How diverse is your network?

a) In my experience, diversity in networking enriches perspectives and ideas, promoting innovation. Different backgrounds and experiences bring creative solutions to complex problems. b) In my career, working with people from different cultures and sectors has helped me identify opportunities that I wouldn't have considered on my own, increasing the effectiveness of projects. c) Diversity also broadens the reach and influence of the network, making it easier to enter new markets and understand different target audiences.

Diversity is a beautiful thing. It broadens your perspective and enriches your understanding of the world around us. I'm proud to say that my team at Lush Decor represents 7 different countries and speaks 11 languages. Diverse networks challenge our thinking, expose us to new ideas, and foster innovation by bringing together a wide range of experiences and backgrounds. In my journey with Lush Decor, embracing diversity has not only enhanced our creativity but also our ability to connect with a global market.

A diverse network isn’t just made up of people from different backgrounds and industries; it’s made up of those who play distinct roles in your success. In my book, Its Who You Know, I discuss 4 groups of people to ensure diversity. These are: Promoters: These are the cheerleaders in your life, they push you to dream bigger and connect you to opportunities. Pit Crew: This is your support system - the people who keep you grounded and help you recharge when things get tough. Teachers: You need people who constantly challenge your thinking and push you to learn. Butt-Kickers: Accountability is the name of the game. Who’s keeping you on track, making sure you take action and follow through?

Too often people limit their network - and with it themselves, their opportunities and their thinking. Being with like-minded people is comfortable and easy. It really doesn't challenge us. Growth happens when we encounter new ideas, new perspectives. Great things don't happen by sticking with what is familiar.

A lack of diversity in one’s network can limit personal and professional development by reinforcing existing biases and narrowing your worldview. It can lead to being in one’s own echo chamber, where ideas and beliefs are amplified without challenge, stifling growth and innovation. Having diversity in your network exposes you to varied perspectives and experiences, fostering creativity, innovation, and growth. It prevents the echo chamber effect of homogenous networks, where ideas and beliefs go unchallenged. This diversity opens up new opportunities, enhances problem-solving skills, and promotes empathy and understanding in a multicultural world.

Your network doesn't have to be diverse if you are looking to be known in a particular niche. In that case, focus on those with the rare skills and understanding that complement you.

Meiner Meinung nach sollte man sich auch mit Fachfremden Personen austauschen. So bildet man neue Kompetenzen, entdeckt versteckte Potenziale und lernt Dinge, an die man nie gedacht hätte. Ich finde es inspirierend Bereiche des Alltags einmal aus einer anderen Perspektive zu betrachten. Das ist sehr hilfreich.

To keep track of different perspectives, I really pay attention to keep networking with different groups - from juniors, university students, to top level execs, to founders. This is the only way to stay in touch with the market and be able to access the latest trends.

Assessing the diversity of your network starts with an honest look at who you're interacting with professionally and personally. Consider things like industry, cultural background, age, and gender. Are you mostly engaging with people who think and look like you? LinkedIn's network analysis feature can help with that, or simply review your contacts to identify gaps. This practice reveals how broad your network is and where it might need to be broadened more.

I highly endorse using tools like the Diversity Wheel to assess and enhance your network diversity. The Diversity Wheel provides a structured approach to evaluating the various dimensions of diversity within your network, from personal traits to organizational affiliations. By mapping out your contacts, you can identify areas where your network may lack diversity and take targeted actions to broaden your connections. This self-assessment not only helps in creating a more inclusive network but also ensures you gain a richer, more varied perspective, which can significantly enhance your professional growth and opportunities.

Actually, LI has quite a few nice tracking feature to do just that, outside the platform I like to organize my main contacts in a personal CRM to keep them organized and stay engaged with them, set reminders and more.

Starting simple is better than not starting at all. I recommend starting with a simple Excel spreadsheet to collect personal and situation-related data in just a few columns. This allows you to quickly see which skills, approaches and personalities are already present in the network. In the next step, I recommend drawing a target picture of the network (target state) and comparing what is already in the network and where there are still gaps. I also always work with redundancies to ensure that my network is not weakened by a change or departure.

