Starting this blog has proven to connect me with other architect mums, giving me the confidence and support in my daily working life. I have had so many in depth chats with other mummy's, met for coffees, walked and lunched. These are activities I never envisioned myself doing, but I have discovered that venturing beyond my comfort zone and stretching my limits is instrumental in fostering strong relationships.
In my view networking with other architect mums can be beneficial for both our career and personal life. Opening up opportunities to exchange ideas, share experiences, learn new skills, and find opportunities. You can also network with other architect mums to support each other, have fun, and make friends.
Don't get me wrong though, networking with other architect mums can be a challenge. You have to deal with busy schedules, limited time, and different locations. Recently it took 3 months to arrange a coffee with another mum, but we got there, and we have said we will meet again before Christmas (fingers crossed). You also have to deal with shyness, awkwardness, and competition. I think we need to go into this with an open mind, realise that we all have something that could hold us back, if we let it.
How do you network with other architect mums without losing your confidence? Personally, networking is helping to build my confidence up. Allowing myself to be open and vulnerable in my conversations usually enables others to open up too, reassurance is a common outcome. How do you find, connect, and communicate with other architect mums? How do you build and maintain relationships with other architect mums?
To answer these questions, we offered some tips and advice on how to network with other architect mums. Here are some of them:
Join online communities
Joining online communities is one of the easiest ways to network with other architect mums. You can join online communities like Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, or forums for architect mums like this one (motheratchitect).. Why not join online communities that are general to the profession, such as Archinect, Architizer, or ArchDaily. I have found online communities have helped me to discover and interact with other architect mums from different places and backgrounds.
Socials
Social media means we have access to so many people around the world at our finger tips. Finding accounts dedicated to professional mums can really open up a whole new pool of people for you to relate and connect with. The @motherarchitect Instagram page has connected me with so many wonderful mummy's who can relate with me.
Reach out personally
Reaching out personally is another way to network with other architect mums. You can reach out personally to other architect mums that you admire, respect, or want to collaborate with. You can also reach out personally to other architect mums that you know, met, or heard of by sending an email, a message, a call. 9 times out of 10 your contact will be kindly received; and hey if they don't respond, at least you put yourself out there! Reaching out will help you initiate and deepen relationships with other architect mums.
Be genuine
Being authentic is the key to successful networking with other architect mums. You need to be genuine in your intentions, interests, and values. Avoid pretending to be relatable or overly agreeable if it doesn't align with your true values. Be sincere in your compliments, questions, and feedback. Being genuine will help you build trust, rapport, and respect.
These are some tips and advice on how to network with other architect mums as an architect mum. Is this something you would be willing to try?
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