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In order to make a developmental network become an entrepreneurial one you must first diversify your mentors. An entrepreneurial network “span(s) multiple groups or subnetworks” (Higgins & Kram, 2001, pg. 271). Therefore, you must have mentors from a variety of social systems. These could include work, school, church, friends or family systems. Another core factor of entrepreneurial networks is that the mentors and mentees have strong ties to each other. Ties refers to the level of “reciprocity, mutuality, and interdependence” (Higgins & Kram, 2001, pg. 269) displayed in the mentor/mentee relationship. Once both of these conditions are met, you are likely to have a solid entrepreneurial network. What activities might help you strengthen the diversity within your network? Things stemming from the article that I could do in a day: Evaluate which mentors are most important to my network, and who could fill in any gaps I have. Things stemming from the article that I will do this month: Reach out to current/former professors of mine to establish a mentor/mentee relationship with them. Things stemming from the article I will do within a year: Build stronger ties with each member of my network. What activities might help you strengthen the relationships within your network? Things I could do in a day: Learn more about my mentors outside of the social system to which they are assigned. For example, learning more about Carol outside of work and possibly becoming friends outside of work. I could do this by inviting her to events or social time outside of the office. Things I will do this month: Communicate more frequently with my mentors. Things I will do within a year: Increase the reciprocity between me and the mentors with whom I share little or none. References: Higgins, M. C., Kram, K. E. (2001). Reconceptualizing mentoring at work: A developmental network perspective. Academy of Management Review 26(2), 264-288. Available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/259122.
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