Building decision-making networks for women

Many of my female #coaching clients struggle to build and leverage powerful social networks, which can limit their career opportunities. Many women feel uncomfortable "bragging" about their accomplishments, preferring instead to rely on good performance as a primary career strategy. Furthermore, research shows that when they do talk about their accomplishments, doing so has a less positive impact than when men do the same thing. This new research from Carla Rua-Gomez, Gianluca Carnabuci, and Martin C. Goossen shows that women are well served by building high-status networks through shared connections. Women are about one-third more likely than men to form high-status connections via a third-party tie. "Third-party ties serve as bridges, connecting individuals to a high-status network that might otherwise remain out of reach. Such ties help both men and women forge valuable professional connections. But why are third-party ties especially beneficial for women? Because they are not mere connections; they are endorsements, character references, and amplifiers of capability. They carry the implicit approval and trust of the mutual contact. When a respected colleague introduces a woman to a high-status individual, that introduction comes with a subtext of credibility. It signals to the high-status connection that the woman has already been vetted and deemed competent by someone they trust. This endorsement can be a critical factor in gaining access to circles that might otherwise remain closed off due to conscious or unconscious biases." #careerstrategies #women #networking https://lnkd.in/eDBqbQcG

After founding and scaling a women's organization to 15,000+ members, I know one truth: 89% of women's networks fail to deliver real value. This one won't. As the founder and former CEO of the National Association of Women Sales Professionals (NAWSP), I built a community that transformed careers, not just conversations. Three critical elements I learned about building powerful women's networks: • Success depends on curation, not collection. The right 20 connections outperform 2,000 random ones every time. • Women leaders need spaces designed for their actual lives, not idealized versions. Your calendar is already full. • Networks that drive results focus on action and visibility, not just talk and theory. This is why I immediately recognized the power of the Wednesday Women Membership that just launched today. It's not another crowded Slack group with performative networking. It's built for exec-level women who lead with conviction, value authentic connection, and want every woman to rise. No Instagram-perfect corporate masks. No status symbol price tags. No time-wasting activities. Instead: ✅ Hand-curated and AI-powered network connections that actually matter ✅ Value that fits into your actual life ✅ A community rooted in action, generosity, authenticity, and visibility I've built and led organizations that changed the trajectory of women's careers for over a decade. The Wednesday Women approach aligns with everything I know works. Power doesn't come from larger networks. It comes from strategic ones. What would change if you stopped collecting connections and started cultivating the right ones? P.S. For women executives tired of networks that take more than they give: This is your community. https://lnkd.in/epHyq42c #WednesdayWomen #ExecutiveWomen

New Insights on Networking Strategies for Female Executives The journey to the top for female executives often faces hurdles due to limited access to informal networks. But, a groundbreaking study led by Inga Carboni from William & Mary’s Mason School of Business unveils key strategies that successful women employ to build robust networks. **Efficiency: They're masters of time management, understanding that every 'yes' necessitates a 'no' elsewhere. Prioritization and streamlined communication are their allies. *Nimbleness: Instead of solely relying on existing connections, they forge new relationships aligned with their goals, ensuring adaptability in an ever-evolving landscape. **Boundary-spanning: They bridge divides, connecting across functions, geographies, and business units. This diversity in connections fuels innovation and fosters growth. ***Energy Balance: They blend competence with warmth, leveraging emotional intelligence to build trust and drive performance. These behaviours aren't just advantageous for individual career progression; they're essential for organizational success. #WomenInLeadership #NetworkingStrategies #CareerAdvancement #Innovation #DiversityAndInclusion

I'm sorry to tell you this, but... your network is holding you back. Last week, I talked to two women leaders. Both brilliant. Both hardworking. Both stuck. Ebony has been "networking" for years. She goes to every company event, accepts every coffee chat invitation, responds to every LinkedIn request. Her calendar is packed with "connections." But when a VP role opened up? Her name never came up. Loren has seven people. That's it. But those seven people include someone who champions her work in exec meetings, someone who introduced her to three board members, and someone who tells her the truth when she's about to make a career-limiting move. When that same VP role opened? Loren got a call before the job was even posted. Here's what I've learned: We've been taught that more connections = more opportunities. But that's not how it works. The women advancing fastest aren't collecting contacts. They're building strategic advisory teams. Personal boards of directors with specific roles: The Sponsor. The Connector. The Truth-Teller. The Industry Sage. People who don't just know your name — they advocate for your promotion, open doors you didn't know existed, and invest in your success. So here's my question for you: If you were honest right now — do you have a network, or do you have a board? And if something big opened up tomorrow, who would actually be championing your name in the room? Drop your thoughts below. I want to hear what's working (or not working) for you. P.S. If you're ready to build your strategic board, my latest article breaks down the 7 roles you need and how to fill them. Link in comments. #LeadGrowTakeUpSpace #WomenInLeadership #CareerStrategy

