• Networking is often misunderstood, leading many professionals to shy away from it or approach it with the wrong mindset. Let’s debunk some common myths that can hinder your success. (Link)

• The networking trick that always blows people’s minds (Link)

• Where the true value of networking comes from, according to Simon Sinek. (Link)

• Power Networker: Adam Grant

• Biz: Organizational psychologist at Wharton, #1 NYT bestselling author of HIDDEN POTENTIAL and THINK AGAIN, and host of the TED podcasts WorkLife and Re:Thinking

• Leadership Strategy: “Good leaders build products. Great leaders build cultures. Good leaders deliver results. Great leaders develop people. Good leaders have vision. Great leaders have values. Good leaders are role models at work. Great leaders are role models in life."

• Primary Channels: LinkedIn (5.4M), Twitter X (859k), Facebook (510k)

• Networking Advice:

  “The idea of networking has always made me a little uncomfortable. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one... Networking can be forced, cringe-worthy or worse. But it doesn't have to be that way. The point here is to turn the whole idea of traditional networking on its head. If you want to build a network of people who recognize your value, don't focus on what you can get. Figure out what you can give.”

DEEP DIVE
⭐ Featured Article

Life Isn't Fair. Neither Is Networking, Apparently.

I recently referred someone in my business networking group to a different group. They told him he could join if he agreed to quit my group...

I’ve been running business networking groups for nearly 25 years. As many people know, I am a big believer in networking.

But networking isn’t always fair.

Or do I say rarely fair?

Some people give much more than they receive. Others just take, take, take.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard remarks similar to …

Many professionals don’t seem to strive for equality when it comes to networking.

The Status of Networking Organizations

But what about the networking organizations themselves? The ones that should be focusing on bringing people together in fair and mutually beneficial ways and setting the bar for a “win-win” networking environment?

Recently, I was approached by a networking group member who wanted to increase his networking activities. Since our group met monthly, I suggested an alternative local networking group to compliment his participation in our group.

He returned the next day and told me in frustration that he wasn’t joining the group.

“Why?” I curiously asked.

He replied, “They were grateful that you referred me, but said I would have to quit your networking group to join theirs in order to stay in compliance with their organization’s policies and values.”

Sure enough, when I went to the organization’s website it clearly stated:

Aren’t we beyond that already?

Apparently not.

Here are some horror stories that professionals shared with me regarding the “unfairness” in networking over the years:

• “My networking group terminated my membership because I missed a few meetings while getting chemotherapy for cancer.”

• “I introduced a member in my networking group to one of my largest clients. He aggressively tried to hard sell her so much that my client blamed me and I lost her business.”

• “Against my better judgement, I was coerced by my business networking group’s leadership team to refer my parents to our group’s exclusive financial planner. He lost them over $100k investing in high-risk stocks.”

So, what can we do about it?

The Future of Networking

The future of business networking will include more equitable distribution of efforts, technology platforms that insure mutually beneficial relationships, and higher accountability.

After all, if the dating world could do it why can’t the business world?

On the dating platforms, we’ve seen great strides in efficient connecting (swiping), pairing members with mutually beneficial goals (matching) and improved accountability (reporting systems & user screening).

The good news is that we should see some similar advancements in business networking in the coming months,

It’s long overdue.

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