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How is Your Networking?
January 9, 2008
Children more than ever, need opportunities to be in their bodies in the world...It’s this engagement between limbs of the body and bones of the earth where true balance and centeredness emerge.
-David Sobel
-David Sobel
Start with a positive attitude. Think of networking as a way to ensure stability in your career in an uncertain era. Make it part of your life �" not just an add-on when you have the time.
Don't try to fake it. To connect in a genuine way, you need to be truly interested in other people. If you're talking to someone, don't scan the room for the next person to approach. And don't make a request before you have forged a connection with someone.
Diversify your network. Look for places and events to meet people who are outside your immediate profession, but in an area that interests you. Seek out those who have skills you do not have now, but would like to acquire.
Challenge yourself. You don't have to be an extrovert to network. But if you are shy, this means you will have to venture out of your comfort zone. Try going to a business or social function by yourself. You'll have more incentive to meet new people.
Nurture your network. Stay in touch with people you have just met. Join colleagues for lunch. Don't abuse e-mail by sending people frivolous messages. Acknowledge awards and promotions. And, if you promised to send someone something, do it promptly. Clip articles of interest and send them along with a note or card.
Our Manager's Tool Kit is now on sale on our web site. Included in the kit are...
• The Art of Leadership: Managing Early Childhood Organizations
• Managing Money: A Center Director’s Guidebook
• Stick Your Neck Out �" A Street-Smart Guide to Creating Change in Your Community and Beyond
• 250 Management Success Stories from Child Care Directors
• Exchange Article CD Collection #9: Taking Stock �" Evaluation Tools for Program, Teacher, and Director
• Exchange Article CD Collection #5: Supervising Staff
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ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
A New Career Helping Young Children Develop and Learn
Learn how to give a young child the very best foundation possible �" with a Bachelor of Arts Early Childhood Development at National University.
Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 CommentsUnited States
Great article. Your link to the web site to see the entire article did not work. You said to go to www.workandfamily.com
Is there a different address?
Thanks, Angie
Council
Washington, DC, United States
Please correct the link to Work & Family Life. This newsletter serves such a helpful purpose with careful selection of useful information for families in the workplace and presents the information in succient and readable fashion. The link in the article takes you to a domain for sale. The correct link is "workandfamilylife.com"
DARE to AFFIRM
Pitman, NJ, United States
Networking is about RELATIONSHIP BUILDING and the guidelines presented today are valuable to all of us as compassionate professionals.
Again the key term is AUTHENTICITY and the relationships need to be respectful, responsive, and reciprocal. To me, this is a PARALLEL PROCESS. As we guide others in building relationships with children and families, so we need to explore the same options for ourselves.
Colin Gibbs shared that "being a teacher is about building authentic connections with oneself ...as a person". Being an effective networker and thus an effective communicator is also about knowing knowing your own strengths and respecting your own individuality. This is never easy. It takes time to be still and reflect...it takes courage to be the leader one is meant to be...when the situation if "right". It takes being positive, optimistic and GENUINE. It takes "catching yourself doing something right" and affirming yourself - then practicing the same skills in your everyday relationships with those in your world. DARE to AFFIRM. The more you do it, the easier it gets and the more the world benefits. http://daretoaffirm.blogspot.com
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