Developing Champions in your Career and Life

I have been a long time reader of Humble Dollar and the excellent forum posts. I have been contributing a “Friday Thoughts” articles on my Linkedin page for several years. Today I want to post one of these articles for our youngsters on the importance of networking. Please let me know how much you like this and other topics you would like to hear about career and leadership.

Every year on my birthday, I receive a call from someone I met at work over 20 years ago — and in all these years, he has never missed a single one. No matter where he is in the world or how busy his day is, he always takes five minutes to wish me and have a quick chat. Out of curiosity, I once asked him how many such calls he makes — the number runs into the thousands. He has a rhythm, calling people across time zones, early mornings, afternoons, and late nights, expecting nothing in return. And yet, he is one of the most connected professionals I’ve ever met — someone who remembers his teachers, keeps in touch with colleagues from decades ago, and meets people whenever he can. From him, I’ve learned that real connections are built through small, consistent gestures, and they often leave the deepest impact.

Connections play a critical role in both our personal and professional lives. In this article, I want to focus on career connections — the relationships you build that can accelerate your growth.

Imagine this scenario:

Your company’s leadership team is in a closed-door meeting, discussing a high-visibility project for a new customer and deciding who should be on the core project team. You’ve been with the company for over five years, consistently delivering results and earning good raises. You’ve heard about this exciting project and want to be part of it.

But here’s the real question: Will your name even come up in that meeting? Will you be chosen?

This is where the power of champions comes in. Career growth isn’t just about skills and hard work — it’s equally about the connections you cultivate and the champions you develop. These are the leaders, mentors, and peers who believe in you, trust your abilities, and will speak up on your behalf when opportunities arise.

So, ask yourself:

• Who in your organization knows your work well enough to vouch for you?
• Who will ensure your name is on the table when critical decisions are made?

Building these connections and nurturing your champions is just as essential as sharpening your skills. After all, opportunities often come to those who are seen, supported, and spoken for.

Throughout your career, the relationships you build can play a critical role in your growth and success. These connections generally fall into three levels:

1. Supporters

These are people who have worked with you and know your capabilities, strengths, and work ethic. They could be peers, managers, directors, or even customers who have seen the value you bring. While they may not always be vocal, they respect your work and trust you. Your goal should be to consistently build and maintain this layer of support throughout your career.

2. Advocates

Advocates go a step further. They not only respect your work — they talk about it. They are vocal in appreciating your contributions and are often the ones who recommend you for opportunities. They have watched, admired, and truly believe in your capabilities.

3. Champions (The Game-Changers)

Champions are rare — you’ll likely have just one or two in your entire career. These are the people who believe in you completely. They love your work, trust your judgment, and want you on their team. If they move to a new company or take on a bigger role, they’ll try to bring you along.

Building this level of trust takes years of consistently delivering great work and adding real value. I’ve been fortunate to have two such champions in my career. They pushed me hard, demanded excellence, and mentored me — but they also stood by me, supported my growth, and opened doors that helped me evolve as a leader.

Final Thoughts

Focus on your skills. Deliver exceptional work. But equally, invest in relationships — find mentors, leaders, and colleagues you can learn from. Give them reasons to trust you, stay connected, and help them succeed.

When you do this, you won’t just grow your network — you’ll create a circle of supporters, advocates, and champions who will ensure you’re always in the conversation for the next big project, promotion, or opportunity.

All the best on your journey!

#Careers #Relationships #Champions