Developing Your Own

'Good Old Girl' Network

A 'good old girls' network, just like the 'good old boys' network, is build on in depth, long term relationships. Good old boys get to know each other at lunch, on the golf course, mentoring one an other, sharing similar values and referring all kinds of things to each other. The steps below will help you develop your own powerful network.

1. Create or join a women's group that reflects your values and interests, and provides exposure to a variety of related fields.
   
   
2. Go to lunch with at least one person from your group every week. Get to really know that person over time. Be ready to mentor or support that person in any way you can. Teach or learn a skill from her, ask her to visit other groups you belong to, share your visions and dreams with each other. Laugh and have fun.
   
   
3. Publicly acknowledge the support you receive from the members of your group.
   
   
4. Ask for information and support regarding anything in your life from the group. There is probably someone there who can help.
   
   
5. Look for opportunities to connect members with other members and outside source as often as possible. What goes around comes around, so give, give, give.
   
   
6. Integrity is your top priority. Keep confidences, don't gossip, give quality and value in all you do, keep your word and always make a fair deal (fair to you as well as the other person).
   
   
7. Under commit and over deliver always on everything.
   
   
8. Affiliate with and learn from other top professionals. Find the absolute top woman in your field or affiliated field. Write, email, phone or take her to lunch and find out how she got to the top. Ask if she would coach or mentor you. If not find someone else who will and use her as a role model.
   
   
9. Give up thinking you have to know it all. You Can't! Collaborate.
   
   
10. Create a focused plan to up grade your skills, the people and clients with whom you work.
    
    
11. Honor your heart, your wisdom, your gifts and yourself through your work and your life. We need great models for the young women coming behind us.
    
    
12. Get a coach/champion/mentor. You deserve the objective and unbiased support of someone who knows you and believes in you regardless of what happens.