Building a Network and Overcoming Challenges

6 Ways to Build a Strong Network

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Our guest for this chapter of the WandrFul Design Podcast was  Sharmistha Das. She is a Silicon Valley veteran who has come to the US with nothing in their pockets and has built a fantastic career in the last 20 years. As a b2b ERP product leader at Oracle for over 16 years, she’s built HR talent and payroll cloud applications from zero to one, digitally transforming businesses of all sizes and translating their visions and strategies around people processes and technology. As a leader, Sharmistha believes in building high-performance teams, relationships, and partnerships with business leaders to reach their objectives.

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1. Don’t be shy

Research shows that most people want to help others, So when hesitating to contact that work friend, former boss, or colleague, trust that they will offer their help and advice.

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2. Focus on your work, but also build relationships

It’s easy to forget to be social in the workplace, especially when you’re too involved in your tasks, deadlines, and productivity. However, building relationships in your work is vital. You’re a team.

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3. Ask for advice for your professional life or personal life

It doesn’t matter if your network has people with completely different or similar backgrounds as you. Peers that have gone through similar things in their life can help you get through various hurdles.

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4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

As leaders and managers, sometimes we forget that as well as helping team members, we can ask for help. You can’t do everything and solve every problem because, in the long run, you can burn yourself out.

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5. Pay attention to your relationships

It’s not only building relationships; it’s also managing and maintaining them. It’s not just putting the seed under the soil but also watering it and ensuring it’s doing well.

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6. Have a bigger perspective

It’s not only your success anymore. While building relationships with people in your own company or business, it’s your team’s success, and your team’s failures will define your success and your failures.

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Books that Sharmistha recommends

Know Thyself - Stephen Glemins

The Female Brain - Louann Brizendine

The Male Brain - Louann Brizendine

Takeaway

Networking is critical in the workplace because it will help you grow professionally and build a stronger team. Whenever you have doubts or need advice, these relationships you’ve been growing for years will get you through.

Don’t forget that socializing in the workplace also means getting to know your teammates, making them stronger and more productive.

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WandrFul Design is a new podcast that delivers insights about data-driven design, innovations, trends, and leadership brought to you by WANDR.