The pandemic has been difficult for most people. And many are feeling very disconnected. Today, my guest Kristy Wallace, CEO of Ellevate Network offers three tips on how to feel connected in a disconnected world.

My name is Avil Beckford, and I started a new series called The One Problem. My interview guests talk about one problem that's near and dear to their heart, and they take five to 10 minutes to offer their solution. This is a way for us to learn from each other. Today, once again, you're going to meet an Ellevate sister. Her name is Kristy Wallace, and she is the CEO of Ellevate Network. Over to you.

Interview with Kristy Wallace, CEO Ellevate Network

Kristy Wallace

Thank you so much. It is an honor to be here today. I want to talk about something that matters to me, which is feeling connected in a disconnected world. We've seen over the past year how much things have changed from running into a store, meeting with others at the workplace, going to events and networking. And many of us are feeling like that is missing from our lives. But the solution to that is to lean into new ways of building relationships, to hold true to those deep connections, to putting in the work every day, to cultivate relationships, to meet other people, but to do it in new and unique ways.

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Kristy Wallace

So I've got three main tips for me when it comes to how we feel more connected in a disconnected world. First is to be kind. Networking is seen as sometimes dirty or you're just in it to ask for what you need from others. And I want to reposition that. I think networking is about giving to others. When you're networking, you're building a community, you're giving back to others, you're investing in them. So when I say be kind, go in and think, what can I offer?

What can I give to this community? Could be your expertise, your advice, your insights, your contacts, but know that you have something to offer and go in and have that mindset. But I would also say to know what you're asking us, we don't all have to be superheroes. We oftentimes need help. We need a leg up. And one of the biggest mistakes I've always made in my career has been to not take advantage of that question.

Well, what can I do for you? I always said, nope, I'm OK. In reality, I'm not. I need advice. I need a connection or support. And being able to say that not only fulfills that kind ethos, someone wants to help me, but it makes sure that I'm really seeing the benefits of being part of a community. The second thing I would say is to be intentional because networking doesn't just happen. And especially now we're in this virtual space.

Kristy Wallace

It's easy to hide, it's easy to turn off your screen or to not engage with others. And so, be intentional about building those relationships. Be intentional about reaching out to people, following up on meetings. I have a note in my calendar that reminds me every week of whom I want to stay in touch with. It's  when I'm not seeing them in person or at the office or on my commute to make sure we're still in touch, particularly for those that you work alongside of.

Kristy Wallace

How many people did you run into in the cafeteria, if not in meetings with them throughout the day? So understand who's a part of your network and lean into that, being intentional about reaching out. But also be intentional about growing your network, something you can do every day, you can still do it virtually. You can attend events like Ellevate Network, events. We really focus on helping you connect with others and build those authentic relationships. But when you are reading content and articles, when you see something interesting in the news or in the world, share that with your network, your bigger network.

Kristy Wallace

If it's on LinkedIn or Facebook or where are you, share your voice, share your insights, let others benefit from your knowledge and expertise that's helping to build your network and be intentional about the diversity of your network. We tend to connect with those that are like us, similar industries, similar backgrounds, similar geographies. Feeling connected in this virtual space is creating such a wealth of opportunity. You can spend your morning with those in Dubai and your afternoon with those in London, your evening with people from all over the world, different industries, different functions, different ideas, different backgrounds and identities.

Kristy Wallace

This is the time to lean in to that. The confines of geography are no longer keeping us back and to be intentional about the diversity of that community and reaching out. And finally, I would say start today. If you're like me, you probably feel overwhelmed. There's not a lot of time, we have so much going on, the boundaries between work and personal have been muddled. But when you start today, when you think of today, who can I connect with?

Kristy Wallace

Who haven't I seen in a while? Who could benefit from my expertise? When you commit to attending one virtual event or making one outreach and you start to see the exponential impact of starting today and taking action every single day. So when people say our biggest problem is this virtual space, we're losing human connection, we're losing the power of a network because we know for women to succeed, we need networks —– that deep connection network that gives us that advice and support, that broader network that connects us to opportunities.

Kristy Wallace

We can continue to move forward to build those relationships, to support others now and into the future, if we were intentional and if we take action today.

Avil Beckford

Thank you so much, Kristy.

 The Book Networking for People Who Hate Networking How to Be a Power Connector Superconnector

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