82. Eight people you need in your professional network to unlock your full potential with Prina Shah

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I help you to develop your leaving your team. And I help you to optimize your organizational culture. I'm here to help you find ways to change your work data. Why? Because we spend more time in our waiting data at work than we do with our loved ones. It has to be a good place to be. So in this podcast, you can expect a mix of interviews with amazing thought leaders and then some solo episodes from myself as well. Get ready.

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Hello and welcome to this solo episode of the Ways to Change the Workplace podcast with your host, me, Prina Shah. And today I want to talk to you about the eight people that you need in your professional network to help you to unlock your full potential. Now remember the room wasn't built in a day, and your success certainly isn't going to be as an overnight result of your solo endeavors. It takes a village and all that. So using that concept, I want to talk to you today about further understanding and working on your professional brand and your professional community. Personally, I don't think people look at themselves enough in this respect. So strap in and let's check out what I'm going to talk about. My first question is: who is on your professional board? And that's you as an individual. Who has a table at the seat on the board for you? You see, in today's market, having a strong dynamic and a diverse network to draw on is pivotal to scaling your professional success. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of your social capital. Whether you are a solopreneur, an executive, a CEO, or at any level in the hierarchy of the workplace. Drawing on divergent relationships that nurture new ways of thinking by foregrounding your viewpoints, their lived experiences, and various resources that they share could be a game changer that you need to level up and unlock your full career potential. Identifying and connecting with these people is not only going to help you to build an expansive network, but it's going to help you to challenge the unconscious parameters of your own ways of thinking. It's going to help you to expand your echo chamber. So, as a result of these collaborative networks, I've seen many clients, peers, and myself attract more frequent and more valuable and rewarding personal and professional opportunities. It's all about lifelong learning and being the best that you can be, right? If you apply that to a workplace, it's going to be brilliant. So there are eight people, I believe, that add the most value to your network. And in turn, they're going to help you to scale your full potential as a wonderful professional that you are, whether you're a CEO, whether you're an entrepreneur, or whether you're a professional. So who are these eight people? Number one begins with the cheerleader. This person keeps you energized and motivated. They have a positive outlook on life and always see the glass half full. You go to them when you need inspiration and encouragement. Who is your cheerleader? Number two is the checker. This person is inquisitive and does not take anything at face value. They will probe and ask you clear, insightful, and sometimes uncomfortable questions. They force you to think beyond the superficial level. Who is your checker? Number three is the truth teller. This person says it like it is, but with compassion. Because they have your best interests at heart, but they don't beat around the bush. They care about you and want to make sure that you do not get in your own way with your own blind spots or your own bullshit or your own excuses. So who is the truth teller in your professional life? Number four is the coach. This person provides strategies to help you show up as a self-actualized version of yourself. They provide the tools and the ideas to help you navigate through situations and always push for the best outcome. Who is your coach? Now often coaching is seen as a wonderful developmental opportunity. If you don't have a coach, get one. I highly recommend it. I always have a coach. Number five is the counselor. This person makes us feel heard and supported. Validated, I guess. Their role is to hear you and to guide you to find your own solutions and perspectives. Who is your counselor from a work perspective? I ask you. Number six is the accountability body. This person holds you accountable and does not accept excuses. They will stay on your back until you beat your personal best. They do not accept 50% effort. They want you to give it all. I have an accountability body, Thea, thank you. And Thea keeps me on the straight and narrow. I have many interests, and I'm very interested in many, many shiny objects. And I catch up with Thea once a month on Zoom, and we will talk about the things that I really need to focus on and the things that she really needs to focus on, and we hold each other accountable. So who is your accountability buddy? The straight shooter. Number seven is the pusher. This person pushes you out of your comfort zone. While the clarifier that I talked about earlier asks uncomfortable questions, the pusher is the person that pushes you into uncomfortable situations for your personal growth. They make us face our fears. Who is the pusher in your professional life? And last but not least is the networker. This is the person who has a massive tribe. They walk into a room of strangers and walk out with allies. They have a vast network of people and they can provide you with connections and resources. So who is the networker in your life, in your professional life? I have talked about many, many kinds of people that you need in your professional life. So to recap, you need a cheerleader, you need a checker, you need a truth teller, you need a coach, whether it be professional, formal, or informal. I always go for formal because I then am truly accountable and it works for me. What works for you? Who is your professional work counsellor? Who is your accountability buddy? Who is the person that pushes you, the pusher for your professional career? And who is the networker in your life that opens doors and potentially opportunities? Now remember, when we're talking about relationships, it can't just be one way. I always talk about the concept of 50-50. And you need to consider, even with these eight relationships and these eight kinds of people that you have in your life, you need to ensure that you not only deposit into the relationship bank account, you withdraw as well. Yes, you withdraw in a genuine manner, but you have to give back also. So it's not all about taking, it's also about giving. Remember that. I want you to go forth and prosper and listen to this episode again. Feel free to take notes if you want to. Seriously consider who the eight people in your life are that you need to help you to succeed professionally. Check out the show notes, have a read of them. I will outline the eight people that you need and go forth and prosper. I'll see you in the next episode. If you like this episode, check out the show notes and sign up for my newsletter. That will help your workplace to be less shitty. It's full of novel ideas, good food for thought. And if you like this episode, pass it on to at least two people who will benefit. Add your good deed done for the day. Also, remember to subscribe to the Way to Change Your Workplace Podcast via your podcast provider. And I will see you in the next episode.