Bridging Bureaucracies: Navigating Collaboration Across Governments
Photo by Sora Shimazaki
In the ever-evolving landscape of public service, collaboration across government agencies and jurisdictions is paramount. As senior public servants, you understand the significance of networking, yet it's not uncommon to feel apprehensive about it. Networking is often viewed as a daunting task, and the busier your schedule becomes, the harder it may seem to find time for it. However, I'm here to assure you that networking is a skill that can be learned and mastered.
In this blog post, we'll explore how networking is not reserved for extroverts and why it's crucial to your career progression. We'll also provide practical tips to help you navigate the world of networking effectively. So, let's dive in and discover how networking can be a game-changer in your journey as a senior public servant.
Collaboration across governments is about networking
My take on collaboration across governments is that it's about networking, and it comes up often in coaching conversations. Most people are nervous about networking and think they are not very good at it. I hardly hear from people dying to network. And the busier you get, the less time you might have to do it.
Don’t worry, you can learn to become comfortable with networking
Many people think that others are naturally much better at this than they are, and my observation is that those who are good networkers have practised the art of it. Many think that the best networkers are extroverts, and my sense is that while extraversion might make it easier to be around lots of people, it doesn’t always lend itself to finesse in this regard. While there are many excellent extroverted networkers, some extroverts can come on too strong and may build superficial relationships. There are also many excellent introverted networkers, while some introverts shy away from making the many relationships that someone in a senior leadership role in government needs to build. They might go to fewer crowded events (even virtually), and they may spend time with only a handful of the same people.
Give thought to the role that networking plays in your job
You’ll first want to consider whether and how networking is vital to your job and future success. If you agree that it's essential, then remember that you will have your style of networking – a way of meeting people and building relationships that are best and most effective for you, given where you sit on the introvert/extravert scale, past experience and probably also advice from role models who can introduce you to the right circles.
To make it easier, try changing how you think about networking
One thing that seems too familiar to the best networkers is their beliefs about networking – they don’t think it's about getting someone to like them or getting someone to give them things; they think it's about what they can do for someone else. It gets easier if you approach networking with the idea that you have something to offer the other person without expecting something in return. What gifts can you give? Perhaps it's another contact you know who can help them or an article you read on something that they are working on or dealing with. When you think of it that way, it's not as hard to approach someone you would like to get to know, though it may take some thinking ahead. What is their world like, what do they need, and what can you do to support them? The best networkers do their homework.
One way to think about networking is to ask yourself how you would respond if another person called you for some reason. Would you turn them away or put them off? Probably not – so they will likely be as receptive as you are. And if you are not receptive to these circumstances, it might be time to rethink that. Having connections at all levels and in other jurisdictions will make solving the wicked problems we face nationally easier to deal with.
Try meeting people through ‘warm channels’
One of the things that makes people nervous about networking is the idea of cold calls. I don’t think there are too many circumstances where a cold call in a public sector environment is necessary. Sure, there may be times when you have to reach out to someone in another jurisdiction that you haven’t met, and that probably isn’t too hard. However, when there is someone that you would like to know better, I recommend that you try to meet them through a ‘warm’ channel. You probably know someone they know, and maybe that person can connect you.
Networking for career progression
Another situation in which networking can come in handy is if you have started to think about another job or a more senior job. How do you get to know those people who could influence your career? Generally speaking, it’s the same method. What can you do to support that person, even if they are more senior than you? Can you help someone who works for them? Can you negotiate an interchange agreement with another jurisdiction?
Finding the right time to network
There is a fine line between becoming known and becoming a nuisance. I recommend a light touch and a sense of timing. Best to avoid making a connection when the person you are considering calling has an issue in the news. It has seemed to me that the weeks around Christmas can be a good time to call, or in the summer when the normal pressures are lower or the house is not sitting.
Work With Your Coach
Your coach can help you create experiments in networking and build your confidence – what’s one small step you can take to try a particular approach? They can also debrief your efforts and help you find a way that works best for you.
Some parting thoughts
I hope you found these ideas helpful and interesting. Learning how to build your networking and collaboration skills can take time and trial and error. A good way to learn is to ask someone whose skills you admire how they do it. Another way to learn is to ask your boss or colleague about what worked well and what didn’t.
If you disagree with the ideas, then ask yourself, what do you think instead? Reflecting on your reaction to this guidance is a good way to find your personal style!
If these tips and ideas were helpful to you, and you’d like to keep learning, you might consider taking our Full Course, an Accelerator Short Course, or downloading our playbook.