How to Grow Your Network as an Executive

Love or loathe it, networking is one of the most impactful activities tech leaders can do. A few other activities pave the way for growth opportunities, such as building knowledge and establishing fruitful relationships like networking. Many successful tech leaders set aside time for networking - even if they don't love it - because of its power to connect them with potential clients and suppliers and discover emerging tech. It's also great for meeting potential new talent for your team and landing your next leadership role.

But networking for tech leaders is a complicated beast. As a leader, your challenge may lie in finding the time to attend events within your already packed schedule. Or perhaps, you identify as an introvert or are neurodivergent, making the thought of socialising with new people feel overwhelming or unappealing. Sometimes, you just might not be up for mingling with strangers over bad canapes. 

But effective networking doesn't have to mean forcing yourself into uncomfortable situations. By being strategic about it, you can partake in activities that suit your personality and align with your personal and business goals without the awkwardness. As NZ tech recruiters are actively involved in industry events, we've got some tips for maximising your networking ROI.

Create a Networking Game Plan

Contrary to what some people might believe, networking for executives isn't speed dating. Before you start networking, it helps to define what you want to achieve through it, whether it's building relationships in a specific industry, finding a mentor, or exploring new business opportunities. A game plan means you'll approach every conversation with purpose.

Setting goals and follow-ups for your networking activities will keep you focused and accountable. Without specific goals, it's easy to attend events aimlessly or spend time engaging with people who aren't aligned with your professional aspirations. 

For instance, if your goal is to connect with five potential collaborators by the end of the quarter, you have a clear target to work toward and a way to evaluate your success. When you set these benchmarks, it encourages you to be proactive, follow up with contacts - and make the most of your precious time. 

Attend a Variety of Events

Many people hear 'networking' and think of multi-day conferences filled with salespeople and awkward small talk. However, the great thing about the NZ tech industry is the variety of communities you can join to find like-minded people in your niche at events, both large and small. 

Joining smaller communities and attending large conferences each have their advantages. With small and regular meetups, you can focus on building genuine relationships with a few key individuals. On the other hand, large conferences offer you exposure to more people, industries and ideas. 

Combining both approaches can give you the best of both worlds: the close-knit relationships and support of smaller communities you can build over time, as well as the expanded reach and broader exposure that larger events provide.

Look for Thought Leadership Opportunities

As a tech leader, you will have a bank of knowledge and experience that is valuable wisdom for other people in your domain - why not share it? If you're comfortable with public speaking, offering your time as a guest speaker at industry events can supercharge your networking efforts.

At the very least, getting a seat on a panel discussion or as a guest speaker can help you gain a healthy amount of new LinkedIn connections and elevate your organisation's employer brand. 

Research meetups and conferences covering your areas of expertise and look at the themes and presentations they feature - perhaps there is a topic or point of view you could contribute. You could then craft a pitch for the organisers, highlighting why your presentation or participation on a panel would offer valuable insights and spark thoughtful discussion.

Mindset and Perseverance Are Key

Networking for executives isn't of much use as a one-off activity - you have to keep at it. According to Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center researchers, having a persistent approach to networking can boost your networking prospects by 51.5%. 

They also found that people with a promotion focus (striving for positive outcomes) are 17% more likely to network successfully compared to those who have a prevention focus (avoiding mistakes and rejection). 

In short, it's not just about showing up - it's about showing up with the right attitude and maintaining consistency. Networking gets easier the more you do it; as you gain confidence and connections along the way, it can even become enjoyable. 

Final Thoughts

Networking for tech leaders is an important practice for both personal and leadership development. Instead of attending the odd networking event and hoping for the best, it's best to go in knowing who you want to meet and what you want to gain from the experience. 

The key is to be persistent, focus on building genuine relationships and trust that the effort will pay off in time. Networking is a marathon, not a sprint, and with the right mindset, it can open doors you never thought possible.

Expand Your Network with NZ Tech Recruiters

Here at Digital Garage, we are proud to support the local tech space at a range of meetups, conferences and other events. We can support you in sourcing developers, product and data specialists and more from our broad network of talent. Please feel free to get in touch with us for help with building your team or finding new career opportunities.