Make Every Relationship Count
SPOILER ALERT – The following article is an abbreviated version of this 30-minute presentation I recorded on how to professionally network to achieve professional development goals. You can also access my presentation slides from this link.
If you only want the highlights and a quick read, then read on.
Why is professional networking important?
Although many teachers work in silos, it is impossible to professionally grow in a silo. Many teachers will participate in conferences by picking and choosing presentations and watching them alone, and that, is where I feel the greatest professional growth opportunity is missed.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to socialize the learning experience by:
Engaging peers in learning conversations to broaden perspective;
Establishing relationships with peers to explore how to apply new concepts; and
Maintaining the relationship to share feedback on how the learning was applied.
Socializing professional learning, peer learning, is critical for professional growth, which directly contributes to improving student learning outcomes. Ample research supports this assertion. In fact, some research has shown that students can benefit just by peers sharing experience in intermittent and short professional exchanges.
The next conference you participate in, whether it be in-person or virtual, will provide an excellent opportunity for you to realize the power of peer learning. To realize this, though, you need to get over the stigma of meeting people, and prioritize your professional learning goals.
Why is socializing professional learning so difficult?
Peer learning doesn’t happen naturally or easily. Many teachers take for granted how some of the most impactful professional discussions evolve at conferences and workshops. The most impactful professional discussions take place because relational trust has been established. When I reflect on the criteria for relational trust to be established with me, I am look for:
Interesting and unique perspectives;
Rich knowledge and experience;
Positive outlook on teaching and learning;
Personal affinity for one another;
Good communication skills; and
Share goals and interests.
When relational trust is established, teachers engage in transformative professional learning conversations. The most impactful conversations have these characteristics, the conversations:
Are substantive
Use student performance data
Assume shared responsibility to improve student learning
Are non-threatening
Enable people to know things about each other as people
Recall and apply professional knowledge
lead to action
Herein lies the problem and why socializing learning at conferences can be so difficult. In order for relational trust to develop at a professional learning event, participants are often reliant on facilitators to create the environment ripe for positive peer relationships to blossom. The problem, put simply, is that participants aren’t prepared to take responsibility for making meaningful peer relationships, and in some cases don’t believe that positive peer learning relationships can only happen organically.
The solution
By making networking an explicit component to professional development teachers will develop a foundation for transformative and sustainable professional growth.
“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day.
If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”
I believe the real problem is that participants go to professional learning events looking to be handed a fish, when in fact a well-designed professional learning event is a fish farm, with rods everywhere, loads of bait and pools full of fish. What participants need to know, and expect, that it is incumbent upon them to not only want to meet people, but also be prepared to meet people. In other words, they need to come hungry and know how to feed themselves.
Now it’s time to learn to fish. In order to professionally network effectively, with the intent of realizing professional growth, you need to:
Address the challenges to professional networking
Identify benefits that can only be achieved through peer learning
Understand how to get started with professional networking
Be prepared with a few strategies for effective professional networking
Use tools and techniques to maintain relationships
Address the challenges to professional networking
One of the main challenges associated with professional networking is that it can be difficult to make an emotional connection with someone in relatively short amounts of time. Professional networks are all about relationships, and the development of trust and understanding between individuals takes time.
Additionally, professional networking can be a difficult and intimidating process, as it often involves establishing relationships with people who may have more experience or knowledge than you. This can make professional networking feel very impersonal and one-sided, but with the proper strategies and techniques, it can be a valuable tool for professional development.
Here are some common challenges that many people must address when professionally networking:
‘Small talk’ feels awkward and contrived
Making a good first impression
Finding the “right” thing to say
Fear of being judged for words or actions
Social anxiety in large groups
Unfamiliar with networking etiquette
Are there any other challenges you are specifically concerned about? If so, find someone you believe to be a good ‘networker’ and share your concerns and see what advice they have. You might be surprised that they share the same concern and have some simple strategies to overcome it.
Identify benefits that can only be achieved through peer learning
If the idea of professionally networking makes you feel uncomfortable, that you better be sure to make the benefits clear. Professional networking can be a great way for you to discover job opportunities, gain access to resources, and obtain advice from professionals with similar interests.
