The Power of Nurturing Your Network

In a world moving faster than ever, the relationships we nurture may be our greatest strategic advantage.

As I thought about strategies for myself, and for others, going forward this year, I came to a simple conclusion.

It was time to slow down a little and spend more time nurturing my relationships.

Over the years I have built a wonderful network of fellow board members, colleagues, and ACE graduates. Like many of you, much of our communication has shifted online over the past several years. The convenience of Zoom and virtual meetings has been remarkable, and it continues to serve us well.

Lately, I began to feel the need to reconnect more intentionally in person.

So, this year I started organizing breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with people in my network whenever possible. Sometimes it’s a quick coffee, sometimes a longer meal, but always an opportunity to reconnect.

Of course, I still use online meetings. They are incredibly efficient and allow us to stay connected across distances. Now I am deliberately blending the two, keeping the convenience of virtual meetings while making a renewed effort to spend time together in person.

Interestingly, I am noticing the same shift happening more broadly.

Organizations, local, national, and international, are bringing conferences back in full force. Last year I attended several events that were outside my normal professional circles. I spent time traveling, meeting new people, and exploring new places.

It reminded me how valuable curiosity can be.

Experiencing different perspectives, cultures, and industries keeps our thinking fresh. It stretches our understanding of how the world is evolving. And it makes our conversations richer.

I plan to continue doing this. In fact, I have already taken one trip this year and have several more planned for the same reason, to explore new places, meet new people, and continue expanding my network.

I have found that this approach feeds my intellectual curiosity in ways that online interactions alone cannot.

When I sit down with colleagues I already know, our conversations are different now. I have new experiences to share, and they do too. We talk about what we are learning, where our careers are evolving, and what perspectives we are gaining from our own journeys.

Those conversations deepen relationships in ways that quick virtual updates often cannot.

This is exactly what I encourage my ACE graduates to do as well.

Make a conscious effort to connect with your network, and to nurture those relationships.

If you are attending a conference, reach out ahead of time and schedule time with people you know. Set up coffee meetings. Plan dinners. Take advantage of the opportunity to have real conversations.

As technology, AI, and digital communication continue to accelerate the pace of our lives, making time for human connection becomes even more important.

These relationships sustain us. They also strengthen our work in the boardroom.

For those already serving on boards, staying connected with a broad network helps you understand the pulse of the market from many perspectives.

For those seeking new board opportunities, whether corporate, public, or private, your network is often the bridge to the next opportunity.

So, I encourage all of us to continue nurturing the relationships that have shaped our journeys—and to remain open to building new ones.

Our networks, past, present, and future, are among the most valuable assets we carry throughout our careers.

Your Champion for Getting Women on Boards,

Michele

P.S. After training hundreds of women for board service, I am getting closer to my goal of training 1,000 women. Stay tuned for a special promo coming in May to help us cross the finish line. Also I will soon be launching a new book: How to Make Every Board Want You—Attracting Your Ideal Board Seat. Watch for the release soon.