[rank_math_breadcrumb]

Successful Women – Are You a Connector?

  • Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Author:  JJ DiGeronimo

Short Description

In a recent CIO article (Great IT Leaders Must Have This Trait)  talking about the traits of Successful Women in the technology world, it mentions the importance of being a connector. When you think about it, it doesn’t matter what your industry; being a connector has value in all walks of life. A friend of […]

In a recent CIO article (Great IT Leaders Must Have This Trait)  talking about the traits of Successful Women in the technology world, it mentions the importance of being a connector.

  1. When you think about it, it doesn’t matter what your industry; being a connector has value in all walks of life.
  2. A friend of mine has a teenage daughter in her final year of high school. She is interested in a job in technology but isn’t sure where to start. Her mother said:

“I have several contacts that have expressed an interested in helping you but you have to make the first move. Over the years, I have grown and nurtured my network and consequently know people that may be able to help you.”

Her daughter was interested but didn’t want a “hand out.”

“I’ve made the initial contact but now you have to build your own connection with these people and then prove yourself worthy of the job.”

Making connections is a lifelong exercise; one in which you never really know how it might help.

One marketing executive works hard on his LinkedIn account. He spends a little time each day sharing articles, sending emails, reaching out to his network and when he found himself unemployed a few years ago, it was his connection that led him to several opportunities which led to his next career move.

Being a great connector is important within your current role as well and hopefully, you work in a company that supports and encourages cross-department work.

Successful Women – Are You a Connector?

For some, reaching out to connect to people you don’t know may be outside your comfort zone. The CIO article offers some advice in that instance:

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
The first challenge that you will likely have when it comes to becoming a great connector is that your world is too small. Face it, IT professionals tend to only spend time with others in our industry. Perhaps on a social level, your reach is broader, but there’s a good chance that you rarely connect your two worlds. However, to create the Medici Effect, you need to bring together people of different disciplines, cultures and perspectives.

It means that you need to get out of your comfort zone and find people whose backgrounds are different than your own! Perhaps that involves going to a financial industry networking event. Or perhaps you can attend a gallery reception (you know, with art and stuff!). Or you can attend a local Chamber of Commerce event. Whatever it is, just make sure that you are purposefully putting yourself in a situation where you will meet people who look at the world differently than you do. 

Psych Central talks about how to make great connections at work and of their 6 tips, the first two apply whether you are seeking a job, looking for prospects or just want to expand your network:

      1. Attend an industry convention or networking meeting with a plan. Review the presenters ahead of time and map out who you’d like to meet.  Prepare a few sentences about their accomplishments or interests and why you want to meet them.
      2. Ask questions. It can be intimidating to approach others, but most people like to talk about themselves.  Asking questions can prompt a genuine discussion.

Would you consider yourself a connector? If not, what is holding you back? Opportunity? Shyness? How to?

Observe the people you work with; who do you already know that is a great connector? Consider taking them out to lunch and ask them how they do it. They will be able to offer you some great advice and may even have suggestions as to a few people you might meet.

As always, keep your LinkedIn profile update – whether you are looking for a job or not – it is a great place to meet and connect with business leaders around the country.

Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Twitter

Author Profile

The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.

Similar to Successful Women – Are You a Connector?

Lizette Volkwyn Human Lie Detector

I once met this old man, whilst traveling. I guess as a tourist, anything goes. Owning your presence … by Lizette Volkwyn   His coat was tacky, his hair in desperate need of grooming, and his age betrayed by his body…but something pulled me back, calling me to start a conversation with this stranger.   […]

  • Author: Lizette Volkwyn
WS Logo 512

Unfolding everywhere around us to Disrupt or die as Duncan Wardle was featured in an article and video on NBR a couple years back. I made a prediction then, and we’re already seeing evidence of that prediction Duncan Wardle likes the Walt Disney quote: “It’s kinda fun to do the impossible.” He knows more than […]

  • Author: Duncan Wardle
Sterling Hawkins

You can turn an unpredictable world into predictable results. It comes down to the practices we have in our businesses and with those around us. Even though we might not be able to predict the exact timing of a breakthrough, the practices create the conditions necessary to have a breakthrough, even making that breakthrough inevitable […]

  • Author: Sterling Hawkins
WS Logo 512

In today’s fast-paced, rapidly changing world, with such high expectations of #leaders, the challenges for leaders are high demanding and complex and HOW TO AVOID BURNOUT.   Know the most effective leaders are the ones that prioritize #selfcare. HOW TO AVOID BURNOUT – VIDEO It is only when you take care of your emotional well-being, […]

  • Author: Dr Michelle Rozen
What is the best

Guide to Making Decisions can be daunting (just choosing a type of peanut butter in the grocery store can be a mammoth task), yet if we are to move forward in life and business we need to make decisions, and we need to make good ones if we are to navigate this chaotic world properly. In […]

  • Author: Pierre du Plessis
WS Logo 512

Some say great leaders are born. We say great leaders are made, HOW TO BE A GREAT LEADER. There are many different types of leaders and leadership styles. While it’s important to find your own style, there are many qualities of leaders throughout history that have stood the test of time. While we will view […]

  • Author: Private Jet Services
Brittany Hodak

I’m coming to you from 30,000 feet, on my way to join my friend Jeff Glover for the LiveUnreal Retreat in Traverse City, Michigan. I can’t wait to see some familiar faces and meet more amazing real estate agents after my Customer lesson learned. You know when someone references how long ago something happened and you […]

  • Author: Brittany Hodak
Dane Jensen

Veteran business writer Theodore Kinney interviews Dane Jensen and shares his takeaways from The Power of leading under Pressure for strategy+business. Pressure is a goad. Whether it arrives in the guise of a burning platform or a project deadline, a strategic goal or a performance target, a high-stakes deal or an aggressive competitor, pressure can […]

  • Author: Dane Jensen

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME