How can we define a professional network?
"A work related community of people held together by either close working affiliation or more distant but common work interests or needs." (Middlesex University, 2015. Reader 3)
It is important to consider the combination of formal and informal relationships within these communities i.e. Teacher/student, co workers etc and thus our ethical and moral considerations towards this. My network components would definitely vary and adapt between the aforementioned. Effective engagement and management of our networks impact on success within the industry as well as your personal enjoyment of it so I consider networks to be very valuable to my practice. We use them to promote oneself, gain experience, as sources of information and to obtain recommendation; but also to form close affiliations with people we can depend on and socialise with in our professional and personal lives.
Being in a touring, theatrical environment, I can tell you that life on the road can become very lonely if you don't engage and interact with your networks. Being away from your home environment and family, you often form very close relationships within the working community and very quickly. When touring you are working, socialising and living with these people so it is import to form positive rapports and co operate, regardless of whether you choose to form close bonds or not.
Enjoyment is a key concept here. Some people find networking and socialising very difficult, whether it be on a professional or personal level; and some find it adds to their competition. Personally, it takes me a while to form close bonds with others and i don't always 'come out of my shell' until further down the line or unless i feel completely comfortable. This can sometimes hinder me in the form of other peoples initial perceptions of my personality. However, it can benefit me in the sense that i can judge a persons character and ulterior motives behind a relationship before deciding to cooperate or commit to an affiliation with them. I've always considered myself to be a bit cautious and thought i struggled in social situations - maybe i am subconsciously acting on 'the game theory'.
These are a few general questions that have emerged from this reader:
Do I understand professional networking?
Am I using them effectively?
What benefits have I experienced?
What could I do better?
Are there any negatives?
Concepts of professional networks
Cooperation - "give more than what you would take"?
When i'm between performing jobs or have free time, i like to get back in touch with my local networks and offer workshops. These benefit me because I earn form it and get my name known whilst keeping fit and gaining personal fulfilment. On the other hand it also benefits the establishment and their students learning, experience, enjoyment and professionalism. It's also great for students in my area to be able to relate to someone who has come from there and then gone on to achieve their dreams. It helps to inspire and show them that they can do it, even though opportunities are fewer in our region. This is a personal example of co-operation.
'Game theory' is a concept that uses cooperation to gain maximum benefit and then defeat. Its effectively gaining success at another's expense, arguably taking advantage. The aim is to judge or predict another persons character and response to events. You make the decision to cooperate or not in order to form a strategy for what you believe could be the best outcome. A basic example would be me seeing a guy with big muscles for example or a guy noticing my flexibility in an audition, believing him to be strong and me to have nice lines, partnering each other in an audition to achieve the best possible performance, one of us get the job and the other doesn't, and that's that. For this theory you must understand the various potential outcomes of a situation though. Be comprehensive of the alternative scenarios and be accepting of the situation for what it is. Is this morally wrong? What rules and ethical considerations should we apply?
Affiliation - Professional and Personal
This is the forming of close relationships (Crisp & Turner) through socialising. A networking activity that we enjoy and benefit from in times of need. O'connor and Rosenblood talk about preferred levels of social interaction, levels of privacy and how this can depend on a person being introvert or extrovert. Does being introvert jeopardise our ability to network and in turn hinder opportunities? It is considered that many people in the arts are extrovert and expressive. I consider myself less so and find some situations like press nights quite intimidating. I often make decisions as and when to go to particular events. I could link this with a previous inquiry surrounding mental illness and lack of ability to communicate. If a person lacks self worth, self confidence, is suffering from depression or anxiety; the whole concept of networking and socialising can be scary. So, how can we make up for these networks in other ways or overcome this? Do we rely on our agents to do the work for us? Do we put greater emphasis on relationships formed through social media and previous contacts?
Hofsted mentions the variables between cultures. I can relate to this from touring internationally. In Korea for example, the audience were so reserved and only stood on their bosses queue but were very well treating - i had such a great relationship with my dressers who went above and beyond and i still enjoy speaking to now. You notice cultural differences within your own country too. After touring the UK, i have found certain regions such as Newcastle and Nottingham so friendly and open in their approach to you - particularly on stage door. Birmingham were extremely keen to provide opening night drinks in order to welcome us into their city. Other venues aren't quite so, they will be polite and helpful, they will cooperate with you so that you are comfortable in the venue but it stops there really - ultimately you are there for the week and moving on. The former see it as an open ended relationship in that you never know when a different production could cause you to return. Its amazing how many of my memories of shows and places or countries link back to the people i came into contact with and the relationships formed. I returned to a venue at which i did my first professional job in pantomime aged 19. I remembered the stage door keeper and my dresser six years later and was so happy to discover they were still working there. It made the experience so much more enjoyable.
