The Power of Building a Network: The Seventh Trait of Top Performers

24 September 2024
Bangalore

Success can be defined a thousand different ways, but driving so much of the best performance in any field is one common denominator: a stalwart commitment to building and investing in their network. In a world where everything is increasingly linked—where opportunity frequently emanates from who you know—having meaningful relationships isn’t just a nicety; it’s a strategic advantage in taking those first steps that ensure continued success. The opportunity to engage with others, to lead in those relationships, and to provide value to them is the springboard to further success. Why investment in one’s network is a key trait, and how you can cultivate it, is outlined next.

1. Plan to spend some time connecting with people. We do live in a world where time is small for anyone. Still, the best performers manage to realize that relationship building mustn’t be an accident or a coincidence. Instead, they actually make time to get in touch with people: casual coffee timeless, going to events, and having deep conversations—these professionals take networking as seriously as can be and never compromise on it.

Take, for instance, Ratan Tata, the Indian business magnate. He was marked by his humbleness and visionary leadership, and the relationships nurtured by Tata have indeed strengthened his success and enhanced India’s standing in the world. In the process of his career, Tata developed an avid interest in people and ideas. Through constant interaction with young entrepreneurs, incumbent CEOs, and even grassroots innovators, he could foster relationships that promoted collaboration and innovation. Tata himself has said, “I don’t believe in taking right decisions. I take decisions and then make them right.” Undoubtedly, his connecting with the right people has helped in making those decisions successful over time.

Now imagine the international front with one classic story of how Bill Gates built a network of trusted advisors and innovators: Gates always knew how to interact with a few bright minds in building his understanding around technology and philanthropy. He is marked setting aside time for what he called “Think Weeks,” in which he didn’t only focus on reflecting over his projects but also gave ample time interacting with experts to learn about their experiences and gauge new ideas. Being actively engaged with others is what allowed Gates to move from being a technology mogul to a global philanthropist, touching the lives of millions. It’s this apparent willingness of Gates to block time for these connections that massively expanded his impact, internally at Microsoft and beyond.

2. Be Proactive and Make Contact. Maybe one of the most important things in networking is to take the initiative to actually reach out. Whether you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert, the best performers all know that waiting for others to reach out is a passive strategy. Reaching out opens the door to opportunities, learning, and collaboration. Consider the story of Sudha Murty, chairperson of Infosys Foundation, who early in her career wrote to J.R.D. Tata pointing out the gender biasedness she had come across in the hiring process at his firm. No less than this bold step earned her a job that became the starting point of her bright journey not only at Tata Motors but later at Infosys. Murty’s story also underlines how something as simple as an initiative taken can turn out to be a real game-changer in life.

On a broader scale, the rise of Sheryl Sandberg at Facebook is another brilliant example of it. An alumnus of Harvard, when an opportunity presented itself, Sandberg reached out to Mark Zuckerberg with an opportunity to meet instead of waiting for opportunities to come her way. That connection led to her becoming the COO of Facebook, where she was absolutely instrumental in formulating business model initiation and growth archetypes for the organization. Sandberg’s boldness to initiate connections propelled her career to new heights.

3. Be a Person Interested in Others, a Valuable Company. A foundation for building good relationships seems to start with genuine interest and intent towards adding value to another. Generally speaking, people can just about tell when you are connecting with them simply so you can have something to satisfy your self-interest. Instead, a sophisticated networker knows what the other person’s needs, interests, and challenges are and then looks to contribute to their success.

A great example of this is Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s “Missile Man” and former President. Typical of his humility and curiosity, Kalam would engage with students, scientists, and professionals as much as they would with him. His interaction always revolved around how he could inspire and support the next generation. The result: Kalam developed not just a network, but a legacy of deep, meaningful relationships anchored in mutual respect and learning. His curiosity to know and let others rise is the factor that glued him to the heart of millions of Indians, especially to the tender minds.

Take, for instance, the case of Oprah Winfrey, a major on-scene personality in the international media. Success in Oprah’s life has been the result of an abiding interest in the story of other people and a preparedness to add value through empathy and encouragement. She asks and listens through her interviews or personal interactions, then further ascertains how she will be of help. It is her curiosity that has enabled her to establish good relationships with the ordinary man on the street to the leadership across the world and thus laid the base for a strong network.

The Virtuous Circle of Networking. Investing in your network is not just about opening doors; it’s creating a virtuous circle. By blocking time to connect, taking the initiative to reach out, and being genuinely curious while adding value to others, you set in motion a chain reaction of positive relationships. Each connection strengthens your credibility, expands your influence, and brings opportunities your way. Perhaps most importantly, however, there are the many ways in which these connections enable one to learn, grow, and give back, enriching oneself and others in a well-consuming circle.

As the saying goes in Indian proverb, “A tree is known by its fruits.” Now, in regard to networking, the relationships one grows and cherished and the value delivered to others become the fruits that define one’s success. As Maya Angelou is internationally quoted, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” The foundation of the strongest networks will be trusted and respected by one, and the ability to make feel valuable. Reciprocally, in making conscious investments in your network, you are opening up the gateway to not just professional success but also a deeper fulfillment that comes from connecting meaningfully with others. Relationships, as wisdom in the East and West suggests, are true wealth that lasts a lifetime.

Learn more about how to become a Top Performer at: ORL Leadership Summit 2024.

Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh). 
MBA (BITS, Pilani), MHA, 
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru). 

Senior Professor and former Head, 
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery. 
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India. 

My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius.  I want to be a person with a bundle of experience. 

My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!

My Values:  Creating value for others.