Beyond the Bubble: Building a Supportive Network for Career Growth
If you’ve ever wondered,
How do you find the right people,
To help you in your career?
Well, today, I’m discussing the secrets to building a support system.
One that will transform your professional life
Hello and a very warm welcome to Episode No 76 of ‘Your Bravo Career’
My name is Mark Crossfield, I’m a Professional Career Coach / helping you to love your job and build a great career.
This podcast is about why your career matters
How you can enjoy what you are doing day each day at work
and how to build a great career along the way.
Introduction
Welcome everybody to Episode No 76
Today, I want to talk about how to find the right people to help to support your career growth.
So, this is a topic that can significantly impact your career: finding the right people to help you along the way, in your career, is vital.
And I was talking about this with Natasha Stanley in my Association for Coaching Podcast series. Which, by the way, I talked about in episode 72 of this podcast.
Natasha reminded me that we often have fixed beliefs about who we are and what we are capable of, and this holds us back from making changes in our career.
To overcome these limitations and remembering that you can’t be what you can’t see, Natasha explained that it’s important to make your bubble bigger, try new things, talk to different people and step into unknown spaces.
So, that was the inspiration for today’s podcast.
Because the truth is, no one achieves success alone.
Seeking help and guidance from others can provide valuable perspectives, open doors to new opportunities, and help you overcome challenges in your career.
So, I’ve got some important content for you today, to help you break out of your bubble and find the support you need in your career.
So, let's get started!
There are two main areas I’m going to focus on, for when you are looking for support.
That is, support from those within your own organisation or company and support from those outside where you work.
Ok,
Let’s get started with …
Getting Help from Those Within Your Organisation
When it comes to finding the right people within your organisation, there are again two categories to consider:
Those who you know already, and those you don’t. This distinction is particularly relevant if you work for a big company, right.
The known individuals include existing mentors you might have, supervisors, colleagues, HR professionals, and your manager, of course.
Your manager in particular plays a vital role in your career development. They can guide staying on track in your career and identify growth opportunities within the organisation.
They also have insights into the internal dynamics and can offer specific advice tailored to your role and aspirations.
For example, let's say you're interested in transitioning to a different department or taking on more challenging projects. Your manager will often be well-placed to help you with this.
They can provide valuable insights on the skills and experiences necessary for such moves.
They can help you set goals, identify developmental opportunities, and even advocate for you when appropriate.
Building a strong relationship with your manager is a smart move.
By the way, I covered how to have a productive relationship with your manager in Episode 60 of the podcast. That episode is worth checking out.
Another key figure within your organisation is your mentor. A mentor is someone more experienced in your field or within the company who can offer guidance, share their knowledge, and provide valuable career advice.
They can help you navigate complex situations, offer insights on career paths, and share their own experiences to help you make informed decisions.
Having a mentor can be particularly beneficial when facing challenging career transitions or seeking to expand your skills.
For example, imagine you're considering a shift to a leadership position. If your mentor has made a similar transition, they’re well placed to guide you through the necessary steps.
Their support can boost your confidence and increase your chances of a successful career transition.
So, the good news is that all these individuals are known to you and in most cases, you just need to ask for support. I will say more about how to do this later.
Now, let's shift our focus to those individuals within your organisation whom you may not know personally but can still provide valuable support.
These individuals can be specialists in a certain area, team leaders, or even members of the leadership team.
These individuals will have unique perspectives and insights that can broaden your understanding of the company and industry.
For example, suppose you're working on a project that involves a specific technology or requires in-depth knowledge of a certain area.
Seeking guidance from a specialist can provide you with expert advice and help you navigate potential challenges.
They can share best practices tips and provide a fresh outlook on your work.
Finding these individuals may require some effort on your part.
So, consider reaching out to your colleagues or mentors and ask for introductions to people they think could be helpful to your career growth.
Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and initiate a conversation.
Building relationships and seeking guidance from those around you can provide fresh insights and open doors to new opportunities.
Ok, so that covers those within your company or organisation.
Getting Help from Those Outside Your Organisation
So, let’s now turn our attention to those individuals outside your immediate professional circle.
These external connections, or would-be connections can broaden your horizons, expose you to different industries, and provide diverse insights.
Let's first look at individuals you may already know outside your organisation who can offer valuable support.
These may include industry experts, professionals in your network, and individuals you've already connected with through professional associations.
Using these existing relationships can be a great starting point.
You’ve gone to the trouble of connecting with these individuals, or you already have a historical connection, so why not use that connection to help you in your career?
They can help you in your current role or to look at opportunities in a new role, company or industry.
Ok, so that covers those outside your company or organisation you already know.
But what about connecting with new people outside your company to help you in your career?
I remember in my career when I reached out for a mentor. I was looking for some career support at the time but wanted an external perspective.
I reached out to the Chartered Management Institute and the Institution of Civil Engineers for a mentor and ended up working with a brilliant mentor @Mark Hammersley who I ended being mentored for, for over a decade.
I still see it as one of the smartest moves I made.
I went via a couple of professional organisations but online platforms like LinkedIn also provide an excellent opportunity to connect with professionals across various industries.
When you seek support from somebody you don’t know, it’s always important to be clear about what you need support with. The more specific you can be, the better.
