Networks and Leadership Development - Essay Example

Introduction According to Grayson (2007) the concept of networking involves the process of sharing and exchanging of information between different entities or people with an aim of achieving the same objectives. Therefore, networking calls for regular and constant communications links between the concerned groups or people. Studies have revealed that networking enables individuals to maximize on their potential by gaining support from others through discussions and feedback. However, it is important to note that networks are formed for a number of reasons, depending on the purpose of the participants. As a result it is important for individuals to have a clear perspective of their network structure in terms of the environment and the elements of the networking entities (Liebler and Ferri, 2004). In an organization, the workforce engages in personal networking with an aim of tapping new opportunities that will enable one to get a promotion or an advance. However the management of an organization mainly focuses on strategic networking inside and outside the organization that will present new opportunities for the company (Bartol and Zhang, 2007). According to Ibarra & Hunter (2007) networking is an essential tool for the growth and development of an organization since it challenges employees to maximize on the opportunities that will enable a company to achieve its objectives. It is evident that networking is an important tool in nurturing an individual and for the success of an organization. This essay shall evaluate the concept of networking in an organizational setting. This will be achieved by discussing the role of networking in leadership development and its advantages. Further, the essay will discuss social media as a tool in enhancing networking between people and organizations. As part of the concluding remarks, the essay will summarise the key points in the discussion. According to Engel (1993) every aspect of networking is characterized by four activities namely; learning together through the sharing of information, advocacy and management. Through the learning aspect of networking, individuals take part in working as a team in training and the analysis of information gathered. Advocacy and management on the other hand, works at equipping an individual with decision making skills and policy making. All these aspects of networking require individuals to participate in discussion forums that allow them to exchange, evaluate and absorb skills in tackling common organizational issues (Engel, 1993) According to Church (2003) organizations have started recognizing the importance of networking in the management of business activities by implementing programs that sustain effective networking within the organization. For instance, in most organizations, leaders are encouraged to create leadership networks with the human resource and external networks with other organizations. Grayson (2007) affirms that leadership networks, have been created as a means to ensure that the management of a given organization is able to respond to internal and external changes that may impact an organization. This is due to the fact that networking introduces new resources that leaders can capitalize on to improve productivity. Nonetheless, networking facilitates leadership growth by presenting learning opportunities for leaders through forming alliances and provide solutions for any possible problems (Bartol and Zhang, 2007). According to Wesphal et al. (1997) through organizational leadership networks, the transmission of new knowledge, networking nurtures Top Quality Management. Leadership networking emphasizes on the importance of strong and effective management skills by educating potential leaders on the importance of policy making and implementation. Church et al. (2003) argues that networking acts as a catalyst in fostering effective relationships between leaders and their counterparts thus empowers leaders with the ability to have an individual and collective influence. The connections brought about between leaders and their acquaintances informs an individual about the strengths and weaknesses of different types of networks. As a result an individual is aware of how networking structures work and the varying changes encountered within these networks. According to Grayson (2007) having a clear understanding of the process of networking, plays a critical role in developing leadership skills and knowledge. This is because this process equips a potential leader with the skills needed in enacting cultural and organizational change and fosters team work among individuals. According to Church et al. (2000) networking creates interaction links between individuals with different perspective on international and local issues thus educating a person on the different ways in which the world operates. Networking presents a global yet a volatile environments that challenges the thinking mechanisms of an individual. Church et al. (2003) argues that in a highly globalized environment, networking has provided a platform that enables individuals to exchange ideas despite the limitations created by distance, occupation, purpose and organizations. These interactions have brought about an interdependence amongst people that allows them to work together as a team to facilitate their success. Nonetheless, this kind of networking influences leadership development by challenging individuals to engage in formal and informal structures that support individual and collective success within an organization. Durland & Fredericks (2005) affirm that to maintain a strong networking platform between individuals from different locations, organizations or occupations, people have adopted the use of social media as the connecting link. Social media presents a group of theoretical tools which enable individuals to sustain relationships with strangers who share the same goals. This way these people are able to understand the form of network structure they are building, its importance to them and the purpose of this specific network. According to Constantinides and Fountain (2008) social media presents individuals with an opportunity to interact with others who share the same interests, ideologies and also have the same objectives. In leadership development, social media plays a key role in assisting individuals to identify external