13d • 👔 Leadership Excellence
📖 Weekly Leadership Discussion: Networking Begins with Self-Leadership
This week we're discussing an excellent leadership article by Doug Schmidt that reminds us that successful networking begins long before you need a new job, client, promotion, or opportunity.
Instead of focusing on collecting contacts, Schmidt encourages us to build genuine relationships based on trust, integrity, generosity, and consistent follow-through. His message is clear: people don't follow resumes—they follow character.
Read the full article here:
Leadership Takeaways
✅ Lead yourself first. Self-discipline, integrity, humility, and accountability are the foundation of effective leadership.
✅ Build your network before you need it. The strongest opportunities often come from relationships that have been developed over time.
✅ Give more than you ask. Look for ways to help others without expecting an immediate return.
✅ Follow up consistently. Small actions like sending a thank-you note or congratulating someone on an achievement help build lasting relationships.
✅ Listen with purpose. Strong leaders ask thoughtful questions and seek to understand others before sharing their own ideas.
✅ Build a diverse network. Relationships with people from different industries, backgrounds, and experiences lead to new ideas, mentors, partnerships, and career opportunities.
✅ Become a connector. One of the greatest leadership skills is introducing people who can help each other succeed.
Discussion Questions
- What was your biggest lesson from this article?
- Which takeaway challenged your thinking the most?
- Have you ever received an opportunity because of a relationship you built over time? Share your experience.
- Which networking habit do you plan to improve over the next 30 to 90 days?
Leadership Growth Opportunity
Take a moment to evaluate yourself.
- Do you consistently follow through on your commitments?
- Are you known for adding value before asking for help?
- Do you intentionally stay connected with your professional network?
- Are you mentoring someone or helping another person grow?
- What one habit could you develop that would make you a stronger leader and relationship builder?
💬 This Week's Leadership Challenge
Reach out to one person you haven't spoken with recently. Thank them for their impact, congratulate them on a recent accomplishment, or simply check in to see how they're doing. Focus on strengthening the relationship rather than asking for anything in return.
We'd love to hear your thoughts. Share your biggest takeaway, what lesson you learned, and one leadership growth opportunity you've identified for yourself after reading the article.
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📖 Weekly Leadership Discussion: Networking Begins with Self-Leadership
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