Gaining credibility and using influence is critical for success in the fast-paced business world. Whether you are an aspiring leader, an experienced professional, or an entrepreneur, joining an industry association is one of the most beneficial ways to build your network while enhancing your reputation. Such organizations provide many advantages that may enhance your reputation, bolster your knowledge, and offer you credibility.
Let’s explore how joining such a group may transform your professional life.
1. Building Credibility Through Collective Expertise
When you align yourself with a reputable industry group, you automatically gain access to a vast reservoir of collective expertise. These organizations often comprise seasoned veterans, thought leaders, and top performers in your field. By actively participating in group discussions, attending seminars, or contributing to collaborative projects, you position yourself as a knowledgeable and engaged member of your industry community.
Moreover, connecting with respected peers lends credence to your professional standing. Potential clients, partners, or employers may align trust with someone affiliated with a recognized industry body. Involvement in an association validates your expertise and signals your commitment to your craft.
2. Amplifying Influence Through Networking Opportunities
Influence stems not only from what you know but also from who you know. Industry groups serve as fertile ground for networking, offering numerous opportunities to connect with influential figures and decision-makers. These interactions can open doors to new partnerships, business opportunities, and career advancements, whether through formal networking events, online forums, or mentorship programs.
By actively engaging with fellow members, contributing meaningfully to discussions and supporting your interests, you can gradually expand your sphere of influence within your industry. Over time, your insights, ideas, and contributions can be recognized and respected, bolstering your reputation as a thought leader and influencer.
3. Cultivating Gravitas Through Leadership Roles
One of the most effective ways to demonstrate your expertise and solidify your influence within an industry group is to assume leadership roles. There are many ways to volunteer in an industry group: serving on the board of directors, chairing a committee, or spearheading a special initiative. Leadership positions afford you the opportunity to make a tangible impact and leave a lasting impression.
Taking on leadership responsibilities enhances your visibility within the organization and showcases your leadership abilities and strategic acumen to a broader industry audience. It positions you as a trusted authority and gives you a platform to champion essential causes, drive innovation, and shape the direction of your industry.
Final Thoughts
By surrounding yourself with like-minded experts, using their aggregate expertise, and actively engaging in networking and leadership opportunities, you can significantly increase your credibility, magnify your influence, and develop a sense of gravitas that makes you stand out in your area. So don’t undervalue the influence of affiliations; they might be the spark that propels your career forward.
The volunteer community is a membership organization’s heart and soul. Their contribution is priceless, and the organization couldn’t function without them. Not only do they make things happen behind the scenes, but they also express the values of the organization in their activities. Characteristics such as leadership, personal growth, gratitude, community, vision, honor, and respect are evident in their involvement.
The Power of Gratitude in Volunteer Contributions
While leaders who value contribution will give regardless of recognition, without acknowledgment, their energy, interest, and enthusiasm may wane over time. A simple act of gratitude fuels their internal drivers and affirms them as individuals and contributors, encouraging them personally and professionally.
Challenges in Keeping Recognition at the Forefront
Why is it so difficult to keep recognition at the forefront when organizations often depend on it? A couple of reasons come to mind. First, those who volunteer are motivated by personal satisfaction and a commitment to the organization and aren’t usually seeking acknowledgment. Second, in an organization like CMC-Global Institute, the leaders are also volunteers who contribute their time and expertise in addition to full-time work.
Creating and Reinforcing a Culture of Recognition
How can we create and reinforce a culture of recognition? Josh Bersin researched the topic of employee recognition and shared these best practices that apply in both workplace and non-profit scenarios:
Implement Peer-to-Peer Recognition: Not top-down.
Make Recognition Easy and Frequent: In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, two of the most valuable psychological needs we have as human beings are the need to be appreciated and the need to “belong.” These needs are met through peer-to-peer thanks and recognition.
The study revealed that “Companies that scored in the top 20% for building a ‘recognition-rich culture’ actually had 31% lower voluntary turnover rates!”
Fostering a Culture of Recognition
What would a culture of recognition look like in your company? In any organization to which you belong? It starts with individuals, teams, and leaders noticing, inquiring, and being interested in the actions of others, and recognizing their achievements. A culture of recognition starts with an attitude of gratitude.
The Ripple Effects of Gratitude
An attitude of gratitude has ripple effects far beyond the impact on a company, a volunteer organization, or the individuals themselves. It can resonate within the culture and help to shape it into the future. Start today.
(Adapted from the original version that appeared in C2M Connect, January 2015 by Kathie Nelson and Pamela Campagna)
I recently hiked two 4,000-foot peaks in the White Mountains. This may not seem like a big deal to many – unless you’re afraid of heights like I am.
Regardless, I decided to join in on a trip to the White Mountains, thinking, “How difficult could this be”? I learned there’s a big difference between walking or running seven miles and hiking seven miles!
Call it blind faith or dumb luck, but we made it there and back – and learned a few things along the way.
Lesson 5: Celebrate Your Wins
When we reached the top of the first peak, a fellow hiker opened his backpack and cracked open a bottle of Moet champagne. Although he had been through these mountains many times before, he realized that for many of us, this was our first time. We raised a glass and celebrated our first victory as we moved cautiously downhill to the second peak.
Lesson 6: If you’re Not Prepared, Improvise
Ignorance is bliss, and traveling with experienced hikers is the way to go. In retrospect, I probably could have been more prepared for the “simple seven-mile hike in the White Mountains”, but we improvised along the way. My fleece jacket became a towel after a while (we were thoroughly drenched from start to finish). I borrowed two walking sticks from another hiker (he had brought an extra pair). The phrase “tree hugger” took on a new meaning as I grabbed every branch in sight and slid down a 45-foot incline.
Lesson 7: When in Doubt, Keep Going
Throughout the day, turning back never occurred to me; in retrospect, we only stopped twice. Some of my fellow hikers sometimes questioned daylight availability and argued about which paths to take. I was a bit nervous when the compasses came out, but we appeared to stay on course. There was a critical point where we might have retreated and called it a day – the point of no return, but we didn’t.
Lesson 8: Never Underestimate How Long Things Take
The guidebooks estimated that our trip should be completed (under normal conditions) in six hours, and it took us nine hours. When we started, we didn’t understand all the variables that would affect our progress: fog, rain, slippery terrain, eroded trails, and slower hikers. When we returned, our friends were about to contact the state police to report us missing. Would we do it again? Sure. And this time, we’re so much wiser!
Which of these lessons sound familiar to you? We’d like to hear what you think!
