Staying Visible (always)

// Introduction

I’m 7 months into my role at Yammayap and over the last few months, it’s been hectic. I mean that in a really positive way as I’ve been solely working on building the network up around me and using that leverage to focus on new business for the company. With every change, there is the temptation to disappear and focus on what you need to do with your job - there are so many times that I see people just disappear from their professional and personal networks because they need to ‘focus’ on their new job and they end up losing their place and more importantly, the connections that network offers.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Staying visible in your network, both personal and professional, is crucial to maintaining momentum, building trust, and continuing to grow - even while you're immersed in a new role. I've learned that it’s possible to stay connected and visible without sacrificing focus. In fact, nurturing those connections can be a powerful tool for success and it’s one which is really starting to pay off after a short time.

// The Challenge

Job changes can (and quite oftenly do) lead to a disconnect from your network for a few reasons -

First, the demands of learning a new industry or your new role can be time consuming and it’ll drain your energy - the main thing you need to do when you start your job is to prove that you’re capable and this can cause you to focus inwards and you prioritise a kind of ‘self survival’ mode - the communication you once had with your friends from your previous place of work can dwindle and your shifting focus to new colleagues and projects can mean that you appear distant. For me, the switch from manufacturing to a service based industry (albeit, I’ve worked in a service based business before) was a bit of a learning curve but one that wasn’t as hard as I’d anticipated.

You also get a touch of the ‘imposter syndrome’ - especially if you’ve moved jobs to be higher up the food chain and you’ll always have the fear of appearing irrelevant in your new role - you want to work harder and faster to prove yourself. The challenge becomes more about you and your confidence in yourself than it does about maintaining your network connections and ultimately, this means you drift away.

I’ve seen people recently who have changed jobs and before they left, they were an active part of local communities and as soon as they join their new jobs, they don’t show up anymore.

My belief is that your network provides you with a platform for success - abandoning that is risky.

// Maintenance Mode Activated

When I joined Yammayap - in my final interview, I specifically requested that I was allowed to maintain my personal brand and my activities which meant I was continuing to build that. Having been in a position before where I was challenged, restricted and in some cases, forced to ‘toe the line’ - I wanted to have the freedom to express myself in the right way and I wanted to continue to build that personal brand element.

My personal brand is the sum of all that I am - my values, my unique qualities as a person and my expertise - I’ve written many times before about how that personal brand will bring a company new business because people buy from people.

Maintain that personal brand transcends any specific job or industry - take Cristiano Ronaldo as an example, he’s played football for some of the biggest clubs in the world, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and his brand and his skill has transcended any football club or employer. His consistency and continual presence has allowed people to recognise him and trust him no matter where he was employed.

He stayed visible with his commercial activities and that only served to reinforce the images others associated with him - he still speaks glowingly of his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, despite being in a new role.

Just like Ronaldo, maintaining visibility ensures people recognize and trust you regardless of where you are.

By staying active in my network and continuing to share my experiences and being present on social media, I keep reinforcing my personal brand.

It's not just about self-promotion; it's about maintaining relationships and showing consistency in who I am. Whether I’m at Yammayap or elsewhere, my personal brand remains a constant - helping me bring value to my current role while staying connected with my broader network

// Leverage

Learning a new industry or job should is an exciting challenge, but it doesn't mean you have to abandon your established network.

Your prior connections are a real source of long-term value - you’ll be offered opportunities, support, and chance to collaborate that can complement your new role. I’m actually in discussions with an industry connection (or two) now from my previous role who have a real need for what I am currently doing (which is building bespoke workflow software, designed exclusively for your business - says a man who’s been nailing his elevator pitch) - but without sharing the stuff I’m doing now, those opportunities would have never materialised.

Every connection, every relationship and every interaction in your life is a way you can continually integrate a learning - whether it’s a success of a failure, you’re continually learning and you can do that without losing the benefits associated with your previous connections - instead of seeing it as a trade off, you should see it as a way to enrich your new job and a way to connect your old network with your existing one.

I’ll be honest, I’ve never understood people who sacrifice a whole room of people because they don’t think they can help them - I see it all too many times at ‘business’ networking events.

If you’re only looking to sell or speak about the thing you’re doing, then you’re not really a part of the room anyway.

The biggest thing you should be doing is to serve the others in the room, connect them and think about how you can help them - and of course, when I say ‘the room’ - I also mean the communities you belong too, the people you’re connected with and those who you’ve worked with.

Your learnings, your connections all lead to opportunities and insights that might otherwise pass you by.

By staying engaged and visible, you're allowing your network to see your growth and expertise evolve, which keeps you top-of-mind when opportunities arise.

Every interaction can be an exchange of value, and you never know which contact will need your new skills or ideas. Instead of disconnecting, use your established relationships to fuel your next steps, enriching both your new role and your existing connections, ensuring you stay relevant and connected.

// Adapt and Overcome.

To make sure you’re working in the right way and not disconnecting from your networks requires intentional action.

Everything has to align with your core values and how your new role aligns with them - for me, as I mentioned before - I made sure that when I joined my new role, that I was being intentional from the start that I wanted to grow, build and continue to use my personal brand as a way to embrace some element of continuous learning.

If we’re ‘slaves’ to a role, we become stagnant and engrained in the practices of old (every job and every industry continues to innovate) and by embracing new ideas, ideas from outside of your industry and by being innovative, you’re bringing new skills relevant to your new role.

I think employers should be coming around to the fact that people like to ‘hustle’ and in this day and age, we need to focus far more on the people within our businesses than we do our service or product - that way, we’re continually building exposure and reputation.

I don’t think it matters what job you’re in, I could find a way to argue the fact that you need to be strong in your convictions and be up front with your new boss that actually, you need to continue certain activities as they bring you joy, connection and relevance - even if they’re not in your ideal marketplace.

Again it comes down to your core values because, by maintaining open communication with your network and seeking feedback, you can navigate changes without compromising who you are.

To ensure that you remain adaptable without losing your core identity, it’s essential to prioritize your values in every new role.

By talking openly with your employer about your need for continued engagement with your passions, you foster an environment where innovation thrives.

This not only enriches your own experience but also enhances the overall workplace culture - to put it simply, staying true to yourself while embracing new challenges allows you to grow both personally and professionally, enabling you to bring unique perspectives and solutions to the table - that has to be a positive right?

// Sum Up

I do get it (because I’ve done it), transitioning into a new role can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to come at the cost of your community and your network..

You have to intentionally cultivate your relationships and stay true to your personal brand, you can navigate the challenges of a new industry while keeping your connections alive and thriving.

I think it’s all about striking a balance - embracing new opportunities without losing sight of who you are and what you stand for.

I’m a firm believer that your network is a valuable resource that can support your journey, so stay engaged, be proactive, and remember that every interaction is a chance to reinforce your identity and enhance your growth.

Embracing change while staying visible ensures that you not only adapt to new demands but also continue to flourish both personally and professionally.