TBD 024: Grow Your Own Group
Step One: Make Your Very Own Network
Last week we talked about the importance of spending regular time connecting with your network so that you HAVE a network when you need one. This week, I wanted to share my thoughts about connecting with new people in an area of interest you want to develop.
Let’s keep it incredibly simple. As we go into 2022, there may be an area of interest - professional or personal - that you’d like to develop. Doing so alone is always an option and a well-worn one in my experience.
But pursuing a goal with support of a group can be inspiring, produce more benefits and help you move forward more quickly by leveraging the experience, connections and solutions shared with your group. In fact, these days when I need to tackle anything, I look for a group. More brains, more support, more velocity and more fun. So, how to start?
Pin down your interest: what it is you specifically want to explore or achieve? It could be moving into management. giving presentations at conferences, open water swimming, raising chickens. But make it specific enough to attract folks with a similar interest.
Start to share your interest with EVERYONE: start letting folks know you’re interested in presenting at a conference, open water swimming, raising chickens. “2022 is the year I’m giving a presentation at an industry conference. Problem is, I’m not sure where! Let me know if you have any conferences I should check out. Have you gone to any you think would be a good fit?” I promise you, as you share this question, people will come up with suggestions, connections or ideas.
Establish a small group interested in the same thing: “I’m speaking at a conference next year and I’m looking for others interested in doing conference talks. Are you up for doing that next year? Or do you know anyone?” Pretty quickly, you’ll have 2 - 3 names and a small group.
Exchange questions / Share knowledge: Meet with your small group or figure out how to connect via Slack, etc. Make a commitment to share questions (and answers or resources). If possible, set up times to meet and do deep dives into what you each want to accomplish. Divide your meetings into equal time so everyone can share, or establish a “hot seat” that let’s one member have the floor for the full meeting time to workshop their goal.
Stay the course: Chances are, you’ll feel more accountable, more supported, and move through periods when you aren’t so inspired with the help of a group of likeminded people.
Widen the circle: Your initial group may (or may not) be the crew that continues throughout the journey. That’s okay. As people fall out of the group, you can ask everyone to look for another few members. TIP: Sometimes its great to include a natural networker if that’s not your thing.
Get what you need: it's wonderful to share generously with your group, but also remember to ask for and take what you need. You may have started the meetings or Slack thread but others should be willing to support you, show up and take a turn in managing administrative logistics unless otherwise noted.
A few stories of possibilities:
A weekly hike/run to hash out new ideas with a likeminded friend. A colleague of mine has had a bi-weekly hiking buddy going on for 15 years
A monthly professional dinner club with people in your industry in similar roles. Keep it simple and go to the same place or make it fun by trying new spots. A friend of mine started this way and runs a global professional organization with almost 2,000 members.
Open Slack thread or email group with specific purpose
Topical text group - I have an ongoing text group with a few folks where we just share ideas and successes about running your own practice. Super specific but very helpful.
Paid mastermind or coaching groups - you can always find a paid facilitator
MeetUp groups - tons of topic specific MeetUps you can participate in or look for likeminded members. Many more events now online.
Make it happen:
It’s actually pretty easy to grab 2 friends or peers and agree to meet to chat about professionals/or niche interests. Ask each of those friends to bring along a new member so you don't need to find everyone for the group. Let the group grow and shrink at first until you have a solid set of regulars.
Start with your specific interest or goal - photography, speaking, negotiations
Invite a few friends - and ask them to bring an interested friend to two
Stick with it for a named period of time (3 months, or 6 meetings, for example)
Rotate who manages organizing and if you find something that works, repeat it.
Set up a way to stay connected in between meetings and simple rules on how to use those channels
Each meeting, have people bring goals, ask questions, or share victories and discoveries.
Make it easier for yourself and find folks that are naturally networkers.