Presented by: Regina Barr, MBA, MA

Transcription

1 Presented by: Regina Barr, MBA, MA

2 Building Social Capital Page 2 WELCOME On behalf of the Twin Cities Human Resource Association (TCHRA), welcome to today s workshop, Fast Forward Your Career by Building Social Capital! The most influential leaders are well connected. They know where to go for information, both inside and outside their organization, and they are willing to share information. More importantly, they get things done! Yet no man or woman is an island unto themselves. So, how do they do it? By understanding, building and leveraging their social capital. Today s program will help equip you with 1) an understanding of what social capital is and how it applies to your career, 2) the five mistakes you don t want to make, and 3) tips and techniques help you build and leverage your social capital to enhance your organizational influence. ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER Regina Barr is a former financial marketing executive, Founder and CEO of Red Ladder, Inc. and Founder of the Women at the Top Network. She brings over two decades of corporate experience to her consulting, coaching and speaking practice. In addition, Regina is the author and spokesperson for the Leadership Gap Study, which focused on key competencies necessary for developing the next wave of leaders for community banks, and an annual Women at the Top Study. Regina helps men and women scale the barriers both internal and external that prevent them from achieving the career success they deserve. A nationally recognized authority on leadership, Regina is frequently quoted in local and national publications. She was a regular contributor for TFW magazine, and her leadership column was read in more than six countries. Regina currently publishes a monthly Women at the Top Report, and her blog, Women at the Top, was featured as one of 25 career and business women blogs to read by BlogHer. (Access her blog at In addition, Regina s work appears in several other magazines and she is frequently quoted in local and national media. Honored twice as a Top Woman in Finance, Regina is the proud recipient of the 2010 Finance & Commerce Top Women in Finance Circle of Excellence Award and the 2009 Financial Women International Partner in Success Award. She is also a former Minneapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal 40 Under Forty honoree. An avid believer in giving back, Regina has served on the board of the Breast Cancer Awareness Assocation for over a decade. She also actively supports these local non-profit organizations: Women Achieving New Direction (mentor/ volunteer), Menttium 100 (mentor to high potential women) and Hope Chest for Breast Cancer. In addition, Regina mentors college students at her alma mater in New York, Adelphi University. She is also a member of the National Association of Female Executives, National Speakers Association, Society of Human Resource Management, and a lifetime member of Financial Women International.

3 Building Social Capital Page 3 I) What is Social Capital? DEFINITION: Social Capital is II) Benefits of Social Capital III) GROUP EXERCISE: Social Capital Observation Success Factors Think about someone that you view as being both personally and professionally successful. As it relates to Social Capital, what are the keys to their success? Key factors for success: Success is social. It depends on our relationships with others. Wayne E. Baker

4 Building Social Capital Page 4 IV) INDIVIDUAL EXERCISE: Personal Assessment how do you rate? How robust is your Social Capital? That depends on Size, Demographics and Focus. SIZE: First, thinking about your current position, jot down the names of five people that you have interacted the most with over the past three to six months What does your Network look like? Find out by plotting a Sociogram. Put your name in the center oval. Put the names of your network in the other ovals. (Your Name) Now look at the people in your network. If the people in your network know each other, draw lines to each of them. More connections amongst your network indicates a closed group. Fewer connections indicates an open network extending out into the world. Which is most preferable? (Circle One) OPEN or CLOSED

5 Building Social Capital Page 5 COMPOSITION: This includes demographics age, education, gender, and race or ethnicity. In general, diversity is more important than size of a network. We don t have time for this during our program as this can be time consuming. FOCUS: This includes how concentrated your networks are in certain areas, activities and interests. Work versus family, global versus domestic, and outside affiliation. With those individuals you listed on page 4 in mind, answer the following questions. For each of the following statements, select the answer that best describes your current network listed above. 1. When I think about my network and the people I most closely associate with, I have discussed an important matter during the past six month with at least One of them Two to Four of them All of Them 2. When I think about the people I communicate with to accomplish my work, those individuals that have been implemental in helping me complete my work is 3. If I were launching a new project or initiative, those individuals that would be influential in helping me get the project approved or helping me obtain the resources I need is at least 4. When it comes my social activities (meeting with people outside of work, visiting them at their homes, going to social events, getting together for meals, etc.), those individuals that were involved include For each of the following statements, select the answer that best describes your affiliations. 5. I m actively involved in a professional association. Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree 6. I m actively involved in a political party. 7. I m actively involved in a church or religious organization. 8. I m actively involved in a charitable or philanthropic organization. 9. I m actively involved in a sports club or recreation organization. 10. I m actively involved in an art, music, or cultural organization. 11. I m actively involved in an alumni or school related group. 12. I m involved in a self-help or personal development group. TOTAL (add the number of checkmarks in each column) Source: Achieving Success Through Social Capital: Tapping Hidden Resources in Your Personal and Business Networks, Wayne E. Baker. Note: questions were modified and interpreted to fit the needs of this program. The scoring key was developed as a tool and is not found in Baker s book. Scoring Key Multiply the number in each column by the following to obtain your points: Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 ( X 5) + ( X 4) + ( X 3) = YOUR SCORE + + = Sum your total points: 49 or higher Your Social Capital is strong and you make effective use of it You are off to a good start, but you could be more effective if you invested time in building and leveraging your Social Capital. 36 or below You have room for significant improvement in building and leveraging your Social Capital. My Score:

