In today’s interconnected corporate landscape, getting to network is not just a professional skill—it’s an essential strategy for growth, collaboration, and success. For executives navigating the complexities of global business, effective networking is the bridge that connects diverse markets, cultures, and opportunities.
The action goes beyond exchanging business cards and LinkedIn connections; it’s about building relationships that drive mutual growth, innovation, and support.
The power of networking lies in transcending geographic and cultural boundaries, creating pathways for learning, mentorship, and career progression. Establishing meaningful connections with colleagues and peers doesn’t just enhance personal development—it fuels organizational success.
Studies show that strong workplace networks and a sense of belonging boost performance and reduce turnover risk and absenteeism. Ultimately this leads to higher engagement and retention.
As the holiday season begins — a time synonymous with generosity and connection — it’s the perfect moment to reflect on and refine your approach.
Why the holidays are a prime time to network
This season presents unique opportunities to build bonds that inspire collaboration and long-term growth. This can be applied at festive corporate events, through thoughtful holiday greetings, or by strengthening relationships with global peers.
Follow the tips below to ensure your networking skills are effective:
- Give thoughtful gestures as you share insights, recommendations, or resources tailored to other’s interests, and even consider sending culturally appropriate tokens of appreciation
- Attend festive events and participate in multicultural holiday celebrations and industry-specific gatherings, such as holiday parties – use these opportunities to connect with colleagues and peers
- Leverage personalized messages for holiday greetings to reconnect via social media, email or any preferred methods, while making sure to include a note of gratitude or highlight shared achievements
- Share a year-end reflection or spark engagement in social media or company channels – as the year ends, people are open to setting goals and exploring new opportunities, including collaborating with proactive members of the community
How leaders can support teams build their holiday network
There are many ways to encourage participation in holiday events. Nevertheless, a good push can be given by providing templates or resources for culturally sensitive holiday greetings. Also, consider helping host internal or external holiday gatherings to create opportunities to connect.
Articles like Harvard Business Review’s “Kickstart Your New Hire’s Success by Connecting them to the Right People” show us different methods for managers who want to “help employees engage in internal networking”. Nevertheless, these tips are not limited to newcomers; they can be used for all levels and types of collaborators.
- Create a knowledge map that shows who knows what within the company
- Create a prioritized networking list of people they should meet and why
- Initiate relationship building to facilitate connections for your employees
Cross-cultural considerations for global networking
It is important to acknowledge that not all cultures celebrate the same holiday; adapt your approach based on cultural sensitivity.
This can be done by highlighting alternatives later in the year for non-Christmas holidays, such as New Year or Lunar New Year. This way you’ll be covering diverse networking contexts. Avoid assumptions and focus on universal themes like gratitude, collaboration, and hope for the future.
Fun Fact: This 2024, Christmas and Hannukah are celebrated on the same days. In the last century, it has only occurred in 4 years. The first night of Hanukkah last fell on Christmas Day in 2005. Before that, the overlap was way back in 1959 and 1921.
Make the season count
As the holiday season unfolds, it presents a unique opportunity to strengthen your professional connections. Beyond exchanging pleasantries, holiday outreach fosters genuine, long-term relationships that become the foundation for mutual growth.
Global connections, enriched by intercultural awareness, unlock the potential for collaboration, innovation, and shared success across borders.
Let this season inspire you to view networking as more than just a strategy. Embrace it as a pathway to meaningful partnerships that fuel personal and organizational growth in our interconnected world.
