How can you leverage external networks to enhance team development and career progression?

As an IT operations manager, you are responsible for leading a team of IT professionals who ensure the availability, performance, and security of your organization's IT infrastructure and services. But how do you keep your team motivated, engaged, and up to date with the latest trends and best practices in the fast-changing IT landscape? One way is to leverage external networks, or groups of people who share a common interest, goal, or profession, and who can provide you with valuable insights, feedback, and opportunities. In this article, we will explore how you can use external networks to enhance your team development and career progression.

1 Why external networks matter

External networks can help you and your team in several ways. First, they can expose you to new ideas, perspectives, and solutions that can improve your IT operations and solve your challenges. Second, they can offer you access to resources, tools, and training that can enhance your skills and knowledge. Third, they can expand your professional connections and relationships, which can open up new possibilities for collaboration, innovation, and career advancement. Fourth, they can increase your visibility and reputation in the IT community, which can boost your credibility and influence.

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Prof. Neil Curtis

Coaching the Best of the Best Military & Police Veterans to Dominate the Cybersecurity Battlefield. Professor Cybersecurity | Chief Security Officer | Top 30 Global Cybersecurity Influencers 2024/25
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Leveraging external networks enhances the diversity of thought enabling you to leverage different experiences and opinions that can be utilised to support the growth of the business and the people. It also engages others willingly that support the organisation as a whole.

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2 How to find external networks

Finding external networks that are relevant to your IT operations and interests can be done in a number of ways. Joining online platforms and forums that focus on specific IT topics, such as DevOps or cybersecurity, can allow you to interact with other IT professionals, ask questions, share insights, and learn from their experiences. Following social media groups and hashtags related to your IT domain, such as #ITOps or #AWS, can help you stay updated on the latest news and best practices. Additionally, webinars and podcasts featuring IT experts can provide valuable information and guidance on how to improve your IT operations and career. Finally, participating in events and conferences that bring together IT professionals from different organizations can offer you opportunities to network, learn, and collaborate with other peers while discovering new technologies and trends.

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Prof. Neil Curtis

Coaching the Best of the Best Military & Police Veterans to Dominate the Cybersecurity Battlefield. Professor Cybersecurity | Chief Security Officer | Top 30 Global Cybersecurity Influencers 2024/25
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Engage through LinkedIn and other social media to find and ask suitable partners to participate. That way you can leverage their platform to source suitable people and positions.

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3 How to engage with external networks

It's not enough to just find external networks - you must engage with them actively and effectively. To do so, be curious and open-minded about what you can learn from others, generous and helpful when you share your insights and resources, respectful and professional when following the rules and etiquette of the network, and consistent and authentic in your presence and communication. Ask questions, listen attentively, offer support and advice, acknowledge the sources of others, show up regularly, contribute meaningfully, and follow up on your commitments. Don't be afraid to challenge your assumptions, selfish or competitive, rude or arrogant, or sporadic or dishonest.

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4 How to leverage external networks for team development

External networks can be a great way to help your team develop. Encourage members to join networks that match their interests, goals, and skills, and provide support and resources for them to engage. Create a culture of learning and knowledge sharing by having members share what they learn from external networks with the rest of the team. Involve your team in activities and projects that can benefit your IT operations and organization, such as collaborating on a joint initiative or applying for a grant or award. Challenge them to use external networks as a source of feedback and improvement, seeking input and advice from other IT professionals on their work and implementing the suggestions they receive.

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5 How to leverage external networks for career progression

External networks can be an effective tool for advancing your career. You can create a portfolio of your work and share it with your external network to showcase your skills and knowledge. You can also use external networks to build your personal brand and reputation by engaging with them regularly and providing them with useful content. Additionally, you can explore new opportunities and possibilities by expanding your network and reaching out to people who can help you achieve your career goals. Lastly, use external networks to negotiate and advocate for yourself by gathering evidence from your network that can support your case for a promotion or raise.

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Prof. Neil Curtis

Coaching the Best of the Best Military & Police Veterans to Dominate the Cybersecurity Battlefield. Professor Cybersecurity | Chief Security Officer | Top 30 Global Cybersecurity Influencers 2024/25
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Building your knowledge and understanding through your network develops an adjoining approach to tactical mentoring that can be beneficial to career development. Many advisors theory will apply to helping you grow your career moving forward.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you leverage external networks to enhance team development and career progression?

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1 Why external networks matter

2 How to find external networks

3 How to engage with external networks

4 How to leverage external networks for team development

5 How to leverage external networks for career progression

6 Here’s what else to consider

IT Operations Management

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How can you leverage external networks to enhance team development and career progression?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Why external networks matter

2 How to find external networks

3 How to engage with external networks

4 How to leverage external networks for team development

5 How to leverage external networks for career progression

6 Here’s what else to consider

IT Operations Management

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