Productivity is not only about how time is spent — it is also about who that time is spent with. The people in a professional network have a significant influence on progress towards goals, on motivation, and on the quality of thinking and decision-making. Understanding and actively shaping that network is one of the most underrated tools available for achieving meaningful outcomes.
People and Time
When evaluating how productive a day has been, the instinct is to focus on tasks completed and time spent working. But there is another important part of the productivity equation: who that time was spent with. The people in a professional's life either lift them forward or pull focus away from what matters most.
That does not mean that people who create distraction are bad people. There will always be periods when specific goals require a particular kind of focus, and at those times it is important to be deliberate about who has access to time and energy. Building a network that supports progress — rather than one that simply fills time — is a conscious and ongoing choice.
Communication
Communication is a key element of building and maintaining the right network for goal achievement. Some people have a habit of distracting others from important tasks — not out of malice, but simply because they do not register that focused work is taking place. This is particularly familiar to anyone who works from home.
Being clear about working time — whether paid or unpaid, anything that moves a person towards their goals — is essential. When someone knows clearly what they want to achieve and feels a genuine connection to those goals, it becomes easier to decline requests that would pull them away. Politely explaining that a goal cannot be achieved if focus is constantly interrupted is a reasonable and professional response. Most people, when given that context, will understand.
The next time someone attempts to take time away from focused work, the most effective response is to explain calmly that meeting their request at that moment is not possible, and offer an alternative time. Protecting time is not anti-social — it is professional.
Network Audits
Once the habit of protecting time has been established, the next step is to take a serious look at the network itself. Thinking about the types of conversations that take place with the people in a professional's life is a useful starting point. Do those conversations educate, inform, or energise? Or do they consistently create unhappy or unproductive feelings?
The people to invest in — and those to spend less time with — can be identified by considering three categories:
1. Stop
Improving a network is not about abandoning relationships. Small, sustainable changes make a significant difference. Identifying the people who consistently drain energy or distract from goals — and gradually reducing the time spent with them — creates space for more productive connections.
2. Start
There is almost always someone who has already achieved what a professional is working towards. Seeking out those people — whether they are accessible within the existing network or further afield — and getting into the environments where they operate creates opportunity for inspiration, learning, and connection. Deep relationships with every such person are not necessary; proximity and exposure alone can be valuable.
3. Continue
Some relationships are worth consistent investment. Dedicating regular time in the calendar to catching up with the people who bring out the best in a professional's thinking and work is time well spent. Consistency matters more than intensity here — a ten-minute conversation on a regular basis is more valuable than an occasional long meeting. The key is to keep the momentum going.
How Professional Academy Supports Your Journey
Networking, communication, and personal effectiveness are core management and leadership competencies. Professional Academy offers a range of CMI-accredited management and leadership qualifications available via flexible distance learning, designed to develop the skills that support both professional relationships and career progression. To find out which programme is the right next step, use the Qualifications Navigator or book a call with the admissions team.
