Network

Today's Guest Post is brought to you by the authors of our new release, She LEADs--Dr. Rachael George and Majalise Tolan! These two are a wealth of talent and knowledge and you're in for a real treat!

Guest Post by Dr. Rachael George & Majalise Tolan

She Leads: Networking

There are multiple ways to learn about new jobs, such as looking at job postings or growing professionally through reading books, but the power of networking can check all the boxes when it comes to job searches, recruitment, career advancement, professional growth, and problem-solving. Having a group of women you can reach out to in your own district, state or using a virtual professional learning network (PLN) on platforms like Facebook or Twitter allows you to grow with like-minded women in a safe and inspiring way. For example, you never know when that leader you met in a Twitter chat may be able to connect you with someone to help your culinary teacher increase cultural diversity text in her classroom.

Find Your People

To reap the full benefits of networking, think beyond the average professional relationship. Aim to maintain relationships with people who lift you up, not tear you down. A friend of ours, Karen Ramirez, who is an elementary principal, told us about a networking event that doubles as an impromptu support group. There, she and other female elementary principals work together to plan and discuss how to make things work for their buildings. “This group has made the work lighter,” she says. “It’s more fun and doable since we don’t have any vice principals, and we are in silos within our buildings.” It is her belief that we are stronger together, that we make better decisions when we can collaborate with our colleagues and support one another.

Consider your professional network and those you spend the most time with. Are they lifting you up or holding you down? By telling you that you can’t balance coaching principals or presenting on topics you are passionate about while leading a building, your fellow principals may be cutting off your ambitions before you learn what you’re capable of. On the flip side, if your peer group encourages you to find ways to balance leadership with being a present parent, they’re supporting you in your career goals. Who you surround yourself with truly impacts your goals and aspirations. When networking, build relationships with people who will lift you up, challenge you, and encourage you and your wild and crazy dreams. You decide who you want to spend time with. If every person (or even just one person) around you is negative, it’s time for a change. That’s where networking comes in.

Who you surround yourself with truly impacts your goals and aspirations.

Networking Online

Networking may seem like a great strategy for professional growth and external support, but for a more introverted woman, it may seem over- whelming to walk up to others during a social networking event held at a conference. In fact, we know that chatting up a vendor for a free drink ticket at the conference reception is not for everyone. It also may not be possible to get to conferences or take extended time when there on-site to meet and greet others face-to-face. For women in this position, connecting on social media platforms provides a more flexible opportunity to network with leaders across the country.

In today’s world of high-speed internet, women are able to connect with leaders like never before. Seek out social media connections to meet women educational leaders from all over the country. Twitter chats like #LeadLAP, led by Beth Houf and Shelley Burgess, authors of Lead Like a Pirate, and #GritCrewEdu, led by Traci Browder and Dawn Harris, connect leaders across the country for forty-five- minute Twitter chats where users follow the hashtags #LeadLAP or #GritCrewEdu and join other leaders to answer five or six questions posed to the group. This virtual “chat” allows for leaders to connect and problem-solve with other leaders on current issues in instruction, diversity and inclusion, building culture, and educational leadership. Facebook groups like Leading While Female also allow for group users to pose questions and are another way for women to find one another, join in on book studies, and to grow professionally without leaving their home or school.

Make the Most of Your Contacts

Networking doesn’t end with relationship building. When it comes time to move into your next position, shift from building and fostering relationships to leveraging them—that is, using them to support your career goals. Leveraging relationships is a must in order to conquer new heights of educational leadership.

How does this help you advance your career? Think about it this way: People often trust the judgment of those they like and have a relationship with. If your supervisor adores you and has a great working relationship with the person who’s interviewing you for a new job, mention the connection in the interview (but ask your supervisor for permission first). Or if a friend has an established relationship with someone you’d like to meet, ask if they would be willing to connect the two of you. You would be surprised at how often the response is yes.

You might also think about connecting people who have similar interests and passions within education. This is big. If you help connect people, other people will help connect you. So if one of your contacts is looking to fill a position and another is job hunting and perfect for the role, introduce them. If a colleague would be a great keynote speaker for an upcoming conference that one of your connections organizes, send an introductory email.

As you assist your network, consider who you’re helping. It is vital to have a diverse group of professional connections so your support doesn’t add to in-group favoritism. This is one of the main contributing factors to the relevant disadvantages of Black Americans and other underrepresented groups, according to the book Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald.

CHART YOUR PATH: Reflect

Who are the people in your in-building, in-district, in-state, and online networks? They may not be in education - and that is okay. Cross professional learning can be huge for growth.

How can you utilize the power of the internet to connect with leaders who may have different perspectives or experiences in education and leadership than you see on a day-to-day basis?