Are the cultural differences partly due to evolution of media and the internet? I'd really like to look into how networking and sources of information have developed over the years and apply this to different generations of performers. Is it possible to form close affiliations over the internet without having face to face contact? A thought was sparked after Lois' mention of notice boards which i have addressed in a previous blog titled 'Networking'. I spoke about how the importance of the company notice board at the theatre has changed over the years. I want to further this and plan to have a professional conversation with an older member of the company. I did a survey in relation to reader 1 asking people their most used and valued forms of web 2.0 communication technologies; this in regards to both professional and personal use. I vividly remember the more maturer lady in our dressing room saying she didn't use any form of social media and if anything she'd maybe drop an email. Her values were still placed in phone calls and face to face meetings. Personally, i always email my agent or company manager unless there is an urgent need to call etc. Has the evolution of media impacted negatively on our verbal and face to face networking/communication skills?
I'd also like to look at how upbringing can affect the social element of networking - interactive play, affection? I've not been brought up on saying 'love you' with endless hugging and kissing and can sometimes feel uncomfortable doing this. Being in a theatrical environment where people are often over the top, someone going straight in for the double cheek can feel awkward or seem forced due to my initial perceptions of contact. I've always attended public school, extra curricular clubs and been integrated with other children, students and adults; therefore i am able to demonstrate interpersonal skills. Does being home schooled affect our networking and social skills? Does being an only child? Todays children are often absorbed in games consoles and televisions, i hope to install outdoor play and continue the encouragement of team sports etc with my own children.
What do our preferred levels of interaction/privacy mean individually? Do we rely on people to network for us or on our previous achievements? The saying : keep your friends close and your enemies closer could be a tactic in which we demonstrate affiliation but with an ulterior motive of cooperating only. Affiliation is something that definitely varies across careers I.e office jobs or teaching etc. It's not likely I'd go drinking with the principle but I may do with my dance captain. What implications follow? I am more considerate of language, photos etc online when teaching. People that are in the public eye must also apply these behaviours in public places like supermarkets, coffee shops.
As humans it is believed we have a need to affiliate and expand networks personally or professionally. Human beings are not designed to be alone, we are made to expand as a race and form relationships to increase fulfilment. Is networking a natural process for us, a tacit knowledge? There's the question of quality over quantity? People who want to climb the ladder or do business via social media may have less close affiliations but more of them. I believe that if you are content in your careers and life, you may have fewer but closer affiliations on a similar level. I have friends that have never really left home, have established a career there and sustained the same friends as what they grew up with - and thats ok. It is their personal preference.
The theory of social connectivity
Social constructionism: creating, understanding and making meaning of the world we live in.
Connectivism
Communities of practise - Lave & Wenger theory.
This is the idea of learning through engagement and participation with social relationships that are considered more informal than hierarchical.
What are my communities of practice? Work friends, ex work friends, college, dance school, amateur groups. These communities can often decrease in size over time because of ratio between people who have cooperated or genuinely affiliated and due to the forming of new communities elsewhere. As mentioned previously, it is quite common to have extremely short, intense communities in this industry because of the nature of the work. It is also hard to find the time to sustain these as I remain friends with only one or 2 from each community but have several communities to catch up with. I don't have one large group of friends like my partner does who still remains in his friendship group from school. That's why the virtual world is so useful these days. It enables us to continue contact without being able to meet up as much as we would like.
My communities have been created because of mutual interests and sometimes these interests may change. People who i formed friendships with for years, i now don't speak to because we have changed - we are different people. The majority of people i continue contact with from my school years are the ones who engaged in extra curricular dance/drama or amateur societies as that is still a common interest between us today. In relation to theatre and my current practice, i find that in some jobs companies are really strong and in others the companies don't gel as well. This may be down to ages, personalities, hobbies, morals, the prioritising of home life - particularly on tour with people wanting to dash home for the day off.
