Perhaps you’ve seen people on LinkedIn promote themselves as “LIONs.” No, they don’t growl or try to steal your food, but they are letting others know that they take an open networking approach to building contacts.
LION stands for “LinkedIn Open Networker,” and these individuals believe the more people you’re connected to, the more opportunities you can attract. This approach also is seen in other social media platforms and in person, as well.
As you build your post-military career and network, consider whether taking an open networking approach works for you. Let’s look at the pros and cons.
Benefits of Open Networking
To be willing to connect with anyone who asks, as an open networker, you’ll receive:
- More visibility across various companies and industries.
- Higher name recognition with contacts who otherwise might not be able to connect with you.
- A greater number of connections on social media, which can drive the impression that you’re more popular and influential.
People who love the open concept of networking claim that the more people you know, the more potential connections to opportunities that arise. They are less discerning about who they connect with and what they know about that individual, than the quantity of connections they have in their network.
Negatives of Open Networking
If you’re considering being an open networker, consider:
- It’s harder to build relationships with thousands of people. You might miss out on a great relationship because of the number of contacts you’re trying to manage.
- Some people you’ll connect with will ask more of you than they give in return.
- The potential for spam and irrelevant messaging is higher if connections aren’t vetted.
I’ll let you in on a not-so-secret secret: I’m not a fan of open networking. I find that the risks of being connected to someone who could damage your reputation is high. Additionally, it’s easy to cross personal and professional boundaries when we’re not intentional about why we’re connecting with someone, or how we’ll be able to return value to their network.
For me, quality matters more than quantity in networking.
Decide on Your Networking Strategy
As you exit the military, you might be tempted to connect with anyone who asks because you’re seeking to build your civilian contacts. This is perfectly normal and understandable. Consider, however, that if you make a civilian connection that goes against your best judgment or values, you could jeopardize the integrity of your network and do more harm than good.
Instead, consider who you know today and who you should know. Seek to connect intentionally and strategically with people who are in industries, companies and career paths that interest you. Cultivate these relationships and ensure you’re building a quality network.
Then, when you’ve got the start of your network up and running, inquire who else you should know. Ask your peers, mentors, advisers and friends who would be a great connection for you, given your career goals and objectives.
Being thoughtful and careful about who’s in your network ensures you’ll commit the time and attention needed to nurture those valuable networking relationships. Over time, you’ll see that the upfront investment of time and care will pay dividends in helping you grow your civilian career.
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