How to Build Your Network in a Virtual Environment

Jun 30, 2020

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Currently, due to the global pandemic, most of us are working from home with minimal contact with the outside world because all gatherings and daily social activities have been put on hold, to keep us safe. As a result, numerous natural networking events have evaporated.

So how do we cultivate and manage our relationships in such unusual circumstances? How can we build our dream network, even in times of social isolation?

My guest, Tania, believes that we can still connect in a pure and authentic way and today she’s going to tell us exactly how to do this. We discuss the power of human connection and the value of building and maintaining strategic relationships in the midst of the pandemic. She gives us practical advice on how to build a community of support and surround ourselves with mentors and people that can help us reach the success we’re aiming for.

Tania DeSa is the CEO of Desa Global Leadership – an international leadership training firm, whose mission is to inspire professionals to find voice and visibility in corporate boardrooms, so they feel more engaged and get promoted at work. As a leadership trainer, Tania draws from intercultural experiences of traveling to over 80 countries and living, studying, and working in Australia, Japan, Hungary, Spain, China, and Switzerland. She is a professionally trained coach and holds an International MBA from ESADE Business School in Spain, and Peking University in China.

Tania believes that we all have something of value to give and once we move past the fears and biases that hold us back, we can easily connect with other people and widen our network. Listen to Episode 11 of Roar, to find out actionable takeaways on how to take advantage of this virtual world that we’re just starting to discover.

Some questions I ask:

Can you share a bit about your background – where you’re from and who were some of your biggest influences growing up? (04:54)
What beliefs and fears hold us back from reaching out to strangers? (15:48)
How do we begin to move in the direction of building a very nurturing environment and community of support? (18:52)
How can we keep the momentum after networking and really be able to transition some of the folks in our network to mentors and sponsors, not just in our professional lives, but even in our personal lives? (24:24)
How can we leverage mentorship as a competitive advantage? (28:46)
What advice do you have for us as leaders on how to show up and be more visible in this virtual environment that we're facing right now? (29:42)

In this episode, you will learn:

How stepping outside of your comfort zone is the catalyst to forming meaningful connections. (06:54)
The pros and cons of living in this new virtual world. (09:37)
The myths around networking & how we can truly take building relationships to the next level. (12:21)
The importance of having cheerleaders and our personal board of directors in our lives. (21:46)
The power of realizing that not everyone is going to like you & how you can use that to your own advantage. (22:34)
The program Tania and her team developed that certifies mentors, so that managers can build leadership equity and measure success along the way. (27:50)
An exercise that will help you pinpoint what makes you unique. (31:32)

Connect with Tania:

Resources mentioned:

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