Throughout this article, we explore various strategies and techniques that can help us become better leaders in meetings. By applying these insights and consistently honing our leadership abilities, we can create a positive and productive atmosphere within our teams, ultimately leading to greater success for our organizations.

Relationship building is a fundamental human skill that greatly enhances personal, professional, and community interactions. In essence, it involves creating and maintaining connections with others that are based on trust, respect, and mutual understanding. The value of building strong relationships lies in the potential to foster collaboration, gain diverse perspectives, achieve goals more effectively, and improve conflict resolution. On a personal level, strong relationships contribute to emotional support and personal fulfillment.

I have heard a lot of confusion around personal and professional branding recently, and so let’s start off getting clear around this. Your personal brand is your professional brand as it’s personal to you, it’s authentic, congruent, and aligned.

A personal brand eradicates the feeling of fake or phoney, and it builds your own self-advocacy, which means you can self-validate and eradicate those cold feet or imposter syndrome feelings and instead become empowered and know how to stand, get noticed, and showcase your own value.

Fake and insincere just don’t cut it in the industry anymore.

The challenge that arises here is this - if you haven’t worked on building your own personal brand and understanding your own internal code then it’s very possible others may perceive you as being fake or inauthentic, without you even realising it.

When we have compromised too much of our own values to keep the peace or please others we start to feel disengaged with the world around us and this includes our workplace.

Approach cold outreach with the belief that you have something of value to offer, and the interaction could be mutually beneficial. This shifts the perspective from being an imposition to opening a door for potential collaboration or opportunity. If someone has agreed to have a 30-minute conversation with you, then that means they are curious and open to possibilities that can occur in a conversation. It also means they have their own agenda too. Like an interview, you want to remain empowered in your position and not give away your power to the other person.

Genuine engagement is about creating meaningful connections that enrich professional relationships, contribute to a supportive and collaborative environment, and foster a sense of community and belonging in the workplace or industry.

In this article I want to focus on NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES and strategies that will enhance your growth both professionally and personally whilst building on your reputation without feeling icky or phoney.

Thinking creatively to distinguish yourself in a market full of similar professionals.

Considering your skills from the traditional viewpoint of a ‘techie’ aspiring to ascend the corporate ladder.

In my reinvention research and self-study this year, I have found myself getting more educated across the second curve phenomenon. I had heard about it in the past, but it’s not something I have consciously sat with and thought through. But the more I have read about it this year, the more I realize that when I left my 8-year corporate job 10 years ago, it was a textbook ‘second curve’ move.

Today, let’s start by getting real clear exactly what imposter syndrome is.

Imposter syndrome in a career context refers to the psychological phenomenon where individuals:

• Doubt their accomplishments

• Have persistent feelings of inadequacy

• Fear being exposed as a fraud

despite evidence of their competence or success in their profession. It often manifests as a pervasive fear of not being skilled or knowledgeable enough for their role, despite external validation or achievements.

Imposter syndrome can hinder:

• Career advancement

• Lead to self-sabotage

• Cause significant distress and anxiety in the workplace

Ever find yourself wondering at how certain professionals effortlessly navigate the career landscape, leaving an indelible mark wherever they go?

Now, imagine being THAT unsung hero, working away with remarkable skills, yet your hard work, dedication and commitment appears to go unnoticed in your professional arena.

Frustrating, isn't it?

Welcome to the world of 2024, where it's not just about what you bring to the table but how you serve it.