What If Networking Was the Best Part of Your Week?
Redefining Networking: A Human-First Approach for Real Connection
What if networking wasn’t something you dreaded?
Let’s be honest: Networking usually sounds exhausting.
You picture a crowded room, awkward small talk, people pretending to be interested while looking over your shoulder for someone more important.
You prep your elevator pitch, push through a bunch of repetitive conversations, and maybe walk away with a few business cards you’ll never use.
Even if the event was “good,” you leave feeling drained.
And what sticks in your memory isn’t the connections.
It’s the fatigue.
That’s why so many people swear off networking entirely.
But here’s the thing: that version of networking? It’s not the only version.
This issue takes about 5 minutes to read…
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Real networking isn’t an event.
It’s a conversation
Not an event.
Not a strategy.
Not a dozen steps involving pitches and follow-ups.
Just a simple conversation with another human being.
It should really be called: “Conversing.”
I’ve gone to some good events lately.
They had people I knew, people I wanted to see.
I still came home wrecked.
It took a full day before I wanted to talk to anyone again.
That feeling, worn out, unsure it was worth it, that’s what sticks.
No wonder people avoid it.
But there’s another way. And it works better.
It could be:
A walk with someone you respect
A quick catch-up message to a former coworker
A short Zoom chat with someone you’d like to get to know better
It’s one moment of connection. That’s it.
No name tags, no pressure, no small talk performance.
If you’ve ever walked away from a one-on-one conversation and thought, That was actually fun, then you’ve already done real networking.
Learn to network your way
I don’t love big events.
I go to them sometimes, but I don’t grow my network there.
I grow it from the office where I’m typing this newsletter today, one conversation at a time.
Because I’ve learned how to do it on my terms:
Schedule: I plan networking calls when they work for me (and for the other person).
Space: I do most of them from home, sometimes at a coffee shop.
Style: One-on-one, real conversations. No pitching. No pretending.
And here’s the wild part:
I look forward to them.
I check my calendar and think, Oh cool, I get to talk to [name] this week. That’s going to be fun.
Yes, I said “fun.”
That’s the word people forget.
Networking should feel good.
Connecting with someone interesting, helping them out, or just hearing something useful. It should give you a boost.
This week, change the way you think about networking
For the record, if you like big events and speed networking and walking away with 14 new LinkedIn contacts, good for you.
That’s your style. Do it.
But if it drains you, you don’t have to keep forcing it.
Forget events. Forget doing it “the right way.”
Instead, ask yourself this:
Who’s one person I actually want to talk to?
It could be a:
Coworker you’ve lost touch with
Friend you haven’t connected with in a while
Person you’ve been meaning to reach out to but haven’t yet
Send them a quick message.
Set up a short conversation.
That’s it.
You don’t have to ask for anything.
Just connect.
Be curious. Be helpful if you can.
You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it.
I have a favor to ask:
If you liked this newsletter, here’s your mission:
Forward it to one person who you have heard say, “I hate networking.”
They probably haven’t tried it this way.
And if you try the “one conversation” this week, let me know how it goes.
I’d love to hear what you learn.
Until next week,
Always be connecting,
- Greg (aka “The Introverted Networker”)
Best Things I Found Online This Week:
Not sure how to re-connect with a co-worker? Have you thought about using a LinkedIn recommendation to do it?
If you have to go to networking event, Kieran Snyder has some tips to make the most of it.
How do you follow-up after a networking conversation? Jenny Wood has you covered with the ultimate “follow-up script.”
I agree that the best conversations don't always happen in big places. I also think that if anxiety and "ugh" are the energy you bring in the door, they're what people will sense from you in having that conversation. I look at big events as times to observe and expose yourself to who's out there that you can then follow up with.