Networking Assessment for Better Business Networking and Also for Authors
Want to find out how good of a networker you really are in just ten minutes? Take the assessment I created more than two decades ago with an industrial psychologist who worked with me to validate the following assessment. I used this assessment in companies from Accenture to Office Depot to American Express, Dean Foods, Motorola, and Fortune Brands. From banks that included American National, First Chicago, NBD, and Northern Trust to schools that included Loyola, DePaul, Northwestern, The University of Chicago, and Yale University, this Networlding assessment has been helpful in helping business leaders identify not only their networking abilities but also their handicaps. So take a look at where your talents and skill gaps are with regards to networking.
LESSON2 WHAT IS YOUR NETWORLDING IQ?
Some of us naturally practice Networlding, but know that it is something that can be learned – it’s a skill. Each of us is unique, and we’re all somewhere on the Networlding continuum. So how do we know if we’re pursuing relationships and opportunities in a purposeful way?
The self-assessment below will help you find your place on the continuum. It’s based on the beliefs, strategies, and behaviors of those who are already consciously practicing Networlding.
DIRECTIONS: Read each question and rate how often you practice these behaviors. There are no right or wrong answers. You won’t be graded, so answer them honestly and don’t overthink it!
Questions | Never 1 | Seldom 2 | Occasionally 3 | Often 4 | Always 5 | ||
Share your goals with others
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Build/nurture relationships with those who can help you achieve your goals
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Limit relationships with selfish individuals and those that don’t help you realize your goals
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Respect the creative process and are result/outcome focused
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Believe that Networking/Networlding shortens the time to get things done
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Assume that Networking/Networlding is a balanced process of giving and receiving
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Believe Networking/Networlding can provide all needed resources to reach your goals
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When Networking/Networlding you ask for what you want
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When Networking/Networlding you discover others’ interests and needs
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When Networking/Networlding you expect to discover/create new opportunities | |||||
Network/Networld with influential people who can make things happen
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Offer emotional, information and other support to your Network/Networld partners
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Respond quickly to the requests and needs of your Network/Networld partners
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Measure the results of your Networking/Networlding efforts
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Believe it is important to make a difference |
Believe that anything is possible | |||||
Believe you are guided by strong inner beliefs, intent or principles
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Believe you create your own rewards
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Believe you can get anything done through others
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Believe people are your most creative resource
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TOTAL SCORE: _________________________
So What Kind of a Networker Are You?
Phase | Description |
Novice (20-44) | You’re an entry-level networker. You’ve probably established a baseline network of friends, family members, and co-workers. You may participate in professional or community organizations, but typically novices aren’t in leadership roles. You may have started to think about values-based relationships, but haven’t yet begun sharing your values, goals, and beliefs with others. Some reasons people stay in the novice category can include fear of rejection or the belief that you don’t have enough value to offer. Despite misgivings you might have about reaching out to others, start by making your goals, values, and beliefs known.
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Networker (45-64)
| You are a true networker, likely to have expanded beyond your circle of family, friends, and colleagues to include those from industry associations or community organizations. You recognize influential people and make an effort to meet them. You may even have a large directory of contacts. Despite your ability to meet and greet, you are not generating the relationship quality or opportunities you desire. The contacts you’ve made don’t necessarily represent relationships; you may not follow up on a consistent basis, or if you do establish a surface relationship the trust and shared goals have yet to be developed. Learn to focus your efforts on developing relationships that are based on valuable exchanges. You’ll begin to experience the naturally beneficial opportunities that Networlding provides.
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Strategic Networlder (65-84) | You’ve moved well beyond traditional networking and entered the realm of Networlding. You most likely target and qualify those with whom you spend your time, share your intent with those in your circle, grow contacts into meaningful relationships, exchange different types of support, schedule meetings and perform regular follow up, and leverage relationships to develop opportunities for yourself and others. You are instinctively doing the right things. The next step is to broaden your skills into a systematic approach for even greater success.
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Networlding Expert (85-100) | You’re a top-level Networlder. You most likely have circles with broad access to people with varied interests and skills, exchange support on all levels, acquire whatever resources you lack through others, interact with influential individuals, establish mutually beneficial opportunities, and form personal strategic alliances. Refresh, refine, and further extend your Networlding skills and processes to achieve even greater fulfillment. |
Remember that Networlding is a set of steps and skills practiced over time. No matter where you currently are on the continuum, the skills you learn here will help you to improve or refine what you’re currently doing.