Opera. However, I cannot get excited about opera to save my soul. If I were to participate, it would be transparent that I didn’t truly care and was there only to hone in on people for my own business purposes. While that approach may work for many, that represents the part of networking that I don’t like and am not good at: finding people to ‘use’.

Instead, I get involved in organizations that I am absolutely passionate about. I radiate sincerity, energy and commitment naturally. I am working shoulder to shoulder with top business people around a common cause, and building meaningful, values-based relationships. People get to know and believe in me, just as I do them. And the benefits ripple outward in the most unexpected ways.
An example is appropriate. As a woman in technology, I frequently found myself as the only women in the room, particularly earlier in my career. With this increased awareness, women’s issues became important to me. A second passion is job creation, and its precursor - education. To me, in order to make lasting, generational positive impact on the world, create jobs. I am here today because someone in Ireland over 150 years ago could not find a job. Given these passions, how did that direct my social capital, or networking, strategy?

First, I joined WITI. I found an incredible community of smart, caring, passionate women to explore professional strategies with. Second, I did pro-bono consulting for an organization that supports women entrepreneurs. As a result of this, I was invited on to the Mayor of Chicago’s technology advisory council, a group dedicated to creating high-tech, high-wage jobs in the city. This work resulted in being awarded NAWBO’s Outstanding Woman Leadership Award. And through all of this, I have been building my business by building tremendously rewarding relationships and making a positive impact on the world.

There truly are so many causes and organizations that call out to us and our talents. With time so very limited, focus is critical. I urge you to think with both your head and your heart, strategically and passionately, about where you spend your time and talents. Who do you need to know to further your business and personal goals? Where are they contributing to their community? Which of those causes appeals to your heart? Where you can make a meaningful contribution and build rewarding relationships? How can you take care of yourself, your family, your business and make the world a better place? Thoughtful and rewarding questions to consider as you continue on your journey.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3