Living the Global Human Need to Connect

Hi there, happy Thursday.

Welcome to issue #40 of the Network Wrangler. I’m putting the finishing touches on this newsletter from my hotel room in Chitose, Hokkaido. I fly home twelve hours from now after spending a little over two weeks here in the northernmost prefecture of Japan. This trip has been full of moving through nature and exploring the mountains and forests of Hokkaido. I’ve enjoyed the novelty of being one of the few Westerners around as I’ve driven our little group of four to out-of-the-way places well off the beaten path for most non-Japanese tourists.

Aside from those in my group, I think I’ve seen less than 10 Westerners over the entire time we’ve been here in Hokkaido. But what I’ve experienced in terms of friendliness and helpfulness has reminded me of the basic human drive we all have to connect with each other by helping in a pinch.

I know enough Japanese to introduce myself and start a conversation in a friendly way before having to resort to pantomime skills along with repeats of kudesai (please), sumimaisen (sorry), and origato gozaimas (thank you). And yet that’s enough to signal I’m trying to communicate (however poorly) and invite a reciprocal outreach to try to distill what it is I’m looking for/wanting and helping me get it.

Three of the best meals we’ve had here in Japan were thanks to my asking locals where they’d recommend we go (in my halting Japanese), and these were not the kinds of places you’d rely on TripAdvisor or Google ratings to steer you towards.

During this trip, I’ve led with vulnerability, and time after time, I have been met with kindness. This has been a great reminder that even when we’re able to speak the same language, we can use this same formula of being vulnerable to create a connection with others.

Now, I’m not saying to throw yourself at the mercy of others without trying on your own. There’s got to be some skin in the game for it to really work. I’m saying make an attempt that shows you’re trying, but needing some help, before asking someone to lend you a hand. You’ll create the space for that basic human drive to help each other to flood in and connect you together. And what a wonderful way to start building out your network with new people!

I’ll be talking more about the lessons I learned out in the national parks and the surrounding small towns of northern Japan in future newsletters. Until then, think about when was the last time you let someone help you as a way to establish a connection? Spend some time this weekend thinking about how you can use this to expand your network in new and interesting ways, and then try it out next week.

My inbox was mercilessly light after last week’s newsletter on the benefits of having a strategic networking goal, but I did hear from a few of you who wished I’d started a couple of steps back in the process to address how actually to set a networking goal.

Here are four steps you can take to maximize your connecting efforts to further your career.

4 Actionable Steps for Identifying a Strategic Networking Goal

Whether you’re starting fresh or revisiting your existing networking goal, here are some practical steps you can take today to identify the right goal for yourself and your career.

1. Assess Your Current Situation

   Before you can set a strategic networking goal, it’s essential to evaluate where you currently stand in your career. What are your strengths? Where do you feel you need to improve? Are you seeking to advance within your current role, switch industries, or learn new skills? Answering these questions will help you identify your most immediate needs, which can be the foundation for your networking goal.

   - Action Step: Take 15-20 minutes to reflect on your career journey. Write down your key strengths, areas for improvement, and what you hope to achieve in the next 1-2 years.
   

2. Define Your Long-Term Career Goals

   What do you ultimately want to achieve in your career? Defining your long-term goals will provide clarity and direction for your networking efforts. Whether it’s reaching a leadership position, becoming an expert in your field, or transitioning to a new career, having a clear vision of where you want to go will help guide the types of connections you seek.

   - Action Step: Write down your top three long-term career goals. Be specific about what success looks like for each goal, and consider how networking can help you get there.
   

3. Identify Key Individuals and Organizations

   Once you’ve defined your goals, the next step is identifying the key individuals or organizations that can help you achieve them. Consider industry leaders, potential mentors, peers, and professional groups that align with your objectives. Go back over your existing network to see who can provide a link to someone you want to meet. Knowing who to connect with will make your networking efforts more targeted and effective.

   - Action Step: Make a list of five individuals or organizations that you believe could help you reach your networking goal. This could include attending industry conferences, joining a professional association, or contacting a mentor. Or reconnecting with an old and cold connection!
   

4. Set SMART Networking Goals

   As with any goal you set, to ensure your strategic goal is actionable, it’s important to set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, instead of just saying, “I want to grow my network,” your SMART goal might be, “I will attend two industry events each month and connect with at least three new professionals at each event who can help me learn more about transitioning to a new role.”

   - Action Step: Develop two SMART networking goals that align with your career objectives. Write down the steps you’ll take and the timeline for achieving them.

Networking with a strategic goal is one of the most effective ways to advance your career and make meaningful professional connections all while being as efficient as possible with your limited time and attention. By assessing your current situation, defining your long-term goals, identifying key individuals, and setting SMART goals, you can ensure that your networking efforts are focused, purposeful, and productive.

What else might I have missed that would help someone set a strategic networking goal? Let me know by dropping me a line.

Thanks for reading the Network Wrangler! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

P.S. Want to comment/reply/say hello? Just hit reply — your email goes straight to my inbox. 🤗