The importance of building a diverse network

- It's been said that it's not what you know it's who you know. And this couldn't be more true for building a diverse, professional network. It's a necessity, if you want to be successful in your career, your business and in every area of your life. Hello, I'm Dr. Shirley Davis, and I'm a global workforce expert or certified leadership coach and a former global head of diversity, equity and inclusion for several major organizations. I work with leaders all over the world, offering solutions and strategies and best practices for how to build more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. So this topic is personal to me, and it couldn't be more important than right now. I also consider myself a master connector and an effective relationship builder, and I have experienced the value that a diverse professional network can bring. A professional network consists of a group of individuals that you can connect with and build a relationship with that will enable you to advance your goals and access new opportunities and resources. But critical to your success in today's changing world is a diverse professional network. I have people in my network from all walks of life who are very different from me. They come from various ethnicities, genders, cultures, ages, beliefs, personalities, experiences, skill sets, and thinking styles. This is how I define diversity, and it makes for a rich and beautiful tapestry of unique gifts and talents. I began building this kind of network early in my career. As a woman, a minority and a young professional, I didn't see many people who look like me at the top of many organizations. And I knew that I would need the support of others. I tapped into my diverse network who taught me how to navigate inside of an organization and how to position myself as a leader, and how to communicate my value. I also leveraged my network for increasing knowledge and skills and learning more about the industries that I worked in, and getting access to resources. So in this course, I'd like to share from those personal experiences, what I've learned about building a diverse network and accessing its many benefits. So come join me, and let's get started.