7.2 Networking and Influencing for Change

Bresnen (2017, p. 140) suggests the primary purpose of networking is to acquire or share knowledge, followed by networking for support, such as “emotional reassurance, personal validation, consolation or the expression of feelings outside of the immediate work context.” The role of networking for career advancement is also through connecting with new opportunities and is useful to secure influence over decision‐making and desired behaviours or actions. Marquis and Huston (2021) suggest that networking increases power and influence by forming alliances with peers, senior and junior co‐workers, and colleagues outside the organisation.

Establishing effective networks is an essential aspect of a leader’s role, particularly if formal power is not an option. Networking gives a leader access to contacts, information, resources and support so that they can accomplish a host of tasks, employ creativity and offer innovative solutions to problems. Networking adds collective wisdom and influence for leaders to gain greater support, adding a vital source of knowledge, energy and information on current or future events within an organisation and in wider health professional associations.

7.3 The Skills of Networking

Becoming an effective networker can be achieved with a minimal amount of effort; however, fostering a specific network for a specific purpose may take a degree of attention and focus and require some thought to set up. Although networking may not come naturally to some people, being a good networker by simply interacting and exchanging ideas can be an easy thing to achieve (Kaweckyj 2019).

To enhance effective networking and build effective relationships with the people with whom you connect, remember that first impressions count, whether face to face or online. Look for opportunities when you meet people online through professional discussion groups or at conferences or meetings. Experienced health professionals will use networking to extend their influence by meeting new colleagues. Think about extending your network to include health professionals from a range of disciplines and at various stages of their professional careers. New starters can bring fresh perspectives; experienced colleagues can provide a wealth of information (Prado et al. 2020). Here are some tips for establishing effective networks or developing professional networking skills.

• Extend Your Profile – successful networking requires you to find people with whom you want to be known (Kaweckyj 2019).
  
• Use Social Networks – a detailed social media profile can be beneficial and may support your ongoing career goals. Pizzuti et al. (2020) in their study of healthcare workers (nurses, pharmacists, administrators and doctors) believe that social media is an effective tool for healthcare education. However, keep your professional profile separate from your social activities and be aware of the risks and exposure social media can present.
  
• Engage with Professional Development – completing a course and acquiring more information is an excellent way to learn more and meet new people who have similar interests.
  
• Go to Conferences – conferences play a critical role in the professional development of health professionals and provide many opportunities to network and build relationships (Lindsay 2018). However, they can be costly, so explore sources of funding and opportunities for presenting.
  
• Volunteering and Citizenship – this simply means making yourself available for community‐focused tasks bringing you into more contact with others and contributing to the benefit of the community.
  
• Join a Professional Organisation – membership of professional organisations can bring credibility, keep you current with best practices and give you access to a voice for effecting changes in subjects that interest you.
  
• Look Beyond Your Own Organisation – your networks are richer if they stretch beyond your workplace and even beyond one organisation. Extend your view to what is happening globally in healthcare and nursing.
  
• Be Professionally Committed and Have Clear Messages – leadership requires clear communication. Develop a professional profile and be clear what your interest and specialist area is. This will allow others to identify your area of interest and increase opportunities for networking.
  
• Join Professional Discussion Groups – professional organisations and online discussion groups often function within a social networking context and include forums and chat rooms to engender interactions and ideas and encourage collaborative practice. This can have global reach and extend opportunities.
  
• Mentor or Coach Others or Be Mentored/Coached – being a mentor or coach or seeking out and engaging with a mentor/coach for yourself can enhance your leadership and learning skills and show your commitment and support for others (Houston 2020).
  
• Travel (for professional reasons) – a radical way to widen your networks is actually to go and work in other countries and locations. This can extend your professional practice and experience and lead to lifelong networks.
  
• Develop a Clinical Supervision Process – clinical supervision has a focus on progressing the professionals’ reflective skills on clinical practice and competence with the support and guidance of a more experienced professional to enhance accountability and patient safety in complex situations (King et al. 2020; Martin and Snowdon 2020).
  
• Expand Your Informal “Coffee” Network – health professionals often meet over coffee or tea, and making an effort to have informal social meetings with professionals from other areas or departments will significantly expand your professional network and give you access to information from other parts of the organisation.
  
• Publish – published work enters the global network of professional work, enriching others’ knowledge and allowing them to recognise your professional contribution. It may seem daunting to begin with; however, there are many supportive opportunities. Professional journals often offer online writing hints and tips or courses. Approach authors in your field of interest and ask to discuss ideas for publication.
  
• Be Genuine and Authentic – so that you can build trust in your relationships, being clear about your goals when you network so that you can focus on the right networks, connecting with groups and interests that spark your interest and attention. Listen and ask open‐ended questions in networking conversations, become known as a powerful or useful resource for others, regularly follow up on the contacts you have made, and be clear about how you can be of help to others, rather than just focusing on what the network can do for you.
  
• Use LinkedIn – as a professional social network, LinkedIn is gaining ground. Established in 2003, it now has over 400 million users worldwide (Higgs et al. 2019).
  
• Use Other Social Media Platforms – such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Reddit, “X” and Pinterest. Through the use of social media, reaching out to people far beyond your everyday contacts is beneficial, although remember that social media networks are a tool and are incredibly valuable, but only when used appropriately and wisely as social media platforms come with their own inbuilt risks (see Box 7.1 below).