108: How Ops Leaders Build the Peer Networks They Actually Need

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/108.

Networking is a bit different for ops execs. Most connections happen inside the company as you keep things humming along. You handle sensitive info and build trust across departments. So, most connections are low-profile.

If you started your career post-Covid, in this AI-powered world, old ways of networking—coffee chats, handshakes, conference mingling—feel ancient. Now it’s all posts, DMs and emojis. Sometimes you may wonder: Is anyone really out there?

I think of a client who’s been at her company since college. Ten years in, she’s doing well, but feels boxed in, with nowhere new to stretch or learn. She asked me: What am I missing? Should I just keep my head down and be grateful?

In today’s episode you’ll get 3 ways to find your people and build peer-driven networks that feel real and spark ideas and new perspective. 

Transcript

Networking is a bit different for ops execs. Most connections happen inside the company as you keep things humming along. You handle sensitive info and build trust across departments. So, most connections are low-profile.

If you started your career post-Covid, in this AI-powered world, old ways of networking—coffee chats, handshakes, conference mingling—feel ancient. Now it’s all posts, DMs and emojis. Sometimes you may wonder: Is anyone really out there?

I think of a client who’s been at her company since college. Ten years in, she’s doing well, but feels boxed in, with nowhere new to stretch or learn. She asked me: What am I missing? Should I just keep my head down and be grateful?

In today’s episode you’ll get 3 ways to find your people and build peer-driven networks that feel real, spark ideas and new perspective. Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/108.

Why Traditional Networking Fails Ops Executives

Hey Ops Execs, 

Networking today? Sometimes feels forced. It’s easy for it to become just another item on your packed to-do list, and a low-priority one, at that. You’re the glue that keeps it all together so things keep running—but who sees what you really do and can weigh in objectively? When you’re ready to move past tasks and think about growth, who can you share that with? And how can you connect without it feeling fake?

Here are a few ways peer networks can make a difference—and some ideas for how to get started.

3 Ways to Build Real Peer Ops Networks

Move 1: Depth Over Breadth
Don’t collect names. Find one peer who challenges you and listens. A sounding board with their own battle scars. Connect with people who actually get the operations grind. Start with a small circle: swap stories, compare notes, check in once a month or drop a spontaneous message when something’s on your mind.

Move 2: Peer Feedback for Growth
You need outside feedback. My client tried it with two peers from other companies and it was an absolute game changer for her. She got new ideas and real talk she’d never heard inside her team. Share how you handle problems, and ask how they’re handling theirs. Don’t be afraid to get practical—troubleshoot together and trade your favorite ops hacks, not just business cards.

Move 3: Model Vulnerability
Want connection? Be honest. Ask for help, admit what you don’t know. It builds trust. Show up real and o wn the fact that sometimes you’re learning as you go, because we ALL are. Yes, even the ones who seem like they’ve got it all together. 

The more you drop your guard, the easier it is for others to open up. Suddenly, you're not alone in figuring things out.

How Peer Networks Unlock Real Growth for Ops Leaders

When you dive into peer networks with real conversation, you can get a slew of benefits. For example, you can:

• Get practical help with sticky problems.
• Find out what’s really going on in your industry, and beyond
• Find new perspectives, camaraderie, and ways to work smarter, often from peers who understand your challenges.
• Have a safe place to “beta test” fresh ideas, approaches, or even messaging before you roll it out at work.
• Practice who you are outside your organization—try out your voice, your opinions, and experiment with your evolving professional brand.
• Discover new possibilities and grow into the leader you want to be, with honest feedback from outside your usual circles.

The possibilities are kind of endless. I know one leader who uses his peer network to bring startup-style energy to ops. They hold quick “mini hackathons” for tough problems and swap their best budget solutions when money is tight or they need a fresh idea.

I’ll leave you with this question. An invitation, really. Who could you reach out to for a risk-free, agenda-less chat this week? No plans, no pitch, just curiosity. Maybe someone from another department, or another company. Maybe an old classmate in ops. Try an employee resource group, a professional association, your alma mater, or even an online operations forum, if you’re not sure where to start.

It takes guts, but you might be surprised when you shake off the old rules, how easy it can be. I hope you try something new and see what opens up. Let me know how it goes!

And, if the thought of networking makes you feel shy or unsure how to start, you are definitely not alone. To hear more on breaking through the nerves, go listen to Episode 64 of my podcast. You’ll find practical tips and encouragement for starting connections, even when it feels intimidating. Tune in at YourFutureRealized.com/64.

You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.