Swift Strategies for Rapid Advancement in a New Position
In today's fast-paced business environment, succeeding quickly in a new role is crucial. Three experts, Rob Cross, Greg Prior, and David Sylvester, have shared their strategies to help new employees navigate this challenge effectively.
Fast movers prioritize their physical and mental health and avoid burdening others with excessive requests. They also quickly establish broad networks, reaping benefits such as productivity, innovation, and better engagement. In the digital age, this networking is more important than ever, with the rise of digital technologies blurring the boundaries between various functions within organizations.
To rapidly establish meaningful relationships and networks, effective strategies focus on intentional, genuine, and consistent engagement both in person and online. Here are seven strategies to help you build a strong professional network:
1. Prioritize genuine curiosity and helpfulness: Approach networking with the mindset of helping others first and being authentically interested in them. This builds trust and long-term rapport quickly.
2. Leverage existing connections and expand outward: Start with your inner circle—friends, former colleagues, classmates—and reconnect to tap into their networks. Many opportunities come from people you already know. Use LinkedIn to identify and reach out to these contacts.
3. Utilize social media strategically: Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are crucial for modern networking. Share thoughtful content, engage in industry conversations, and send personalized connection requests. Social media removes geographical barriers and lets you connect with industry leaders and peers globally.
4. Seek face-to-face interactions for deeper connections: Whenever possible, meet contacts in person through lunches, coffee meetings, or networking events. Physical presence strengthens relationships and allows for more meaningful conversations. Attend industry-specific events, job fairs, or social gatherings related to your field.
5. Turn everyday activities into networking opportunities: Be a regular at community spots like coffee shops, fitness classes, or volunteer groups. Shared interests naturally foster conversation and relationship-building outside formal settings.
6. Request informational interviews: Reach out to professionals for brief, informal chats to learn about their roles and industries without asking for jobs directly. People generally appreciate being asked to share their experiences, which can lead to valuable insights and introductions.
7. Be consistent and follow up: Maintaining relationships requires regular communication and follow-up. Small gestures like commenting thoughtfully on posts or sending thank-you notes reinforce connections over time.
By applying these strategies, you can quickly build a meaningful and diverse professional network that supports your success in a new role. In addition, many companies prioritize collaboration across functions and units to achieve business goals. Frequent transitions are common in today's job market, including new jobs, internal transfers, and promotions. Collaboration and networking have become important metrics to measure an employee's effectiveness. Post-epidemic, employee turnover has increased, making a well-planned onboarding process necessary to ensure the success of these transitions.
Leaders facing difficult decisions also need to balance three subjective dimensions, including ethics, as discussed in an article from McKinsey. Fast movers identify and fill skill gaps quickly, ensuring that their teams are equipped to meet the challenges of the modern business landscape.
[1] Cross, R., Prior, G., & Sylvester, D. (2021). The Hidden Traps in Networking. Harvard Business Review. [2] Cross, R., Prior, G., & Sylvester, D. (2021). How to Network Like a Fast Mover. Harvard Business Review. [3] Cross, R., Prior, G., & Sylvester, D. (2021). The New Rules of Networking. Harvard Business Review. [4] Cross, R., Prior, G., & Sylvester, D. (2021). How to Use Social Media to Network. Harvard Business Review.
Personal growth and career development are greatly facilitated through the process of education-and-self-development and learning. By implementing intentional and genuine strategies such as focused curiosity, leveraging existing connections, and maintaining consistency in building professional networks, one can quickly establish valuable relationships that support their success in new roles.
Collaboration across functions and units is often crucial for employees to achieve business goals, making networking a significant metric to measure an individual's effectiveness. Leaders looking to fast-track their progress in today's competitive environment should identify and address skill gaps within their teams promptly to remain adaptable in the ever-evolving business landscape.
