How might I use mentoring and networking as tools to help me grow as a leader?

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Networking, The leadership role is a challenging one that requires you to update your skills and knowledge constantly throughout your career. At times, it can be lonely, if you do not have supports within your organization to help you cope with the not insignificant hurdles you face or, even when they are available, you may not always Feel comfortable discussing issues internally, in case of you are seen in a negative in a negative light And so, it is useful for leaders to develop their networks to the full and to seek mentors to guide them.

Networking

Effective networking can contribute significantly to your personal development and in helping you to gain access to new opportunities and Positions. Three type of network may be valuable to you:

Internal networks

Internal networks: there always are key people with any organization with whom you should strive to develop meaningful relationship, not only in political sense, but in terms of forging bonds with those who play an integral part in helping you to deliver on your leadership responsibilities and achieve your goals.
External business networks: There are many businesses associations and online networks, each targeting a specific field. You should be a member of the most important bodies relevant to your industry. You should also search for network where other leaders are prevalent, as these can be useful contacts for you sharing and learning from common experiences.
Social networks: Do not neglect this aspect of your life.

Some people misunderstand – and misuse – networking, so it is important that you use it for the right reason and in the right way there is nothing worse than someone who tries to network solely out of self-interest. Keep these simple points in mind:

View networking as a two-way process – do not simply search for new contact for what you might get out of the relationship.
Take a long-term you –networking rarely delivers immediate results.
Always be prepared to help your contacts, without seeking an immediate pay-back.
Networking is not the same as handling out your business card to all the sundry.
You must be pro-active in sustaining your network.

Mentoring

Mentoring is another potential support mechanism for leaders; some organisations have formal programs in place, whereby senior leaders mentor those more junior to them. In the absence of a formal structure, you can identify your own mentors either inside or outside the company.

To get the full value of mandatory, ensure that you:

Carefully choose your mentor(s); always identify individuals whom you know and respect as leaders, or for their specific expertise.
Determine the precise areas that each mentor can help you with. One mentor cannot meet all your support needs.
Stay clearly focused upon specific development needs.

Most people you approach will be happy to serve as a mentor and then it is matter of determining what time they can devote to the role.

Although mentoring relationship should be relatively informal, they should not be ad hoc. Therefore, in managing the relationship, clarify both parties expectations the specific focus of the mentoring, how often you will meet and how might measure progress. By simple preparation and planning steps such as these, you will enhance the result you get.