It is a common belief that finding an exceptional mentor will open doors and set the correct path for career ascent. Unfortunately, The Mentor Myth: The Importance of Meaningful Networks
It is a common belief that finding an exceptional mentor will open doors and set the correct path for career ascent. Unfortunately, the idea that finding the perfect, influential mentor is a fairy tale. Many often go through their entire career without identifying a mentor. In college, many mentorships are temporary and most of the time do not last through graduation. Lacking someone to consult on business or career matters can lead to feelings of isolation and self-doubt, limit creativity and problem-solving abilities, and hinder career advancement.
Finding the perfect mentor is one way to gather the information and support for career advancement, but it is not the only way. That is fortunate for the majority of those who will not find someone to mentor them, give them professional advice, and sponsor them for highly sought-after jobs. To compensate for the lack of mentors, an informal developmental network of peers, co-workers, managers, friends, and family can be cultivated. The information can be superior because it is genuine, thoroughly tested, and provided with pure intentions—advice from an informal network of individuals who have faced similar struggles. This information stands out because it comes from a trusted network of individuals who have navigated similar challenges. It is genuine, tested through experience, and shared with sincere intentions.
Developmental networks comprise multiple sources of support and information, rather than relying on a single person’s input when making career decisions or finding creative solutions to problems. Developmental networks encompass multiple relationships and include family, friends, co-workers, managers, supervisors, and acquaintances within the community. Networking is key to a developmental network because it is important to cultivate social capital with strong ties for support and looser ties for information.
Some ideas to help you build meaningful connections:
- Be genuinely curious. Show genuine interest in others.
- Make an effort to remember names. It surprises and pleases people
- Don’t expect them to remember your name. Introduce yourself to people you haven’t seen in a while-they may not remember your name, but they will remember you.
- Listen more than you speak. Active listening builds conversations with meaning.
- Keep in touch. Relationships grow with consistent, thoughtful follow-up.
- Be a connector. Introduce people who might benefit from knowing each other.
- Offer help freely. Support others without expecting anything in return.
- Expand your circles. Variety in your network brings fresh ideas and opportunities.
- Engage in communities. Attend events and join relevant groups
- Invest in relationships over time. Worthwhile connections don’t happen overnight.
- Take notes. Jot down details about new contacts in your phone to help you remember.
The next time you’re in a networking setting, focus on the joy of genuine connection. Get to know someone because they’re interesting, not because of what they can offer you. Effective developmental networks aren’t about collecting contacts; it is about cultivating meaningful relationships with people who care about your success.
Higgins, M. C., & Kram, K. E. (2001). Reconceptualizing Mentoring at Work: A Developmental Network Perspective. The Academy of Management Review, 26(2), 264–288. https://doi.org/10.2307/259122
