Pathfinders are known for actively seeking new contacts while maintaining ties with their existing network. They balance the pursuit of fresh opportunities with a certain level of familiarity, making them adaptable in dynamic professional landscapes.
As a Practical Pathfinder, your strategy leans towards cultivating relationships with second-degree contacts—friends-of-friends or colleagues-of-colleagues—within your extended network, placing a stronger emphasis on these connections that are closer to your immediate circle. While you give priority to these more accessible contacts, you also recognize the value of reaching out to third-degree contacts. This approach allows you to explore new opportunities beyond your direct visibility, without losing sight of the importance of those closer, more connected individuals who can provide more immediate and relevant openings.
Here’s how you engage with other professionals
Focus in Team Dynamics: As a pathfinder you can balance familiar team dynamics with the introduction of new talents, adaptable to evolving workplace challenges.
Focus in Building Connections: You actively seek new contacts while maintaining ties with your existing network, blending fresh opportunities with a level of familiarity.
Impact on Success: Your broad network and diverse team composition provide them with innovative solutions and perspectives, often making you a trendsetter in your fields.
How can you get better?
Pathfinders should be cautious of overextending their network. Deepening some of these relationships can provide substantial support and resources when needed, ensuring a balance between breadth and depth in their connections. Building stronger bonds within their broader network can create a more resilient and supportive network. This balance ensures that they can leverage a wide range of contacts while having a reliable support system.
Here are a few resources that can help you!
- Don’t just network, build a system – Learn from the best
- Always connect with the right crowd – How to find them
- Remember the people you meet — An easy strategy for post-event networking – Find out how
- How to rewarm dormant relationships – Reach out this way
- Make sure to follow up after a meeting! – Do it systematically
- How to prioritize relationships according to Professor Dunbar – Click for expert insights
Who are your fellow networkers? Discover the Connection Compass universe
The Covve Connection Compass framework helps you recognize your networking tendencies, from focusing on deep, long-standing connections to seeking new contacts in uncharted territories. By identifying your primary networking style, you can strategize your networking efforts, balance deepening existing relationships with exploring new ones, and adapt your approach to suit different professional contexts and goals.
Find out who your fellow networkers are so that you can equip yourself for more strategic interactions based on others’ networking behaviors.
Anchors
Anchors are professionals who prioritize building and maintaining deep, meaningful connections. They believe in the power of a close-knit professional network, fostering personally fulfilling and professionally advantageous relationships.
Catalysts
Catalysts adeptly balance nurturing existing relationships with exploring new connections. They are skilled in using their current network as a springboard to reach out to new contacts, thereby maintaining a dynamic and versatile professional network.
Connectors
Connectors excel at networking through second-degree connections, effectively bridging different groups and communities. They are adept at expanding their network through known contacts, thus accessing a wide array of opportunities and insights.
Pathfinders
Pathfinders are known for actively seeking new contacts while maintaining ties with their existing network. They balance the pursuit of fresh opportunities with a certain level of familiarity, making them adaptable in dynamic professional landscapes.
Explorers
Explorers are characterized by their pursuit of entirely new connections, constantly expanding their network into uncharted territories. Their focus on broadening their network aligns with the modern professional landscape’s demand for innovation and cross-industry collaboration.
Updated on 16 Feb 2024.
