From the course: Building a Diverse Professional Network

Before building your network: Start with you

From the course: Building a Diverse Professional Network

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Before building your network: Start with you

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- Not so fast. Sure, we want to surround ourselves with great people, but the most important relationship in life starts with self. If you want to attract top quality people and have quality mutual, beneficial relationships, you have some work to do first. Here are four areas that I suggest you focus on. First, understand who you are. It's important to identify what is your why, your purpose and what drives you every day. Your purpose is the reason why you're wired the way you are, and this will help you to identify your own unique diversity. Number two, know where you're going. This is about having a vision for your life, which answers the where question. Not so much where you are right now, but where are you going and who are you becoming? This will assist you in targeting people who can help you get to your destination. Number three, get clear on what you have to offer. Assess your own values, your strengths and skills and needs and opportunities for growth, and by doing so, you'll be able to better identify people and opportunities that are the best fit for you. And number four, identify how others perceive you. The collective perceptions of others is what forms your personal brand, and knowing what your distinctive advantage is will help others find you and agree to connect with you. Once you establish the most important relationship in your life and you become comfortable with who you are, then you are ready to surround yourself with the right people who will build you up, make you better and provide the kind of support that will enable you to thrive.

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