TIN #134 - Networking at Work: When & Where to Build Meaningful Connections
The Secret to Building Strong Workplace Relationships
Internal networking is one of the most overlooked career boosters—AND it’s one of the most powerful ways to improve trust, engagement, and retention in an organization.
But if you’re like most professionals, you might be wondering:
“When and where should I actually be networking inside my company?”
Today, I’ll walk you through three key places in any organization where internal networking can (and should) happen.
Whether you’re an individual contributor looking to grow your career or an HR leader considering how to encourage employees to connect, these are high-impact opportunities you can’t afford to miss.
This issue takes about 5 minutes to read…
Before We Get Started:
My online course, “5 Steps To Grow Your Professional Network,” is FREE for all my newsletter subscribers. Learn the process I use everyday to grow my professional network.
Each week, I post a new podcast with tips you’ll find in the weekly newsletter and bonus stories, wisdom, and motivation. The Introverted Networker podcast is like the weekly newsletter but with additional narration and thoughts from me. Be sure to listen to this week’s podcast and check out the previous episodes of the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more networking tips and insights.
The video version of the podcast is available on my YouTube channel.
1. Company On-Sites and Off-Sites
Your company likely has an annual or semi-annual event where employees gather to talk strategy, align on goals, and (hopefully) build relationships.
These used to be called “off-sites” when everyone worked in the office, but now they might be “on-sites” if your workforce is remote or hybrid.
Either way, they bring people together for a rare face-to-face experience.
The problem?
Most companies assume that employees naturally know how to connect at these events.
But many people, especially introverts, find these large gatherings overwhelming and struggle to build meaningful relationships in the moment.
🔹 If you’re an HR leader – Don’t miss the chance to train employees on how to network during these events.
A simple session on conversation strategies, relationship-building, and follow-up habits can turn an on-site from a wasted social hour into a powerful networking opportunity.
🔹 If you’re an employee – Treat your company on-site like a conference.
Plan ahead:
Who do you want to meet?
What conversations do you want to have?
Follow up afterward.
The relationships you build here can lead to better collaboration, trust, and future career opportunities.
🚀 Action Step: Before your next on-site, make a list of five people you’d like to connect with and plan an introduction or follow-up message in advance.
Need more ideas? Check out TIN #015 - How to network at conferences - part 1
2. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are communities within an organization, often formed around shared identities or interests—such as women’s leadership, cultural groups, veterans, or early-career professionals.
These groups exist to foster inclusion, but they’re also one of the best networking opportunities inside a company.
🔹 If you’re an HR leader – ERGs already bring people together, but do members know how to extend those connections outside of their group?
A networking-focused session can help them learn how to navigate the organization, build cross-departmental relationships, and expand their influence.
🔹 If you’re an employee – ERGs give you a structured way to meet new people.
Take it a step further: Don’t just engage in the group—use it as a launching pad to connect with others outside your immediate circle.
Ask for introductions. Set up coffee chats. Build relationships that can support your growth inside the company.
🚀 Action Step: If you’re in an ERG, reach out to one new member this week and schedule a 15-minute virtual or in-person chat to get to know them better.
3. Leadership Development Programs
Many companies have leadership development programs where selected employees go through structured training and rotations.
These programs offer incredible networking opportunities—both for participants and for those outside the program.
🔹 If you’re an HR leader – Are you teaching these future leaders how to network?
Some participants will naturally build relationships, while others (especially introverts) might not know how to maintain connections after the program ends.
Networking should be built into leadership development, ensuring these employees leave with strong, lasting professional relationships.
🔹 If you’re an employee – Even if you’re not in the program, you should be networking with the people who are.
Why? Because these individuals are gaining access to key decision-makers and learning valuable insights about the company.
If you build relationships with them now, they’ll remember and support you in the future.
🚀 Action Step: Identify one person in your company’s leadership program and start a conversation—ask them about their experience, what they’re learning, and how they see the organization evolving.
Make Networking a Habit, Not Just an Event
Networking inside your company shouldn’t just happen at special events—it should be a continuous habit.
Whether you’re attending an on-site, joining an ERG, or engaging with leadership programs, you have opportunities all around you to build relationships.
Take action this week: Pick one of the three opportunities I’ve outlined and make a deliberate effort to connect with someone.
A simple conversation today can open doors you never expected.