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Earlier this year I offered a post asking you about the circles in which you socialized, hung out, networked.  It’s here if you need a refresher.

© Rawpixel - Fotolia.com

© Rawpixel – Fotolia.com

Today I’m sharing a list that might inspire you to add even more diversity, interest, excitement, dimension, real power, and (dare I say it) fun, energy, and enjoyment to your network.

I shared some of this list recently while facilitating an interactive workshop to a group of corporate leaders. Our discussion that day wasn’t just about networking. It was about building a truly powerful, useful network that works for you, enriches you, engages you, inspires you, and keeps you in the loop on what’s really going on in, not just in your sphere but far, far beyond.

So here’s The List. Do you have these people in your network? And who else would you add?

  • Friends
  • Family
  • People in your next job (or business)
  • People who’ve done what you want to do
  • People about to do what you’re about to do
  • Mentors
  • Mentees
  • Role models
  • People who will give you specific, constructive, honest, objective feedback
  • People who will help you take your next step, whether it’s big or tiny
  • People who are there for you, even when you fail or mess up
  • Energizers
  • Fun people
  • People who like to dance
  • People who like to do the stuff you like to do
  • People who like to do stuff you haven’t tried yet
  • Serious people
  • Resilient people
  • Fellow adventurers
  • Connectors
  • Listeners
  • Mavens
  • Leaders
  • Emerging leaders
  • Emerging leaders who don’t even know they’re emerging leaders yet
  • Peers
  • Competitors
  • People older than you
  • People younger than you
  • People from other cultures
  • People with other beliefs
  • People who read
  • People who go places and do stuff
  • People who know the stuff you don’t know
  • Functional experts
  • Operational experts
  • Strategic minds
  • Tactical minds
  • Creative minds
  • Practical minds
  • Gatekeepers
  • Influencers
  • Champions
  • Opinion leaders
  • Thought leaders
  • Calm people
  • Energizer Bunny people
  • Enemies
  • Enemies of your enemies
  • Industry leaders
  • Thinkers
  • Feelers
  • Creatives
  • People like you
  • People not like you

People you should avoid at all costs:

  • Drainers
  • Negative Nellies
  • Psychic Vampires of the Apocalypse
  • Chronic brain pickers
  • Paralyzed Pollies
  • Anyone who sucks the life, the brilliance, the love, and the fire out of you

Would you debate any of these suggestions?  Who would you add to or take off of either list?