Today's career and job search vocabularies are saturated with a word that usually contains a negative connotation: networking.
Networking, a word birthed in pyramid schemes contains the sense of using or being used for the benefit of another. Its also known as small talk, benign or useless conversation and the most dreaded of all job search activity.
Many people see networking as a necessary evil in the job search resulting in anxious awkwardness.
Networking when I need it is all about me. Networking when you need it is all about you.
What about a style of connecting that is all about "us"?
The interdependent need to grow, develop and expand our professional sphere with positive influence needs to be rebranded as career pollination.
It is intentional, purposeful and vital to the overall wellbeing of our livelihood. Let's reframe this very important and essential activity in a positive and sustaining light.
CAREER POLLINATION
Just like bees and hummingbirds pollinate the world, we do the same for one another. Our relationships must be a give and take demonstration of trust and positive action. This can harness great power to diminish discouragement and alter the course of our careers.
Career pollination is defined as the intentional transfer of information in the world of work from one professional to another. It is the key prerequisite for successful job searches and future opportunity. It is the fusion of two or more persons' knowledge synchronized to each other's professional needs. It is a symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship to the person, company, industry and world.
BE A CAREER POLLINATOR
Pollinators are those incredibly important people who naturally make us feel comfortable, validated, and needed. They bring mutually beneficial people together for the common good of everyone.
I can think of several pollinators in my life who are linked to my professional development and success.
They've knocked on doors and introduced me to people I would never have otherwise known. Pollinators connect people for positive outcomes that benefit all. How am I pollinating other colleagues' success?
This is the key: building intentional relationships for the common good as we exchange information makes the world a better place.
What could be more rewarding?
Just like one bee cannot possibly pollinate the entire floral landscape, we cannot navigate the world of work alone. The more we pollinate, the less discouraged and isolated we tend to be.
BENEFITS OF POLLINATION
Connecting to people and transferring information to another can have profoundly positive effects.
1. We reproduce successful relationships with colleagues and industry partners.
2. We tap into the nectar (positive energy) of relationships with one another that inspires us to greater success.
3. We provide an important service to humanity by connecting to each other. What is truly more important?
Pollinating is becoming a lost art because we no longer make the time and space for it.
CREATE AN INTENTIONAL BEEHIVE OF ACTIVITY
Creating a beehive of active relationships and takes time and energy. It doesn't happen overnight yet every moment spent produces great reward.
Here are some healthy beehive activities:
1. Have lunch twice a month with professional colleagues.
2. Have coffee with an industry expert every three months.
3. Read one book a month on your career trends, future growth and best practices. Have conversations with co-workers and give the book as gifts.
4. Join at least one new professional organization each year.
5. Take a class at least once every two years to enhance your professional development.
6. Volunteer in your community.
7. Take a moment and meet all the neighbors on your street.
8. Write an email of appreciation or affirmation to your colleagues or better yet, a phone call!!
The honey of career pollination is found in the connectedness of other professionals who challenge, encourage and develop us to be our best and find meaning in our work.
How healthy is your hive? My wellbeing depends on it.
Networking, a word birthed in pyramid schemes contains the sense of using or being used for the benefit of another. Its also known as small talk, benign or useless conversation and the most dreaded of all job search activity.
Many people see networking as a necessary evil in the job search resulting in anxious awkwardness.
Networking when I need it is all about me. Networking when you need it is all about you.
What about a style of connecting that is all about "us"?
The interdependent need to grow, develop and expand our professional sphere with positive influence needs to be rebranded as career pollination.
It is intentional, purposeful and vital to the overall wellbeing of our livelihood. Let's reframe this very important and essential activity in a positive and sustaining light.
CAREER POLLINATION
Just like bees and hummingbirds pollinate the world, we do the same for one another. Our relationships must be a give and take demonstration of trust and positive action. This can harness great power to diminish discouragement and alter the course of our careers.
Career pollination is defined as the intentional transfer of information in the world of work from one professional to another. It is the key prerequisite for successful job searches and future opportunity. It is the fusion of two or more persons' knowledge synchronized to each other's professional needs. It is a symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship to the person, company, industry and world.
BE A CAREER POLLINATOR
Pollinators are those incredibly important people who naturally make us feel comfortable, validated, and needed. They bring mutually beneficial people together for the common good of everyone.
I can think of several pollinators in my life who are linked to my professional development and success.
They've knocked on doors and introduced me to people I would never have otherwise known. Pollinators connect people for positive outcomes that benefit all. How am I pollinating other colleagues' success?
This is the key: building intentional relationships for the common good as we exchange information makes the world a better place.
What could be more rewarding?
Just like one bee cannot possibly pollinate the entire floral landscape, we cannot navigate the world of work alone. The more we pollinate, the less discouraged and isolated we tend to be.
BENEFITS OF POLLINATION
Connecting to people and transferring information to another can have profoundly positive effects.
1. We reproduce successful relationships with colleagues and industry partners.
2. We tap into the nectar (positive energy) of relationships with one another that inspires us to greater success.
3. We provide an important service to humanity by connecting to each other. What is truly more important?
Pollinating is becoming a lost art because we no longer make the time and space for it.
CREATE AN INTENTIONAL BEEHIVE OF ACTIVITY
Creating a beehive of active relationships and takes time and energy. It doesn't happen overnight yet every moment spent produces great reward.
Here are some healthy beehive activities:
1. Have lunch twice a month with professional colleagues.
2. Have coffee with an industry expert every three months.
3. Read one book a month on your career trends, future growth and best practices. Have conversations with co-workers and give the book as gifts.
4. Join at least one new professional organization each year.
5. Take a class at least once every two years to enhance your professional development.
6. Volunteer in your community.
7. Take a moment and meet all the neighbors on your street.
8. Write an email of appreciation or affirmation to your colleagues or better yet, a phone call!!
The honey of career pollination is found in the connectedness of other professionals who challenge, encourage and develop us to be our best and find meaning in our work.
How healthy is your hive? My wellbeing depends on it.
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