Network Evolution

Professional networks are not static — they evolve as careers develop, industries shift, roles change, and the professional you are becoming diverges from the professional you were when many of your current connections were formed. The network that served you well five years ago may be poorly matched to where you are now and even more poorly matched to where you are going. Managing network evolution — consciously developing the network in the direction your career is moving — is a form of strategic networking communication that most professionals never explicitly address.

This subtopic explores network evolution as a communication practice: how to periodically assess whether your current network reflects your current professional direction or a previous version of it, how to develop new network relationships in the areas where your career is heading rather than only maintaining relationships in the areas you are moving away from, how to gracefully reduce the active investment in networking relationships that are no longer professionally relevant without damaging goodwill, how to re-enter professional networks after career transitions — a sector change, a period of absence, a significant role shift — and communicate your new professional identity clearly to both existing and new contacts, and how to build the adaptable networking communication habits that allow your network to evolve continuously rather than requiring periodic complete reinvention. You will find guidance on network evolution communication for major career transitions as well as for the ongoing developmental management of a professional network over time.

Network evolution is the long view of professional networking. These articles help you take it with intention and skill.