Taking into account your connections' racial, gender, age, occupation, and cultural background is one approach to measure diversity. People in a diversified network come from different backgrounds, places, and social circles, which promotes a rich flow of opportunities and ideas. Inclusion of individuals with different perspectives and backgrounds is another factor that fosters creativity and problem-solving. A more varied and inclusive professional ecosystem can be ensured by actively pursuing contacts from underrepresented groups and assessing your network on a regular basis. In the end, a varied network fosters imagination, comprehension, and flexibility in managing the complicated world of today.

Utilizing the Diversity Wheel is a strategic and insightful method for assessing and enhancing the diversity of your network. By mapping out your contacts across the four concentric circles—personality, internal, external, and organizational—you gain a comprehensive understanding of the varied dimensions of diversity within your network. This visualization helps identify gaps and areas for improvement, enabling you to proactively seek out connections that broaden your perspectives and enrich your professional ecosystem. Incorporating diverse personal traits, demographic characteristics, life experiences, and professional affiliations not only strengthens your network but also equips you with a more robust and inclusive foundation for growth

I find the Diversity Wheel to be a valuable tool for assessing and enhancing network diversity. By visualizing various dimensions of diversity—personality, internal, external, and organizational—you can gain a comprehensive understanding of your current network composition. This mapping helps identify areas where your network may lack diversity and highlights opportunities to broaden your connections. Utilizing the Diversity Wheel ensures a more balanced and inclusive approach to networking, which can lead to richer insights, increased creativity, and greater access to diverse opportunities and perspectives in your professional journey.

How to Assess Your Network Diversity Ready to jazz up your network’s diversity? First, you need to see the bigger picture. Try using the Diversity Wheel—a nifty tool that helps you visualize the variety in your connections. Imagine four concentric circles representing personality, internal, external, and organizational diversity. Plot your contacts on this vibrant wheel to uncover how they vary in personal traits, demographics, life experiences, and professional backgrounds. This colorful exercise isn’t just enlightening; it’s like a fun treasure hunt revealing hidden gaps and unexpected overlaps, setting the stage for a more dynamic and diverse network.

I recommend using tools like the Diversity Wheel to assess and improve your network diversity. The Diversity Wheel’s four concentric circles—personality, internal, external, and organizational—provide a comprehensive framework for visualizing the various dimensions of diversity within your network. By mapping out your current contacts, you can identify gaps and overlaps in personal traits, demographic characteristics, life experiences, and professional affiliations. This insightful exercise not only highlights areas for improvement but also guides you in building a more diverse, inclusive, and enriched network that can offer broader perspectives and opportunities.

Expanding your network takes intentionality and effort. The best way to start is by attending events that cater to a variety of demographics and professional backgrounds. While you're there, make a conscious effort to connect with individuals who bring different perspectives to your industry. You could also use LinkedIn to join groups or follow thought leaders from diverse backgrounds to help bridge the gap. But don't connect with them just for the sake of it. Connect with them because you believe it will it will benefit you, them, and your industry.

It is easiest to network with people who we perceive to be 'like us'. Whilst we do need to focus on our goals and who we need to be networking with, it is important to have conversations with those we perceive as different to us. It's the way we learn, grow as people and create new opportunities. This is particularly important to do internally. We can find something in common with almost anyone when we are curious and open.

Para llegar a contactos diversos, por ejemplo de otras ciudades y sectores, resulta interesante seguir páginas web de entidades qué organizan eventos y encuentros presenciales y virtuales dónde poder entrar en contacto con ell@s

Expanding your network with diverse contacts requires proactive and intentional efforts. Start by broadening your social circles beyond familiar spaces, attending events, and joining communities focused on diversity and inclusion. Actively seek out individuals with backgrounds different from your own and engage in genuine conversations to build rapport. Utilize online platforms to connect with professionals from diverse industries and regions. Embrace opportunities for mentorship and sponsorship relationships with individuals who can offer unique perspectives. Be open-minded, curious, and respectful, recognizing the value of diverse viewpoints in enriching your personal and professional growth.

