Networking
The Power of Networking with a “Feminine Attitude”
Over the past few years, I have built up the reputation for being a talented networker and sometimes it takes the puff out of the balloon a bit when I hear people say “ah well, women are natural networkers…genetically!” “No, I’m really good at networking ‘cos I’m cool, NOT just because I’m a woman!” I hear myself groan silently.
However, although I don’t totally approve of the “networking is easy for women” opinions (for obvious reasons :)), Thomas Power, co-Founder of Ecademy (his wife, Penny Power is the brains behind the concept….behind every powerful man there is a …..?”…..anyway, Thomas Power suggests some interesting ideas about networking that I thought worth mentioning as they make sense to me:
“Personally, I believe Hierarchies are Male and Networks are Female”….
“…..the more “connected” you are, the more “attractive” you are. ……….Men being hunters do not think in terms of attractiveness or connectedness which is at the heart of networking. Men therefore have an inherent disadvantage when networking as they focus on the “hunt” or the “transaction” namely “the kill” and miss the opportunity to “connect”. Women welcome random connections, men do not…….” …this is an extract of an e-mail message sent to me and others in Thomas Power’s personal network
The above points made sense to me when I compare networking organisations such as BNI and BRE where the focus is very much on giving and receiving referrals. The way I have naturally developed Ealing Ecademy is incredibly feminine compared with BNI for which I was chapter Director last year. At Ealing Ecademy, the focus is on making connections and building rapport rather than hunting for referrals.
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