6 Building Social Capital Page 6 V) Five Mistakes to Avoid 1) Thinking you can 2) Failing to develop a the source of your Social Capital until you. 3) Putting all of your eggs in the S M basket. 4) Failing to your network and build relationships. 5) Not understanding the importance of a philosophy of when it comes to building relationships. It takes teamwork to make the dream work. John C. Maxwell VI) EXERCISE: Small Group Activity Building Social Capital Work in groups of 4 (if possible) by turning around and working with 3 other people that are closest to you. Write down three areas you feel strong in and where you might help others Write down one area or thing you could uses some help or support in OR would like connections, resources or information. 1.

7 Building Social Capital Page 7 Quickly go around your group and say, Hi! I m <Insert Your Name>. Three strengths I bring to the table where I met be of help to others include <list>. One area where I could use your support is <list>. Team members that are able to assist with you should provide a business card or request a business card to follow-up and provide support. Do NOT get into a discussion now as there isn t enough time. NOTES: VII) Tips to Build and Leverage Your Social Capital 1. Build open networks by LEVERAGING pre-existing programs, organizations and structures. 2. Build open networks by CREATING programs, organizations and structures. Getting Started 1. Create a 30 x 12 grid. 2. Schedule time (5 15 minutes) to nurture your network daily. (See more tips on p. 8.) If you want to go north, head south. Zen saying VIII) Wrap/ Close One key take-away from today s program on Social Capital is Thank you for participating in Fast Forward Your Career by Building Social Capital!

8 Building Social Capital Page 8 Some things to remember. 1. Social capital is the accumulation of resources that we develop through our personal and professional networks. 2. The most important career-building strategy for men and women according to BOTH men and women is networking. 3. Networking without face-to-face you miss body language and tone of voice both of which are crucial to building rapport and trust. 4. Be careful not to hide behind technology at in-person events as it can put up walls and create unnecessary barriers, i.e. be present when you re present. 5. Make time very week to connect in some way with your network(s) or peer group(s). 6. Use social networks as an amplifier or door-opener to extend your network but never as a replacement for face-to-face. 7. Take an integrated approach to communication and use , text, phone, social media sites and inperson where and when it makes the most sense to enhance and build relationships. 8. When networking in-person, make a good impression by looking your best, having an intention (goal) and being sincere. 9. Overcome fear of rejection when networking by focusing on what you want, not what you don t want. 10. Get away from the transactional mode of thinking about networking and focus instead on the big picture of connecting, building trust and how that leads to bigger and better opportunities. 11. LinkedIn is the most prevalent and fastest growing professional site which is why it s important to maintain a well-groomed, highly optimized profile. 12. Your profile on LinkedIn is indexed by Google. (Google yourself and see what comes up!) 13. Avoid long elevator pitches. Develop bumper-sticker versions instead short, benefit focused statements that are easy to remember. 14. There are 200 million-plus people on LinkedIn. Every person on LinkedIn is a potential door opener. Don t be afraid to crack open the door when you get a request to connect from a stranger. The more doors open around you and your network, the greater your visibility and access to opportunities. 15. If you are job hunting and someone asks, What do you do? Be prepared to succinctly tell them what you seek and in a way that they go through their mental rolodex quickly to help you make connections that will help you in your job search, i.e. be laser-focused. 16. When it comes to self-promotion, relax and think of it as way to share information that will help you deepen relationships and make friends. 17. Invest in building relationships. Focus on how you can help and be of mutual benefit. 18. When you don t know what to say when networking, simply extend your hand and introduce yourself. 19. When networking, focus on positively lifting others up and being helpful. 20. Practice a philosophy of abundance: give first, then receive.

9 Building Social Capital Page 9 Resources: Achieving Success Through Social Capital: Tapping Hidden Resources in Your Personal and Business Networks, Wayne E. Baker Networking Style - assessment & audio. regina.barr@redladder.com for a FREE copy! Building Social Capital through Networking & Social Media transcript & audio. regina.barr@redladder.com for a FREE copy! Action Items: Sign up for my Women at the Top Blog and receive a copy of my FREE report, 25 Ways to Get Noticed without Bragging: Register for one of my upcoming programs: Upcoming Teleseminars with Regina Barr Dial-Up Your Leadership TM with these Women at the Top programs and events. May 22 / Thursday at 12 noon CT Author Interview / Diane Windingland (FR*EE) Diane Windingland joins us to talk about her book, 12 Ways to Be a Confident Speaker. Diane will discuss how your mindset impacts your confidence and provides you with practical steps you can take to look and feel more confident when speaking, even if you have a speech tomorrow! June 19/ Thursday at 12 noon CT Author Interview / Margaret Smith (FR*EE) Margaret Smith knows what it means to be busy. That s why she wrote, The Ten Minute Leadership Challenge. Each chapter takes only ten minutes to read including key information about each attribute along with tips on how to incorporate them into your day. During our call, Margaret will discuss key leadership attributes critical for you to reach your full potential. July/ August: Summer Break programs will resume in September. Visit for other programs that may be of interest or contact me at regina.barr@redladder.com or