How to Leverage Existing Networks for Women 50+

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

Ever thought, “I’m too old for networking”? I get it.👇 You believe it’s too late, that you have nothing to offer, and that people won’t be willing to connect with an older professional. ↳ The reality: networking knows no age limit. In fact, experience and wisdom are some of the most valuable assets you bring to the table. Your age is not a barrier—it’s an advantage. ↳ Imagine this: effective networking is about building meaningful connections, not simply exchanging business cards. As someone with years of experience, you’re uniquely positioned to offer insights, guidance, and value to others. How can you embrace networking at any age? ◉ Tap into your experience  → Your career journey is a goldmine of lessons, stories, and achievements. Share them to create authentic connections.  → Reflect on how your expertise can help others—mentorship, advice, or just a listening ear can leave a lasting impact. ◉ Reconnect with old contacts  → Networking doesn’t always mean meeting new people. Reach out to former colleagues, classmates, or acquaintances.  → Rekindling old connections is often more impactful than starting from scratch. ◉ Leverage your confidence  → Unlike younger professionals, you’ve already built a strong foundation. Use your self-assurance to approach networking with purpose.  → Be selective and intentional about the connections you pursue. ◉ Be a resource for others  → Networking isn’t just about what you gain—it’s also about giving. Share your expertise, mentor someone younger, or facilitate introductions.  → By adding value, you strengthen your network organically. ◉ Ask yourself:  → Who in my network can benefit from my insights and experiences this week?  → How can I use my existing connections to create new opportunities? ✨REMEMBER: networking is a lifelong skill. Whether you’re 25, 45, or 65, it’s never too late to grow your network and make meaningful connections. Your experience is your greatest strength—use it! ---------------------------------------- Networking can bring real value to your career and personal life—opening doors, building support, and creating valuable connections. Yet, it often has a negative image due to common myths. Passionate about networking, I'll be sharing simple, weekly tips to clear up these myths and help you get the most out of your network. #networkingapproach #personalbranding #relationships #careermanagement 

>>>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.↓

🔥 New Issue of Collaboration Is Queen is Live! This month's featured article: "Why Seasoned Women Over 50 Need Allies, Not Contacts that Don't Work" Here's what I've learned after 20 years of building social capital through collaboration... The women who thrive aren't the ones with the biggest networks. They're the ones with the strongest alliances. I've spent decades proving that collaboration beats competition every time. But here's what I wish I'd understood sooner: not every connection becomes a collaborator. And that's exactly where most of us get stuck. In this issue, I'm sharing: ✨ Why traditional networking leaves seasoned women exhausted ✨ The velvet rope strategy that built LinkedIn (and how I'm using it now) ✨ How to identify true allies vs. surface-level contacts ✨ The partnership approach that creates lasting business relationships I built my entire business around the power of collaboration. Now I'm teaching you how to do the same. Because at this stage of our careers, we don't need more people who'll "keep us in mind." We need allies who'll actively champion our success. Ready to shift from networking to true partnership? 👉 Read the full issue. If this resonates with you, please share the article with other seasoned women who need to hear this message. What's been your experience? Have you found your true business allies yet? #CollaborationIsQueen #WomenInBusiness #Partnerships #WomenOver50 #BusinessAllies