If you are an employer covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) you are required to have an up to date poster in your workplace that describes the law and enforcement procedures.
Networking is an art form. It cannot be boiled down to a series of steps that always work, in succession, every time. Everyone has a unique constellation of inner motivators and expectations and your usual style of communicating may or may not be a match for them.
Networking works! But the results are not scientifically measurable. Rather, networking professionally needs to be a conviction of your heart, that you love to network, that you believe you have something of value to offer others, not just to gain, that you thrive on social interaction. Unless you love interacting networking will ring false to you. but don't the brightest opportunities always flow to those individuals who are good at interacting with other people? Develop the art of listening to people and understanding their viewpoint and problems they encounter. Taking time is always rewarding.
I am a person who can relate better when people are thoughtful with their words when speaking to me. If somebody spoke to me using words like "your original comment" above, I would not want to do any business with this person. I would answer the "thoughtful version" by saying, "Which Starbucks and what time would you like to meet?" Jenny has a unique way of getting past all the surface talk. Brava!!
This Management style helps to build the working relationship and communication in an organisation between management and employees. I find it very satisfying.
You're so right. Life can get in the way and we don't realize what all we are taking for granted. It is important to remember everyday what we do have and be grateful for the blessings we have received. There are so many out there who don't have near the amount of things to be grateful for as you do, or I for that matter. Even if we are not wealthy in money, there is wealth in family and friends. Be grateful for the ones you have. Life would be no good without them. Have a happy holiday season and thanks for reminding everyone to remember what we do have.
I agree with Kim -- you have to assert yourself. Find a way to get yourself in leadership positions -- volunteer to lead a special project, chair a certain committee, solve a sticky problem. And for practice, find leadership opportunities outside the work world -- there are plenty of volunteer efforts that desperately need people to manage/lead other volunteers.