YOUR NETWORK IS MORE THAN WHO YOU KNOW

Networking is a buzzword in strength and conditioning.

You run through the checklist of networking:

Go to conferences. Meet people. Shake hands. Exchange contact information.

And yes, meeting people matters. But simply knowing someone doesn't make them part of your network.

The more important question is:

How do they know you?

A CONTACT ISN'T ALWAYS A CONNECTION

You can have someone's phone number.  You could’ve met them at a conference.  You might follow each other on social media, or you may have even worked in the same department.

That makes them a contact. It doesn't necessarily mean they are in your corner.

There is a big difference between someone recognizing your name and someone being willing to put their name behind yours.

That's where networking becomes more than who you know.

HOW DO PEOPLE KNOW YOU?

Think about the people within your professional network.

If your name came up in a conversation when you weren't in the room, what would they say?

Maybe they know you as someone who:

o   Shows up prepared

o   Follows through

o   Pays attention to details

o   Asks good questions

o   Works hard

o   Treats people well

o   Handles difficult situations professionally

Or maybe their experience has been different.

o   You're consistently late

o   You need to be reminded about small details

o   You communicate poorly

o   You're unreliable

o   You act differently depending on who is in the room

You may still "know" that person.  But would they be willing to vouch for you?  Probably not.

And that's an important distinction.

YOUR REPUTATION IS PART OF YOUR NETWORK

Networking doesn't only happen when you're intentionally trying to network.  It's happening every day.

Networking can be:

o   Your work

o   How you treat people

o   Your level of preparation

o   Your response to feedback

o   How you behave when no one “important” is watching

Every interaction gives someone information about who you are as a professional and over time, those experiences become your reputation.

When an opportunity comes up, that reputation often enters the room before you do.

Someone may get a call asking:

"What do you know about this coach?"

At that point, the fact that you know each other isn't particularly important; but how they know you is.

o   Would they recommend you?

o   Would they trust you with their athletes?

o   Would they want you to work alongside their staff?

o   Would they feel comfortable attaching their reputation to yours?

That's when you find out the difference between having contacts and having a network.

DON'T MAKE IT TRANSACTIONAL

This doesn't mean every professional relationship should be built around getting a recommendation.

That's the opposite of the intention behind networking.

Some of the best relationships I've developed within this field started because I was genuinely interested in learning from someone.

Not because I needed a job.  Not because I wanted an introduction.  Not because I had already decided what that person could do for my career.

I simply wanted to learn.

Ask coaches about their experiences.  Ask why they made certain career decisions.  Ask how they solved problems within their departments.  Ask how their philosophy has changed.

And then listen.

Relationships become much easier to build when you're interested in the person rather than the opportunity they might provide.

DON'T ONLY NETWORK "UP"

Networking also doesn't mean finding the most accomplished person in the room and introducing yourself.

Build relationships with people slightly ahead of you in their careers as well as people slightly behind you.

The person ahead of you will remember the struggles you’re currently facing and may be able to provide insight into how to successfully navigate them.

And the person behind you is someone you can help mentor.  Answer their questions, share your experiences and be the bridge to an introduction for them.

There is value in both directions.

Don’t forget to network with your peers too.  The intern working with you might become a Director one day; the graduate assistant might transition into professional sports like you’ve always dreamed of doing.

Your network shouldn't look like a ladder where you're constantly trying to meet the next person above you.  It should expand in every direction.

YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER TOO

Young coaches sometimes believe they don't have enough experience to provide value to a professional relationship.  You do.

You can:

o   Share information

o   Connect people

o   Support someone’s work

o   Ask thoughtful questions

o   Follow up when someone helps you

o   Be dependable when someone needs something

You don't need the same resume as someone to build a relationship with them.

Networking should never be solely about asking:

"What can this person do for me?"

Strong professional relationships go both ways.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Our field is smaller than it feels sometimes.

People talk.  Coaches ask other coaches about potential hires.  Directors make phone calls to people not listed on your references.  Recommendations happen behind closed doors.

And when your name comes up, you usually aren't there to explain yourself.

Your reputation has to speak for you.

That's why your network is more than a list of people you've met.

It's the collection of relationships you've built, and the experiences people have had with you along the way.

A SIMPLE STARTING POINT

Instead of asking:

"Who do I know?"

Ask:

"How do they know me?"

What will someone say about:

o   Your professionalism

o   Your reliability

o   Your attention to detail

o   Your ability to coach

o   Your character

Because knowing someone doesn't automatically put them in your corner.  A contact knows your name.  A strong network knows what you stand for and is willing to vouch for it.

Your network is more than who you know.

It's how they know you.

-Coach Metz

A strong professional network isn't measured by the number of contacts you've collected. It's built through the reputation, relationships, and trust you've earned over time. Who you know may create an introduction, but how people know you can determine what happens next.

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