Growing a diverse network may feel drastic and uncomfortable. To expand your network in diverse settings, here are a few ideas: 1. Center of Influence - seek out someone in diverse networks who is a COI who knows everyone. Engage with that person and seek to give to them. 2. Find new places to network - Ask your contacts where else they network. Ask them to take you with them and introduce their connections to you. 3. Embrace your difference - I am often the only African American and/or woman in many rooms. This is my opportunity to stand out and show up in a way that I'm attractive to the people in the room. These strategies can help you to grow your network with people who are different than you. Embrace the difference and show up!

Expanding your network with diverse contacts is a proactive and strategic endeavor that significantly enriches your professional life. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Clubhouse are invaluable tools for connecting with individuals from varied backgrounds and experiences. When engaging with these diverse contacts, it's essential to approach with openness, respect, and a genuine interest in their perspectives. Active listening and asking open-ended questions foster understanding and connection. Demonstrating support, reciprocity, and appreciation for their contributions builds trust and rapport. By giving as much as you take, you cultivate meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships that enhance your professional network.

I advocate for a proactive and respectful approach to expanding your network's diversity. Actively seeking out diverse contacts on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Clubhouse allows you to enrich your network with varied perspectives and experiences. Engaging with these contacts with an open mind and avoiding stereotypes fosters genuine connections. By asking thoughtful questions, listening actively, and showing support, you build trust and demonstrate your commitment to meaningful relationships. Reciprocity—offering help and acknowledging their contributions—strengthens these connections and enhances your network's overall value and diversity.

Having diversity allows you to be a connecter - you never know how you can facilitate in transforming someone's journey solely through connecting them with another contact in your network. Having been on both ends of this, the connector and the person being connected, I've witnessed life-changing events follow through this process: relocating across the country for a new job without prior industry experience, long term aligned friendships, massive career opportunities, and more. All it takes is one connection.

I first assessed my network's diversity, I realized it was far more limited than I thought. That was a wake-up call. I knew I had to take intentional steps to expand it. I began using LinkedIn to follow people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, making sure to approach them with genuine curiosity rather than judgment. Conversations shifted when I focused on asking open-ended questions, listening actively, and offering help where I could. In time, the support became mutual, and the connections felt meaningful. Building trust wasn’t immediate, but showing up consistently made all the difference.

Diversity in attended events leads to diversity of network. I would highly recommend to network cross-industry and use my network as a gathering place for those contacts.

How to Maintain and Leverage Your Diverse Network Expanding your network with a splash of diversity is just the first step—now it’s time to keep it buzzing and beneficial. Stay genuine and grateful, and always be upfront about your intentions. Mix things up by exploring new fields and connecting with folks from different roles and backgrounds. Embrace collaboration: dive into projects together, invite your contacts to events, and play matchmaker by introducing them to others who can benefit. Networking should be a dynamic dance, enhancing your growth while maximizing the potential of your diverse connections. Spice up your network, start a club, a community is my advice, a platform for networking.

Pour maintenir une diversification, vous pouvez déterminer un rythme de réunion "hors de votre zone de génie". Ce sont des sujets qui vous intéressent, mais dans lesquels vous n'êtes pas expert. En y allant tous les 3 mois par exemple, vous vous assurez de rencontrer de nouvelles personnes tout en apprenant une nouvelle compétence.

I have developed a system that defines touch points and combines them with corresponding actions. The simplest touch point is a contact's birthday, which in turn results in a personal congratulation from me. I try to define meaningful and varied touch points for each contact, e.g. certain events, joint projects or personal events. I also differentiate between strong and weak ties. These have different requirements when it comes to maintaining a network. It is important for me that the person always knows that I am there and that I am available as a reliable contact.

Meeting your new connections is not enough. Like any relationship, you should: ➡️Follow up ➡️Provide value to them ➡️Discuss shared interests that could align in a project or partnership ➡️Be your authentic self Doing these will maintain a connection with them.