Here are a few more reasons you will want to make explicit when professionally networking, it:
Enables teachers to quickly develop relational trust with peers;
Provides an opportunity for collaboration that can create meaningful connections to advance one’s career;
Serves as a platform for discussion, idea-sharing, and problem-solving;
Provides teachers with feedback and support on their Professional Development goals to help them stay motivated and focused;
Helps teachers build relationships that span beyond their school, giving them access to new ideas and resources from peers across a variety of teaching contexts;
Supports teachers to stay ahead of the curve, learn new things quickly and deeply, and keep pace with changes within their area of focus; and
Contributes significantly to overall career satisfaction.
Effective networking can dramatically cut the time required to acquire and master new skills, or position you for new opportunities and roles.
If you have read this far in the article, then there is something you want to achieve by preparing to network at your next learning event, what is it?
Understand how to get started with professional networking
Professional networking involves finding people who have similar interests or experiences, are open to new ideas, and are willing to help each other achieve professional development goals. Finding people at conferences can be easier than at your own school, largely because in well-designed learning environments, as well as social media, prospective peers have provided a detailed profile, including photo, they have asked good questions and contributed meaningful comments. Everything you need to know about someone has already been provided before the event, so start doing some research and identify some prospective new friends.
Next, when starting to build a professional network, or if you want to take better advantage of an existing network, it is important to identify and prioritize professional development goals. Once these have been established, you can connect with like-minded peers in your field or related fields such as subject matter experts or mentors who can provide valuable feedback and support. The key to getting started is being able to make explicit to others what you hope to achieve from the relationship.
These five things should help teachers get started with professional networking, enabling them to build professional networks that will benefit both professional development goals and overall career satisfaction.
Know Your Brand – What are your strengths?
Know Your Passion and Your Voice – Why do you love teaching and learning? How do you want to help others professionally grow?
Know Your Professional Development Goals - Understand what Professional Development goals you are looking to achieve and how Professional Networking can help.
Know Your Network - Connect with like-minded peers in your field or related fields such as subject matter experts or mentors who can provide valuable feedback and support.
Be Proactive at Events and Online - Use Professional Development events and social media to network, discuss ideas, and share best practices.
Be prepared with a few strategies for effective professional networking
When professionally networking, it is important to keep certain tips and strategies in mind. Professional networking should be approached with an attitude of collaboration and respect for the professional development goals of others. Additionally, respecting other people's time by maintaining the focus of conversations is paramount.
Professional networking should also be seen as a mutual exchange of knowledge, resources, and ideas; so being open to learning opportunities and providing feedback where appropriate can help strengthen professional networks. Finally, it is important to remember that professional networking takes time and involves an ongoing effort - relationships should be nurtured to ensure professional connections remain beneficial for everyone involved.
Professional networking is not just about making contacts but also about maintaining meaningful relationships. Make sure to nurture professional network connections and be open to new ideas, feedback, and support.
Once professional networks have been established, it is important to maintain relationships through effective communication and trust. Acquiring tools and techniques for maintaining professional networks will not only help ensure professional development goals are sustained, but that they can be built upon.
By keeping these tips and strategies in mind, professional networking can become a more effective tool for achieving professional development goals. Professional networks should also be seen as an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with peers and mentors that can provide valuable feedback and support to ensure what we are learning and doing is realizing the desired outcome.
In closing, here are 5 things you should be mindful of when preparing for your next conference:
Take initiative and seek professional network contacts out; don't wait for them to come to you. Search for prospective friends by viewing profiles and seeing what questions and comments people have made leading up to the conference.
Have an elevator pitch prepared, so you can quickly explain professional development goals and objectives.
Make sure contacts have all the relevant information they need about you, so they can easily reach out if professional development opportunities arise.
Offer contacts something of value, such as professional development resources or advice; this will ensure professional network contacts feel appreciated and respected.
Follow up with contacts after professional development activities; this will help build trust and ensure your professional network is maintained over time. Professional contacts should also be encouraged to follow up with one another if any professional development opportunities arise in the future. This will create a strong sense of peer support.
Michael Iannini is an education management consultant that is recognized by the Council of International Schools as an expert in Strategic Planning, Governance, Human Resource Management, and Leadership Development. He is the author of Hidden in Plain Sight: Realizing the Full Potential of Middle Leaders, and coordinates professional development for a network of over 250 private schools in Asia for the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools and Search Associates. You can learn more about Michael and his work by visiting www.pdacademia.com and www.middleleader.com.
