Building a Powerful Network: How Women Leaders Can Support Each Other
There’s a quiet myth in leadership that says there’s only room for one. One woman at the table. One seat at the top. One voice in the room.
But here’s the truth: we rise higher, faster, and stronger when we rise together.
Powerful leadership isn’t just about climbing the ladder, it’s about reaching back, across, and around to bring others with you. This post is about what it really means to build a strong, supportive network of women leaders, and how to start doing it on purpose.
Why Women Need Women in Leadership
Research confirms what many of us know intuitively: when women are connected to other women leaders, they’re more likely to be promoted, supported, and retained.
A strong network offers:
Visibility and opportunity
Mentorship and feedback
Encouragement when the path gets lonely
Shared wisdom across generations and industries
This isn’t just networking. It’s nourishing.
5 Ways Women Leaders Can Build and Strengthen Their Network
1. Give Without Keeping Score
Offer a connection. Recommend someone for a role. Share a template or a tip. The best networks aren’t transactional, they’re generous.
Ask yourself: Who can I lift today, even in a small way?
2. Make the First Move
Don’t wait to be invited into someone’s circle. Reach out. Express admiration. Ask to learn more about their work. Most great relationships start with one brave message.
Try this script: “Hi [Name], I really admire your work in [area]. If you're open to a quick virtual coffee sometime, I’d love to learn more about your leadership journey.”
3. Celebrate Loudly, Support Quietly
Visibility matters. Cheer on accomplishments publicly. But also check in quietly when someone is going through a challenge.
Do this: Leave a LinkedIn comment and send a private note. Both matter.
4. Create or Join Intentional Spaces
Don’t just hope to “bump into” the right people. Join women-led masterminds, mentorship circles, or informal leadership groups where deep connection is the goal, not just a stack of business cards.
Host your own: Invite 4–5 women you admire to a monthly virtual “leadership lab” where everyone shares one challenge and one win.
5. Keep Showing Up, Even When You’re the One Who Needs Support
The best networks are reciprocal. You don’t always have to be the strong one. Let others show up for you, too.
Try this: Share a leadership challenge with a peer and ask, “Have you ever navigated something like this?”
Your network isn’t just about who you know. It’s about who you grow with. Women supporting women isn’t a trend, it’s a leadership advantage. So lift, share, celebrate, and connect. Because when one of us moves forward, we all do.
Free Tool: Women’s Leadership Network Builder
This one-page worksheet helps you intentionally build and nurture your leadership network with space to identify key connections, give-first opportunities, and outreach goals.
Includes:
The 5 roles every strong network needs
A space to reflect on your give/get mindset
A 30-day outreach challenge to build deeper connections