Mapping the Critical Relations in Your Developmental Network

Every time I complete the exercise – Mapping the Critical Relations in Your Developmental Network –  I’m reminded of the importance of paying attention to who we have around us for support – whether for learning, ideas, a sounding board or even moral support. Throughout my corporate career, athletic pursuits, personal endeavours and in growing my business, I’ve had mentors, coaches, friends and colleagues who have been instrumental in my learning and resulting accomplishments. I designed the Mapping Network exercise to help people think strategically about their community of support.

Often our developmental network happens by chance more than design and yet having community of support around us is essential to our growth and development. Taking the time to map out this network helps us identify those key people available to us that we may not have realized. It also helps us identify gaps, enabling us to think strategically about what additional support would be helpful given our current personal and professional goals. I’ve also noticed how my needs change over time as I switch directions with my business, move to a new city or want to try a new sport.

Your Professional Network Map

Creating a picture of your network allows you to think strategically about the type of people you’d like to add to your network to support your current goals, opportunities and challenges. In this workshop you will:

◆ learn how to think strategically about your network, considering factors such as current goals, network diversity and types of relationships

◆ create your current professional network map identifying network strengths and gaps

◆ identify approaches to expanding your network and ideas for finding and connecting with just the right people.