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Ideas Into Action Guidebooks

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Mapping Your Network In traditional organizations, managers accomplish their work through others in a direct reporting structure.

Although this structure still exists in some organizations, in many others the traditional hierarchy has changed significantly. In many cases, this is because new technologies make it easier to share information and connect with others. Regardless of how an organi- zation might draw its formal structure, the arrangement of the work itself looks more like a web and less like a pyramid.

Leader

Boss’s Boss

Lateral Subordinate

Peer

Boss

Self

Subordinate

Lateral Superior

Peer

Lateral Subordinate

Outside Vendor

Subordinate Subordinate Subordinate Subordinate

Leadership Networking

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In this fluid, multidimensional environment, leaders are more dependent upon other people to get access, information, and resources to accomplish tasks and goals. They get things done through a large and often diverse network of people over whom they have little (if any) direct control. Much of their work is accom- plished by using relationship-rich skills like influence, communica- tion, and political savvy. Leadership networking provides a con- duit and a context for using those kinds of skills to get results.

Six Requirements of Leadership Networking Improving your leadership network takes time, and it begins with assessing your current network, its strengths, and its weaknesses. It also takes your personal commitment to act in ways that strengthen the relationships in your network and cultivate the relationships you need in your network. Later in this guidebook, we offer specific strategies for developing your leadership net- work. But first, let’s take a look at six critical requirements of leadership networking.

Leadership Networking Demands Authenticity You will be most effective in building your leadership net-

work if you maintain a genuine objective of building relationships, providing support, and accomplishing the work for the benefit of the organization. Your authenticity will generate trust in others; people are drawn to leaders who are sincere and genuine. Net- working is not a ploy for getting your way. People will see through attempts at networking that are self-serving or manipulative. If you earn a reputation as someone who takes but doesn’t give, who

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