Most female executives in Africa and in the diaspora are networking but in the wrong direction. Recently I had a chat with one of our Ascent Club members who works for a multinational and represents her company on several boards. On the surface, it looks like a dream: board-level access, global exposure, high visibility. But here’s the problem. Those seats don’t belong to her. They belong to her company. If she leaves the organisation tomorrow, the next person who gets the role automatically gets those board seats When I asked how she was using those opportunities to build her own portfolio, her answer was telling: She stared at me blankly then replied, "Glory, I just go to the meetings, discuss with my counterparts, do my work, and go home.” That’s what I call networking sideways — connecting with peers, building rapport inside the company, but not building upward relationships with decision-makers, sponsors, or international counterparts who could shape her future. The danger? You end up with what I call historic visibility, where you are always pointing back to what you used to do, instead of creating fresh opportunities that keep you relevant today. So how do you avoid this trap? Two shifts: Shift 1 — Build Upward, Not Just Across. Yes, peers are important. But your future roles will also be decided by people above you, across industries and geographies. Start asking: Who is the equivalent of me in Singapore, in Ghana, in New York? Connect with them now, before you need them. Shift 2 — Use Every Corporate Seat to Build Your Personal Brand. Don’t just “represent” your company. Position yourself as a thought leader in your own right. Share your perspective, contribute visibly, and follow up with connections beyond the boardroom. Make sure people associate the you behind the title. Because networking sideways will keep you liked. Networking upwards will get you chosen. These are the types of conversation we will be having at my London meet and greet - Visibility & Prosecco — happening 27th August in Central London. It’s a safe, high-impact space for African women and women of colour to: Talk openly about visibility and sponsorship in UK corporate spaces Learn practical strategies to build influence beyond your job title Connect with women who’ve already navigated these challenges successfully And I’m excited to announce a NEW guest speaker: Nkem Igwe — award-winning transformation executive, board advisor, and founder of The Connectors Code. She’ll share how to leverage courageous connections to grow in your career. She joins Valerie.B Lawson and Yetty Williams, MBA. for an evening of powerful, mind-shifting conversations. 📅 27th August | Central London 🎟 Tickets: £100 👉 Register here using the link in the comments What's your biggest challenge when it comes to networking upwards?

>>>Do you have a networking plan? A sponsor? I've always actively supported women in building their networks. I regularly push my close friends to build their networks. Unfortunately, we are far worse at building social capital than men. What is social capital? Put simply, a high level of social capital means having good relationships with many people and access to valuable and diverse resources. A good relationship denotes strong norms of trust and reciprocity. You could think of this as goodwill, favors, obligation, or solidarity. Women typically have narrow and deep networks, while men have broad and shallow networks. Broad networks help find and spread ideas, while narrow networks provide close support. High-achieving women often have both. Here are 8 strategies to honour March 8 and help women combine local contact with global reach in professional networking: 1️⃣  𝗕𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 - instead of aiming for a vast network, focus on being strategic with a smaller group of people. 2️⃣ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 - determine what you want to achieve through networking 3️⃣ 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 - map out how often you want to network and stick to your plan, balancing broadening your network and deepening existing relationships. 4️⃣ 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Meeting industry professionals at local events can help expand your professional network. Face-to-face interactions are invaluable. (We are running #LinkedInLocal on March 25! You're welcome to join us in person.) 5️⃣ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 - start with LinkedIn. Join an online community. 6️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 - Find sponsors in your location to gain face time and access to global high-status networks. 7️⃣ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀 - volunteer for local events, shop at local markets, or participate in local groups or clubs to build bridges across cultures and languages. Everybody needs friends close by. 8️⃣ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 -  provide assistance, share insights, and support your network. When I contact my female friends and acquaintances, I'm sad about how little progress they have made in a year. Why don't we prioritize networking? Time constraints, family obligations, and the mode of a single married parent are the top 3 reasons. That puts us at a disadvantage in accessing career advancement, mentorship, and professional support. I want to know your why? If you have the answers, tell us below.↓

Top 10 Tips for Women to Build a Strong Power Network   As we continue with our series, remember that in today's world, building a powerful network is like finding the perfect pair of shoes—it will help you stand tall and provide the support you need to go the distance. As President & CEO of AAHOA I have seen firsthand how strong networks drive growth, foster collaboration, and open doors (the kind that do not require a secret knock).   For women, a strong power network is not just about who you know—it is about who helps you grow, challenges you to be better, and opens doors you did not know existed.   Here are my top 10 tips for building a strong power network:   Be Intentional Approach networking with purpose. Set clear goals—whether for career growth, skill development, or mentorship—and target connections who align with your objectives, but also for whom you can provide support and insights. Think of it as curating your closet—everything should fit and support your style.   Leverage Existing Relationships  Your current network—family, friends, and peers—holds untapped potential. Sometimes your best connections are sitting next to you. Ask: "Who do you know that I should be introduced to, and how can I do the same for you?"   Join Women-Centric Networks  Women-focused networks offer a space for shared experiences. Groups like AAHOA's HerOwnership empower women through meaningful connections. Be part of a community that lifts you up.   Seek Out Mentors and Sponsors  Mentors provide guidance; sponsors advocate for you. Do not be shy. Many influential leaders are honored if you ask them for guidance and support.   Attend Conferences  Conferences are great for establishing thought leadership. Make an effort to connect with a new circle of colleagues. Do not underestimate the power of a great conversation over conference coffee.   Embrace Social Media Social platforms like LinkedIn allow you to connect globally. Stay active, share insights, and build relationships and visibility—all from the comfort of your couch.   Give Back Networking is reciprocal. Giving back strengthens connections. It is like sharing a great vacation destination—everyone benefits.   Be Authentic Authenticity builds trust. Focus on meaningful connections. Ask about their favorite books and movies or their favorite conspiracy theories! Find out about their career aspirations, and see if you can help them achieve goals along the way. Go beyond the superficial and have a great time connecting in new ways.    Overcome the Confidence Gap  As women, we often hesitate to promote ourselves. But your voice is valuable. Set goals and build confidence. Think of it as working out—start small and soon enough, you are lifting more than you ever thought possible.   Stay Committed Networking is a continuous process. Just like learning a new skill—practice makes perfect.   Conclusion  Building a strong power network is essential for success. Take charge today—the possibilities are endless!