Also, do your own research first. This always makes it easier to start the conversation because you can talk about what steps you have already taken.
So you can approach people via your existing network, via email if you are able to find this online, or of course by social media.
With social media, by actively engaging with their content and initiating your own conversations, you can establish connections with individuals who can help you in your career.
Through these interactions, you can gain valuable advice, learn about different career paths, and discover potential mentorship opportunities like mine.
However, make sure you do approach these interactions with a genuine interest in learning from others and a willingness to contribute to the conversation.
Also, you might need to be patient and a little bit persistent. But that’s ok as well.
By the way I interviewed Mr LinkedIn in episode 13 and we talked all about the LinkedIn platform so you are probably going to want to listen to that if you need support using LinkedIn.
While we are talking about others who can help you in your career, don't underestimate the benefits of seeking guidance from career professionals, such as career coaches.
I’ve used career coaches numerous times in my own career.
For instance, suppose you're contemplating a career transition into a new industry. A career coach can guide you through the process, offering insights on transferable skills, industry-specific requirements, and potential challenges you may face.
The expertise and support of a career coach can be instrumental in successfully navigating unfamiliar territory and accelerating your career progression.
So, going meta again here …
Remember to embrace the opportunity to connect with professionals in industries that intrigue you and those who have achieved the career milestones you aspire to reach.
As mentioned earlier, this is about expanding your bubble …
What to Say When Asking for Help
Now that we understand the importance of seeking help and where to find it, let's look at the art of effectively asking for assistance.
It’s important we get these messages right.
When asking for support, being genuine, clear, and appreciative of the other person's expertise is crucial.
Here are a few examples of how you can effectively reach out to someone for help:
Seeking guidance from your manager:
Hi Naomi, I wanted to discuss my career aspirations with you and seek your guidance.
I'm interested in exploring opportunities to transition into a new role within our organisation.
Given your valuable insights and experience, I would greatly appreciate a conversation to gain your perspectives on the best way to do this.
I appreciate any support you can provide.
Requesting support from a mentor:
Hi James,
I'm reaching out because I could really use some career support, and I think your guidance and mentorship would be extremely helpful.
As I navigate my career path and consider different opportunities for growth, I would greatly appreciate it if you could spare some time to support me in my career.
Your mentorship would mean a lot to me.
Thank you for considering my request, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Connecting with someone in a company you admire:
Hi Sam,
I recently came across your profile on LinkedIn and as someone aspiring to make a difference in a similar field, I would love to connect and learn from your experiences.
I believe your insights and perspectives could provide valuable guidance as I navigate my own career path.
Would you be open to a conversation or virtual coffee chat?"
Remember, it's important to customise your message to reflect your genuine interest in the person's expertise and align it with your specific needs or challenges.
Clearly state the purpose of your request and express your appreciation for their time and knowledge.
When reaching out for help, keep in mind that not everyone may be available or able to respond immediately.
Patience is important; if you get rejected, don’t make it a thing. Just seek out somebody else that can help you.
Remember, You Can Help Others as Well
Also, remember that networking is a two-way street.
Just as you receive assistance, be open to providing help and support to those seeking it.
I get asked regularly by people interested in getting started in coaching for help and I’m always willing to help and share my experience and knowledge.
Remember,
Sharing your knowledge, experiences, and insights can contribute to someone else's success and help you grow as a professional.
Summary
So, let's recap what we've covered today.
I discussed the significance of seeking support from others in your career and how to find the right people to help you along the way. We explored both internal and external avenues for assistance.
I highlighted the importance of engaging with known individuals such as mentors, supervisors, colleagues, and your manager within your organisation.
Your manager plays a crucial role in your career development by providing guidance and identifying growth opportunities within the organisation.
A mentor is another option. Sometimes it can be beneficial to get some support from somebody who is not your manager.
Outside your organisation, I encouraged you to connect with professionals in your network who can support you in your career.
Engaging with professionals across various industries on platforms like LinkedIn allows you to establish connections, gain insights, and discover potential collaborations.
When asking for help, I emphasised the importance of customising your message and expressing genuine interest in the person's expertise.
I provided examples of tailored messages to illustrate effective communication strategies.
In conclusion, seeking support from others is crucial for your career growth.
By engaging with the right people both within and outside your organisation, you can gain valuable insights, expand your network, and ultimately achieve your professional goals.
Call to Action
So, as we wrap up today's episode, I encourage you to take action.
Reflect on your career goals and identify the types of individuals who can help you achieve them.
Start by reaching out to someone within your organisation or expanding your network by connecting with individuals outside your immediate circle.
Remember, finding the right people to support you is an ongoing process, so don't hesitate to continue seeking guidance as your career progresses.
End
Thank you for joining me today.
Remember, you don't have to navigate your career journey alone.
By seeking out the right people to help you,
you can gain invaluable insights, expand your network, and unlock new opportunities.
Not sure, and still need help, email at mark@bravocoaching.co.uk and we can have a conversation.
Show Ending
By the way, you can find today’s show notes at bravocoaching.co.uk/podcast.
If you are interested in working with me, you can book a free discovery call on my website.
Have a wonderful week and I will speak to you again in a couple of weeks time.
Bye for now.