The Power of Networking: How to Build Meaningful Career Connections
Your network is your net worth’ might be a leadership cliché, but like many clichés, it’s stuck around for a reason: it’s true.
According to LinkedIn, 70% of professionals hired in 2016 had a connection at their company. And 80% say networking is vital to their career success.
Still, for many high performers, networking feels like a chore. A checkbox. Something you do when you're job hunting, or when you're cornered into awkward conversation at a cocktail hour.
That mindset limits not only your impact, but your opportunities.
Here’s what I’ve learned after years of showing up: the people who leave a lasting impression aren’t the ones with the flashiest bios or the most polished elevator pitch. It’s the ones who listen. The ones who show up curious, fully present, with no agenda other than to connect.
In a world that’s loud, fast, and transactional, presence is a power move.
Transactional to Intentional:
When you treat networking as a one-off interaction, it becomes awkward and extractive. But when you approach it as a consistent, generous practice, everything changes.
Take it from me, the best networkers aren’t the most extroverted. They’re the most intentional.
According to Harvard Business Review, you can reframe your entire approach by focusing on four things:
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Focus on Learning
Let go of the pressure to impress. Be curious. Ask better questions. The best connections are sparked by genuine interest. -
Identify Common Interests
People remember alignment, shared values, mutual goals, parallel paths. That’s what makes relationships meaningful. -
Think Broadly About What You Can Give
You don’t need influence to be valuable. You can offer insight, encouragement, visibility, or connection. Contribution creates trust. -
Find a Higher Purpose
When networking serves a larger mission—advancing your industry, supporting your team, making room for others—it becomes energizing, not exhausting.
Here are 3 powerful ways to build a stronger network this month:
→ Reach out before you need something
Check in with a former colleague, mentor, or peer. Share an article, celebrate a win, or just say hello. Warm connections stay strong.
Put it into practice: Choose one person this week you haven’t spoken to in a while. Send them a short note of appreciation or a link to something they’d find interesting.
→ Start small and steady
You don’t need to network with 50 people. Start with one meaningful conversation each month. That’s it. Small steps compound.
Put it into practice: Block 30 minutes on your calendar next week for a virtual coffee chat with someone new or someone you’ve been meaning to reconnect with.
→ Be generous with recognition
Give a shoutout, a thank-you, or a quiet “I see you.” People remember how you make them feel far longer than what you do.
Put it into practice: Comment publicly on someone’s post, endorse a skill on LinkedIn, or write a 3-sentence recommendation for someone who’s made a difference in your work.
You don’t need to attend every event or collect a thousand business cards.
You just need to show up. Consistently. Generously. Authentically.
Because the truth is, opportunities often arrive through people long before they arrive through postings. And the best time to invest in your network is before you need it.
If you’re ready to grow your influence and build genuine connections, Super Connected: Strategies for Networking Like a Pro is a great place to start.
This self-paced course gives you five networking power practices you can implement right away to build real relationships, without the awkward small talk or transactional energy. You’ll learn how to connect with purpose, develop your own authentic style, and seek out new professional opportunities through the power of people.
→ Sign up here to start building a network that works for you.
I'm rooting for you!
CURATED PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
for the leader who wants to dig a little deeper
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