During a Skype chat with Paula we talked about joining circles and proving your capabilities in order to enter these circles. It was mentioned how some lucky people seem to skip this process and jump straight in through someone they know for example. We also spoke about how being part of a community gives yourself an identity, it makes you feel valued as a practitioner and part of something. I think amateur societies are a great example of this. It enables people to socialise, express theirselves, gain fulfilment, form life long relationships, have an escapism and separate identity.
'Social currency' is a term created by 'Bourdieu' in relation to Lave & Wenger's idea of communities. It relates to the idea of 'being in the know' i.e. the more networks and communities we are a part of, the better off we are and the more possessions we have. We went on to discuss with Lizzie and Victoria about this concept of 'being in the loop'. Ive spoken to friends and dancers alike that have said that they find this difficult to sustain when they've been on cruise ships because of wireless internet issues and the inability to stay current with affairs in the industry such as the number 1 hits. I remember getting back from Asia and not recognising any songs on the radio! When i got back i made a conscious effort to get to class in order to find out what was going on an such like. We also looked at the opposing in that when you are working abroad, you could say your'e in the loop but in a different one. You are still making connections and learning but outside of your normal circles and communities. I may not have recognised any music on the radio when i got back to England but i'd learnt about KPOP culture and some interesting dance moves.
Ethical considerations
These are often directed more to Web 2.0 communities. Understanding what can and can't be shared I.e. Cast announcements for new productions - it is essential to wait for the official press launch. We must think about use of language, images in respect to our desired and reachable audiences. In regards to real life communities and networks, i think more about my moral values. Things like: not using people, brown nosing, being stabbed in the back, ulterior motives etc.
"It's not what you know but who you know"
This must be one of the most well known sayings in the book but it is so true. How can such a valid statement be so contradictory though? I was reading 'Victoria's' blog and she made a comment that caused me to giggle, "People in my class used to get annoyed when some one copied their song choice." Our industry is massively competitive and understandably so! There are hundreds of us and so few jobs. At college in particular, I remember students being reluctant to share sheet music, audition information etc. However, with ours being such a challenging industry to break into surely we should be helping each other. My mother always said "treat others how you would want to be treated yourself" and I was definitely always taught to be polite - a concept towards networking that solely relates to your personal morals and professional ethics.
At college, I was sometimes quiet about auditions and things but it was for different reasons. I wasn't trying to reduce competition or be spiteful. I lacked a lot of confidence in my vocal ability and felt added pressure to do well with the more people knowing about auditions I was attending - I never even told my mum because being disappointed myself was one thing, but to have that feeling multiplied was something else. I couldn't face being asked how it went if I'd been unsuccessful or was gutted by a particular outcome. I always said, "if I have an audition and it goes well, you'll know about it." The above proves to me that I wasn't very self assured and demonstrated a lack of understanding back then. After gaining more experience and increasing reflection, I know realise that if I tell people about an audition that they can help me! My friend at work read through some script with me for an audition and gave me advice on how she thought the character may be feeling and on the vocal delivery. Something I hugely appreciated having minimal acting background. Rehearsing a conversation with yourself is extremely difficult in regards to timing, chemistry, bouncing off on another etc. If I'd of kept it to myself, I would have certainly hindered my performance in the room that day and the potential for work. It's important to speak to your peers. I find out about auditions, jobs and upcoming productions through chatting and socialising with friends. I also let my friends know if I hear information and pass on details. On the other hand, if my co-worker had've been of a horrible nature, she could've taken action to hinder my opportunities, this by making terrible suggestions for example.
Some teachers and dance school can be extremely competitive and refrain their student or employees from going elsewhere. This upsets me as the less you help one another, the more you isolate yourself as a practitioner and reduce your own professional community of networks. If i do a good job for someone whilst covering a class for example, I could potentially work for them again or get recommend to someone else. I could increase my own client base or if there was ever a time I required cover, the teacher may return the favour.
When attending an established performing arts school, you are often very lucky with the staff that teach you - it's most likely that they are in or have been in the business. Speaking with your teachers and maintaining a relationship with them is so important. I auditioned for a job and my old singing tutor was on the panel, I may not have been the strongest vocalist but he knew me and my work ethic which definitely helped me in the situation. I also attend regular classes at Pineapple studios. Many of the teachers there are performers or creatives involved in our industry so it is definitely beneficial, not only for continued development but to speak to them and give a positive impression.
What does it take to be a good networker?
Personable
Body language
Eye contact
Listening and responding
Language
.....Anything else???
