The Three Kinds of Networks You Need for Success

Most people have an operational or personal network but are missing the third

Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” — African proverb

I’m often reminded of the above quote when I think about how to get ahead at work. No matter what you do for work, you likely need a network to succeed. What I didn’t know, and I bet you probably didn’t know, is that there are three kinds of networks.

Operational

Almost everyone has an operational network. If you work at a company and you have to work with others to get work done, you have an operational network. You know who to talk to to get specific things done or to help persuade others about your ideas.

Your operational network helps you get work done.

Personal

You likely have a personal network too. On LinkedIn, not only is your network comprised of people that are in your operational network (I can’t be the only one that likes to add everyone that I have worked with, whether they are a coworker, boss or contractor), but it likely has people that you are friends with (I know my network does).