opportunities that they can maximize on to enable them succeed. For instance in advertising, product managers are able to learn the market trends, understand consumer needs and wants and use this information in assisting the company to meet the needs of the market. Social media through networking, enable potential leaders to access important information which assist an individual to become innovative since they are able to synthesize others perspectives, ideas and networks (Burt, 2004). As a result leaders are able to have a better understanding of the social structure that may affect their success in and outside an organization. Through social media an individual to have different perspective on the networks within and outside their organization. This is because through the interaction and connections created between people outside ones organization, a person is able to evaluate the changes in the network groups, identify opportunities and use them to their advantage (Grayson, 2007). According to Brown (2005) through social medial individuals learn and adopt leadership and management skills from other actors with different characteristics relevant to the leadership role of a person. For instance, some of the discussions conducted online present issues that have affected people in different locations and occupation. Therefore, a potential leader is likely to learn through participating in these interactive forums and gain insightful knowledge that will assist them in providing solutions that may affect them or their organization in the future. Nonetheless, social networking equips an individual with leadership skills in addressing diverse groups of people from different backgrounds. This is because this network presents a person with a learning opportunity of how to implement policies that may not be biased in terms of gender, race or ethnicity (Brown, 2005). Social media presents potential leaders with the chance to pay more attention to collective leadership as opposed to individual leadership. Through the interaction and exchange of ideas among members of the community, a person shifts their focus from their personal accomplishments and focus on developing skills that will be of service to others or an organizations. According Brown (2005) social media contributes to organizational leadership through the availability of information for people to evaluate and pick those that are aligned to their set goals and objectives. Furthermore, social media networking enables a person to explore other dimensions of their interests through creativity and innovative ideas shared online. Lemay & Ellis (2007) affirm that social networking, provides potential organizational leaders with the ability to take interests in team work through collective participation, and thereafter introduce resources that will motivate others to participate. It is therefore evident that social media plays an important role in empowering an individual to lead others by implementing and monitoring policies so as to maximize on the outcomes. According to Brown (2005) social media networking within an organization contributes to the creation of an informal partnership between managers and employees, which assist an organization to succeed by effectively contributing to the formal participation of the workforce. Social networking with an organization’s workforce is effective since it encourages workers to be innovative and capitalize on efficiency and productivity through communication links between individuals from different sections in an organization (Grayson, 2007). According to Grayson (2007) the introduction of interdepartmental connections through networking, leads to high performance by individuals in their specific fields. Nonetheless, social media presents an opportunity for people to create new networking groups through socialising and bonding. This strategy in long term leadership development ensures that all employees are treated the same and none of them feels like as an outsider since equal opportunities for participation is presented (Westphal and Milton, 2000). Conclusion This essay has discussed the concepts of networking and how they impact leadership and organizational performance. The essay has revealed that networking encourages individual and organizational growth through collective participation. The essay has provided an extensive discussion on the impacts social media has in influencing networking and leadership development. From this essay, networking has been discussed as an activity that allows individuals to form relationships with other people through the sharing of ideas in areas that interest them. Networking allows individuals to gain an in-depth perspective in leading others and an organization. Through networking an individual is able to sharpen their skills as potential leaders since the exchange of ideas through discussion with others promotes creativity and critical thinking. In the development of organizational leaders, networking plays a critical role by ensuring that an individual is able to maintain positive and effective relationships with both internal and external arms of an organization. Social media is a modern day tool that facilitates cross boarder networking among individuals from different locations, organizations and occupations. Through social media individuals are able to appreciate the diversity in social and cultural settings in a community. This kind of information acquired through social media translates in the governance of an organization since a person is able to treat all members of the organization with fairness and integrity. Notably, social interactions across social media platforms, provide a person with a better understanding of how to handle issues that may affect their performance and that of their organization. Therefore networking through social media acts as a learning opportunity for potential leaders. References Bartol, K.M. and Zhang, X. (2007) Networks and leadership development: building linkages for capacity acquisition and capital accrual. Human Resource Management Review, 17 (4), 388-401 Brown, J. (2005). The world café: Shaping our futures through conversations that matter. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Burt, R. (2004). Structural holes and good ideas. American Journal of Sociology, 110(2), Church, M, et al. (2003). 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