The Power of Personal Networks in Leadership

Peter Comrie Publisher WBN News – Okanagan and WBN News – Winnipeg
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There are moments in a leader’s life when the pace of doing slows just enough to allow for reflection, not about strategy or targets, but about something more fundamental: the people who have shaped us.

Those who believed in us before we believed in ourselves. Those who opened doors, extended invitations, asked thoughtful questions, or simply stood beside us when everything felt uncertain. These people, known and unknown, present and past, form what I now understand to be the quiet, resilient foundation of leadership: our personal networks.

This series, The Power of Personal Networks, was born not from a theoretical curiosity, but from decades of experience across boardrooms, construction sites, coaching sessions, conference stages, and even unexpected conversations on cross-country flights. It was born from the realization that no matter the industry or role, leadership is not a solo endeavor.

In a world that prizes independence, we forget: our greatest strength lies in connection. Our capacity to lead, influence, and grow is multiplied exponentially by the relationships we foster, not for what they can give us, but for who they help us become.

Through seven reflections, this series explores the nuanced, enduring, and often overlooked dimensions of networking, not as transactional exchange, but as an intentional, relational, and purpose-driven way of living.

You’ll find in these reflections an invitation to:

Look beyond quick contacts and toward lasting connection
Shift from visibility to value
Build relationships that challenge, comfort, and carry you
Cultivate your network like a long-term garden
Recognize that your legacy is shaped not by what you accumulate, but by who you uplift

More than anything, you’ll find a call to presence. Because networks don’t grow from ambition alone, they grow from care, curiosity, and the choice to consistently show up for others.

Whether you are early in your leadership journey or decades into your impact, I hope these reflections awaken something in you, a renewed reverence for the people who’ve helped you rise, and a bold commitment to becoming that person for someone else.

As you read, reflect, and engage, may you find yourself not only building your network, but becoming a catalyst within it.

Because in the end, the greatest leaders are not remembered for their position.

They are remembered for their presence.

Your fellow traveler in the long game of leadership

My best to you,

~peter~

Let’s Keep Talking!

Peter Comrie
Co-Founder and Human Capital Specialist at Full Spectrum Leadership Inc.
Reach out to me at peter@fullspectrumleadership.com

Or connect with me here to book a call!

Reach me on Linkedin; https://www.linkedin.com/in/petercomrie/

We can also chat on Bluesky: @petercomrie.bsky.social

Tags: leadership, personal networks, trust, connection, influence, relationships, executive coaching, leadership development, legacy, resilience, mentoring, communication, community building