Building a strong network that drives your success as an EA.

In our industry, "it's not what you know but who you know". Well, it's a little of both, but you catch my drift!

The most successful EAs have strong, nurtured and effective networks that allow them to stand out from the crowd, achieve the impossible, take on more, manage up and be leaders in their own right. If you've ever wondered how your EA has managed to pull off the impossible, I bet they've reached out to someone in their network. It's about working smarter not harder!

A strong network gives you impact and oomph and is key to your success.

But if you don't have an established network, where do you even start?

1. Don't be disheartened if you don't have a huge network already. Let's use another phrase, shall we: "it's not the size that matters, it's how you use it". You network doesn't need to be big to be effective, and you should instead focus on building upon the foundation you already have. You'd be surprised how big your network actually is if you started to write a list: your co-workers, the caterer you use, your EA network, your old boss...You actually do have a head-start no matter how small the foundation.
   

2. Take every opportunity to expand your network. You don't need to network for the sake of it, you need to simply maximise every new connection. If someone really piques your interest, no matter their seniority, see if they have time for a coffee. Read a blog they've written and comment. If you have five minutes, jump onto Linked In.
   

3. Get to know as many people as possible. The bigger the network, the greater the solution when you need it. You should be getting to know the security guard at the front desk, your caterer, the IT support person etc. When you hit the emergency glass or need to call in a favour, you don't want to be left standing on the island all on your own.
   

4. Become the constant. If you have regular meetings or events, always be the face of it. Hand out the business card, shake guest hands upon arrival. Perhaps you attend a meeting and always say something. Give them a reason to expect or miss you. That will mean you are memorable.
   

5. Past, present, future. This simply means that you should remember those that have come before you, who you need now and who you might need in the future. You should never be ungracious to a junior member of staff - they may just climb the ladder faster than you. Don't put someone in your rearview mirror because you don't need them right now.
   

6. Flex your communication style for your most important stakeholders. Those stakeholders are dictated by who your executive needs to work with to achieve their objectives. If that EA hates email, pick up the phone and call them. If you deal with a very senior office and their EO loves a quick text to confirm something, reply via text at any time of day. You are most likely to be tapped on the shoulder if they need you.
   

7. Use it, don't abuse it. While this seems natural, you'd be surprised by how many people either get too busy or too "important" to thank those who helped them. If it's helpful for your executive to know who's helped you achieve the impossible, make sure you say their name in the room. Your executive should acknowledge them too.

The best tip of all? Just get started. There's no time like the present. If you can one thing today, add me to your network. That's not hard at all. You can help me grow my network at the same time! Connect with me on LinkedIn here.