Hi All,Over the last few years of my career, after work drinks talks, review of past / present forums amongst other things, there is one subject that is continually raised and I find it fairly fascinating:If you are a mid manager in an MC, what is more important, your ability to network or ability to deliver?Off course, the easy answer is "...both are key to success! One without the other will ultimately lead to problems"However, the debate then always goes to "but if you had to choose, which one would you consider numero uno!?!"Opinions welcomed.PS Yes even at after work drinks we sadly do have these kind of discussions. I've never been a big fan of golf...

In true consulting style, answering this Q requires setting given assumptions. I'll provide my own:1) It is a question of which of the two (n'workg/delivery) will enable you to "get ahead" further and quicker.2) Delivery is a given - a "hygiene factor", if you will. It comes down to technical ability, organisational skills, intelligence, and the basic things, without which, no aspiring MC should have arrived at mid-mgt level in the first place. Of course, standard of delivery can vary, but he/she who does not deliver the required quiality will not be in the "getting ahead potential" pool anyway. As long as the above assumptions are true, then numero "one" (in the words of Alan Partridge), is Networking. As your ability to spread word of your work and market yourself (=networking) is what will set you apart.

Look for a journal articles by 'Luthans' called "Successful v Effective Managers"...should clear things up for you, and will also look good when you can drop it in to your after work drinks......actually, no I retract that, referring to journal articles in a pub environment will make you look like a tit, but still worth a google search...