Thanks for signing up to all the new readers! Here are some nuggets about how networks shape your wellbeing, relationships and community to help you actively cultivate yours.
Know a potential podcast guest?
For season 3, the podcast will focus on experiences that impact our networks and what network-cultivating habits we form to make the best of it. If you or someone you know has had a network-impacting event, I’d love to speak! It could be a very common life event (e.g. divorce) or an experience that’s increasingly common (e.g. becoming a refugee or being diagnosed with a serious condition). The key characteristics I’m looking for are:
They experienced a specific life event that impacted their personal network one or more times
They have actively reflected on the impact and developed habits or strategies to make the best of the situation
They are willing to share their experience with listeners (their voice will be heard, but they don’t have to share their name/photo publicly if they don’t want to)
Wellbeing
Even though many of us aren’t commuting to work these days, relationships with and between our colleagues still have a huge impact on our wellbeing. The Importance of Positive Relationships in the Workplace does a great job of outlining some of the key, evidence-based benefits to these relationships:
“Put simply, when employees experience positive relationships, the body’s ability to build, maintain, and repair itself is improved both in the workplace and in non-work related leisure and resting times.”
Relationships
When it comes to professional relationships, we’re increasingly aware of how diverse our colleagues are within an organisation. But how often do you think about the diversity of your wider network? 11 Practical Ways To Build A Diverse Network Of Professional Connections provides some clear, tactical advice that you can employ in person or virtually. It will help you increase the variety of ideas and perspectives that you are able to access in the context of your work. #9 is a great place to start:
9. Examine Your Network Map
Ask yourself a series of questions: “How many of these individuals look like me? How many are my same gender? How many share my same spiritual beliefs? How many grew up in the same city or state as me? How many share my same cultural practices?” We often have networks that mirror who we are, so the next step is to intentionally branch out. Be deliberate and intentionally step away from your usual preferences.
Community
Looking for a tech solution to engage your professional community? There’s a growing list of options to support these types of communities and the people who manage them. Even if you don’t run a community yourself, you can suggest these tools to the community manager to increase engagement and the value you get from that group.
Circle: “The modern community platform for creators”
Discourse: “Civilized discussion for your community”
Guild: “A messaging platform for professional groups, networks and communities”
Mighty Networks: “A new kind of website builder that grows with you”
Tribe: “A powerful community platform, integrated into your product”
Upstream: “The best place to grow your professional community”
Weavr: “Build more impactful networks and communities”
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About The Reliants Project
Reliant is my word for a person that someone depends on, an essential component of our social networks. With each edition, I’ll share useful nuggets about how networks shape your wellbeing, relationships and community to help you actively cultivate yours. Whether you want to cultivate your relationships, make better introductions, or activate networks to make an impact in the world, let me help you reach your goals.
You can find more about The Reliants Project here.