We often think of networking as a boring business activity - however every industry has to network! Whether you are a salesperson in your local grocery store or the biggest superstar on the planet, you will no doubt network to advance your career. So what can our favorite singers tell us about networking:
Taylor Swift - Build Strong Connections
Arguably the biggest celebrity in the world right now, Taylor Swift has utilized networking extensively. Swift teaches us to not only view networking relationships as solely professional but rather to view them as real relationships. While networking should be professional - treat everyone like they are your friend and remember that everyone is human! The best business relationships are those that transcend traditional networking roles and become personal. Additionally, Swift massively interacted with her fan base (Swifties) at the start of her career and would spend hours focusing on communicating with them. And that connection has built one of the most loyal and consistent fan bases in pop music history.
Beyoncé - Be Confident
Another HUGE celebrity who has recently shot to legends status. Beyoncé embodies confidence, ownership, and opulence - all of which are crucial to networking. Professionals gravitate towards confident people who can control the conversation. Beyoncé recently stated that building her confidence took a significant amount of time but once it was established, it furthered her career massively and garnered her respect. Therefore, practicing confidence and working on believing in yourself is crucial to effective networking.
Kendrick Lamar- Be Passionate
Kendrick Lamar is more than just a rapper but is "a voice for the people." He is passionate about his beliefs and stands up for himself through his powerful and impactful songwriting. Lamar stated that many people tried to "tone down" his lyrics and get them to be "a little bit less intense." However, he stood strong on what he believed in and now is one of the most successful rappers in history. From him, we can learn to always be passionate and strong about what we believe in while networking and never change ourselves just to fit in with people.
Rihanna - Take Risks
Rihanna's jump from the entertainment to the cosmetic industry was a very expensive risk. But, she researched and networked with several makeup artists in the beauty industry and did not let the fear of failure stop her. She knew how big the rewards could be. In networking, people often stick to a certain niche and are scared to venture out. However, we need to take risks and venture out of our comfort zones to make the most out of networking because it could help us expand our careers. Talk to new people! Venture into different industries!
Dolly Parton- Ask Questions and Be Open To Learn
Dolly Parton doesn't just work from 9 to 5 on making the best country music but also puts in effort to grow. When Parton doesn't understand or agree with something, she doesn't just dismiss the conversation but asks deep questions to properly learn from the other person's perspectives. Asking questions in networking might be difficult, but it is the only way we can learn and grow. Parton famously talked with a music critic who hated her music and didn't just ignore them but listened to the critiques. Asking questions and having difficult conversations is one of the most crucial ways to grow and improve in socialization!
Carrie Underwood - Be Competitive
Carrie Underwood became famous through winning American Idol and competing with several other highly motivated people. While competitiveness often has a negative perception, it is important to be competitive when networking and make sure you stand out from your peers. You have to oftentimes be ruthless and loud when it comes to networking to make sure that people hear and respect you. While teamwork and friendships are important - you are your biggest priority and must "win" the networking competition.
SZA - Don't Overthink
Before the release of her second studio album "SOS," SZA stated that she spent way too much time overthinking the album, and when she just let the music flow out - it came together. The same applies to networking and it surely is difficult for perfectionists. Talking naturally and not second-guessing your words will allow peers to relate to you. It will make you seem more human and allow you to be your most natural self possible. Do not overthink your words or prepare pre-written responses, The best words, sentences, phrases or conversations come when we don't expect it!
Chappell Roan - Be Persistent
This new rising pop star has had a very tumultuous career. She had been releasing music since 2016 with little success and was dropped from her first record label in 2020. It would have been so easy for Roan to give up and do something else, but she persisted and now is growing at an exponential rate. In networking, just because one conversation goes bad, it does not mean you need to leave the event or give up! Just move on to the next conversation and pretend the previous failures didn't happen. Giving up is never the answer, especially when it comes to your career. Keep going and keep talking to people even if networking isn't working right now. Your day will come!
Whitney Houston - Know And Use Your Strengths
Whitney Houston was one of the most talented vocalists of all time. However, many are surprised that she was not a huge songwriter and mainly had writers craft her biggest hits. This is not a negative thing but rather a strong showcase that with talent comes our weaknesses. When networking, it is important to recognize what you are strong in and communicate that to employers. Use those strengths to your advantage in spite of your weaknesses and move the cards towards your strengths. During a conversation, if the employer talks about something you don't excel in, take charge of the discussion and move it to be more geared towards your strengths!
Madonna - Express Yourself and Be Unconventional!
The iconic Madonna broke boundaries in pop by being unconventional and different. She didn't fit into any pre-designed box and authentically stood out from the crowd. In networking, it is easy to blend in and just be another person in a suit. But oftentimes, the unconventional style is what really stands out. It is still important to maintain professionalism, however, being different than the crowd and expressing yourself however you want to, can go quite far! It might seem difficult but people love something different and that still applies to networking!
Written By: Akaash Khurana
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