
African women have always been great at pulling together to make things work more efficiently for them. Whether it was taking turns watching each others children on market day, pooling resources to help a grief stricken friend or forming a traditional investment club popularly known chama. In today’s world a lot of these communities are still relevant and most women will attest to having an inner circle of women they consult and commune with regularly. As the creative and business world change, so have ways to network with individuals in one’s chosen field. What was once a business card is now a LinkedIn invite with a follow up message. According to Top Resume, “networking is establishing, building and nurturing relationships that will remain beneficial in the long term”. For African women in whatever career, networking provides opportunities that can help nurture growth and confidence in their chosen field. Here are four reasons to network…
Building Community
As women especially in certain professional settings, it can become quite clear early on that the system is rigged and not in your favour. this usually creates the ‘only one woman’ syndrome. This is where a company or individuals within that company believe that there is space for only one woman when it comes to leadership boards. Networking and building a community with women in the same or related fields is always smart move. It provides a sense of support that may be sorely lacking in ones workplace or career.
Exchange of ideas
In her TED Talk Clinical psychologist Meg Jay asked 20-somethings to make friends outside their immediate circle. There is something quite comforting about friends you have known since college or high school, however, they may not be in the same field as you. Most of the time, she said, opportunities come from people outside your circle. You will not only get to exchange new ideas and learn from each other, you will also acquire a new way to look at things. Women in professional networks are more likely to point out something without the fear of hurting your feelings that long term friend might have.
Confidence building
Networking forces you to put yourself out there. To talk to new people and actually have a conversation. These are skills that will serve you well in whatever professional or social setting you find yourself. There are many women who prefer to put their heads down and do the work, which works great in high school and college. However, in the real world interactions cannot be avoided and networking with women in your chosen field is a great way to start building those skills.
Looking for a networking event, come through to the Swaiba Hangout by @swaibapodcast this Thursday (June 30th) from 6pm to 9pm at the Baraza Media Lab, (@barazamedialab), Riverside Drive.
Next week we will explore tips on finding networking opportunities, have a lovely week Afrinados!
Accountability
According to this study by the Kellogg School of Business, women network differently than men but women who try to do it like a guy sometimes fail. We can’t win aye? But what the study found is that those with a close group of women in their professional network were actually more successful. As the saying goes, “iron sharpens iron”, being part of a group of like-minded sistas in your industry will push you to do better. They will hold you accountable and encourage you when things get rough.