Why Your Network Matters and How To Grow It

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As I write this, I'm sitting in my home office in Wellington, planning my next trip to Perth. As I look at my calendar, I’m feeling a familiar feeling.

I'm building again.

Over the past couple of years, I've been slowly building up my leadership development practice in Perth, Australia. This year, I'm doubling down on that.

Around 20 years ago, I was doing something similar. But back then, I was facing the other way. Standing in Perth, looking toward New Zealand, wondering how on earth I was going to make that leap.

In both cases, the starting point was the same.

Relationships.

When I moved from Perth to New Zealand back in 2007, I knew just a handful of people in Aotearoa. That handful comprised people I'd met in my travels around the world, people I'd developed solid, trusted relationships with.

That handful was enough to get me started.

From there, I grew a network of relationships that opened doors, created new opportunities, and kept me focused and grounded. Some of those relationships are still active today. Others have faded. But each one played a part in helping me create the work I do now.

It's the same now. Having lived away from Perth for nearly two decades, there are still a handful of people who are my starting point. Mike House is one of them. (You can hear my conversation with Mike on the Dig Deeper podcast if you're curious about the kind of deep, generative conversations that matter).

Tapping into this small network of good people is helping me get the momentum I need.

Networks Matter

With many leaders I work with, I notice an aversion to the idea of building and leveraging networks. "What's the point?" they ask. Some see it as transactional. Others see it as inauthentic. Still others just don't know where to start.

I get it. The word 'networking' can feel a bit grubby.

But here's the thing. As leaders progress through their careers, there comes a decision point: get serious about growing your network of relationships and exponentially have more impact. Or stay at the level you're at.

Neither choice is wrong. It comes down to what 'success' means to you.

For me, success has always included creating lasting impact. And that's where networks come in.

Because for those looking to create lasting impact, networks matter.

Nine Network Roles You Need

Over time, I've come to see that the people in our networks play different roles for us. Some open doors to new opportunities. Others hold up mirrors so we can see ourselves more clearly. Some challenge us when we need it. Others champion us when we doubt ourselves.

I've found that there are nine distinct roles people can play in your network. Having a balanced set of well-cultivated relationships across these nine roles can help you accelerate your progress and stay grounded while you do it.

Let me give you an example of what I mean.

‘Door Openers’ are people who connect you to opportunities you wouldn't otherwise have access to. Mike House has been this for me in Perth. He's opened doors, made introductions, and helped me understand the landscape in ways I couldn't have done on my own.

‘Critical Friends’ are those who give you the feedback you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. They hold you accountable and challenge your thinking.

These are just two of the nine roles. The others include Trusted Peers, Able Enablers, Savvy Advisors, Alt. Thinkers, Wise Guides, Good Mates, and Solid Grounders.

You already have a network. Is it the one you need? The question isn't whether you have people in your network. You do. The question is: do you have a balanced set of relationships across these roles? And are you cultivating them deliberately?

I reckon most leaders don't. Not because they don't want to, but because they've never really thought about it this way.

If you're curious about the strength of your network through the lens of these nine roles, I've created a simple diagnostic tool. It's free, and it takes about 10 minutes to complete. It's one of the most downloaded tools I've ever created because it gives people useful insights about where to focus their energy.

You can find it here.

What might become possible if you invested more deliberately in your network? What doors might open? What impact might you create?

These are questions worth sitting with.

Whether you're building a practice in a new market, creating change in your organisation, or stepping into a new chapter of your leadership, you don't have to do it alone.

The handful of people you trust can be enough to get you started.