You Can't Know It All by Wanda T. Wallace

Author:Wanda T. Wallace
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2019-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

Offering an Exchange of Information

Peers in completely different areas of the business often share the same business concerns. So one of the most natural and effective ways to build a network is to offer valuable bits of information. You’ll find that most managers are information junkies; if you can share some tidbit of information or a trend, they will be enthusiastic to talk with you. Better yet, they will repurpose what you have said and communicate it to others, thereby strengthening your reputation and your network.

Think about who will care about your information and go out of your way to share it. In time you will become recognized as a good source and people will start coming to you. You may think that sharing information takes too much time. I encourage you to see it differently. The most admired leaders routinely say that you should be generous with your information. Yes, it takes time to share information and perspective. However, think of the benefits gained for your reputation when influencers see you as the go-to person on a topic or client.

Exercise on Sharing Information: Make a list of information items you have that could be of value to others. The list might include client concerns and points of view, industry trends, or competitive information. Who would be interested in knowing this information? If you cannot think of a person, then identify roles that would be interested in the information. Use this to identify a person in such a role and start a conversation. Knowing what you have to offer puts you in a position to trade knowledge and discuss insights as well as share reading material and conference presentations.

Exercise on Common Client Information: Regardless of which customer or project you are working with, someone else in your organization in another business line is probably working with the same customer. Find out who those people are in your organization. Trade information with them. Share concerns and discuss trends you are hearing from the customer. For example, you might say to a colleague: “I have noticed that you work with Client A. I do as well. They are creating a lot of pressure on my team for being one hundred percent paperless. Are you seeing the same trend? How have you managed them?”

Exercise on Daily Information: Every day, information is discovered, small gains are achieved, and issues surface. At the end of every day, ask yourself, “Who did I forget to tell what to today?” Send a brief e-mail sharing the information; if the person wants more, he or she will ask for it or, better yet, come by to talk with you. Hence, your network, your access to information, and your ability to help your team move forward.

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