My network is a work in progress! I focus on diversity in a few key ways: Beyond the surface: I connect with people from various backgrounds, industries, and levels of expertise. This provides fresh perspectives. It's a two-way street: I nurture relationships by contributing the best I have to offer.

To maintain and leverage your diverse network effectively, prioritize authenticity, reciprocity, and ongoing engagement. Stay connected with your contacts through regular communication, whether it's checking in, sharing relevant resources, or offering support. Cultivate meaningful relationships by actively listening, demonstrating empathy, and being genuinely interested in their experiences and perspectives. Recognize and celebrate cultural differences and achievements within your network to foster a sense of belonging and appreciation. Leverage the strengths and insights of your diverse contacts by seeking their advice, collaborating on projects, and tapping into their networks when needed.

Linked In and other social media platforms make it easier than before to remain connected. Reach out to people through direct messaging. If you know them, perhaps a former colleague, check in to see how they're doing. If they start a new role, find out how its going. If someone posts content that resonates with you, reach out to connect and send a genuine note to say how useful you find their content. Look to connect and be helpful.

Offer value and build relationships: Focus on building genuine relationships with people. Offer value, share insights, and help others without expecting something in return. Stay Active and Consistent: Networking is an ongoing process, so stay active and consistent in your efforts to expand your global network. Set aside time regularly to engage with your contacts, follow up on connections, and nurture relationships Be Proactive and Take Initiative: Don't wait for opportunities to come to you—take the initiative to reach out, introduce yourself, and initiate conversations with people you admire or want to learn from. Be proactive in expanding your network and seizing opportunities for collaboration and growth.

...nicht nur anrufen, wenn man was braucht! Einfach mal so oder weil man was mitzuteilen / zu geben hat. An physischen Orten zusammenkommen. Bei uns sind das unsere Kreartivorte, wo regelmäßig Veranstaltungen stattfinden. Menschen aus verschiedenen Generationen und Fachrichtungen kommen zusammen und wunderbares passiert...

The best advice I have is to let go of pre-determined measurements of "successful networking" which would be gaining something for ourselves. The people I know who are incredible relationship builders with vast networks stay curious to connect with a broad range of people and are always looking for ways they can be of service.

Unnetworking thrives on diversity. Connecting with people from various backgrounds, industries, and experiences broadens your career perspective, exposes you to different work cultures, and increases your chances of finding a role that aligns with your values. It's not about who you know, but the range of perspectives you can access through genuine connections.

Always be busy, use every opportunity to expand your network. Over the course of 10 years, every contact is a contract. But as always, people first and business will follow.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable until it isn't. Walk into rooms where you are the "only" if you are not used to being the only one in a room, and listen. Look at the people you spend time with. Are they of the same race, gender, sexual identity, religion, political views, socioeconomic status, etc.? You'll be amazed by the conversations you can have when you allow yourself and others grace to gain perspective. It can bring new innovations and ideas.

Many in today's workforce are seeking organisations where inclusion is rooted in their daily experiences. They want to see their leaders and peers demonstrate inclusion in their behaviours. Organisations can showcase that inclusive behaviours are a vital component of leadership — that being a leader, by definition, means being an inclusive leader. Fostering inclusion often starts with the tone at the top and it's time to focus on leadership efforts on the development of compassionate and inclusive cultures that truly value the diverse workforce of today. To promote and embed diverse and inclusive cultures, efforts must focus on transforming our organisations to fit all people.

Quand on découvre un nouveau réseau, on en découvre également les codes. Certains peuvent être plus fermés, mon bienveillant ou très hiérarchiques. L'important est de s'ouvrir aux autres, mais toujours dans un environnement où vous vous sentez en sécurité.

Diversity is, sometimes, a result of ability merged with opportunity. How diverse your network depends on what opportunities are there for you to meet with people of different fields and classes, and your ability to keep interaction with those new faces. Many a times opportunities come but differences in character and demeanor keep our network contained.

Someone once told me; networking is not about who you get to connect and know but more about who you can help and present to others. Validation in networking comes from presenting and connecting other people. a good networker is the one who networks and builds communities.