21st century networking: Redefined. Reframed. Reimagined. De-cringed

Ever wondered how to create a network that actually works for you - without the cringy schmoozing and spreadsheets?

Networking has a strange reputation. It’s consistently talked about as one of those things successful ambitious people should be doing. Build your network. Increase your visibility. Make connections. Get out there. But in truth one of the top things which gets business people stuck is building their network

So mention the word to many of the smart, successful people we work with and the response is often remarkably similar, "Please, anything but networking"

Because somewhere along the way, networking became synonymous with collecting contacts, working rooms, making small talk, and cultivating people who might one day prove “useful”. A soulless chore with a spreadsheet mentality

But what if that isn’t good networking at all?

“Just because you are speaking in my direction does not mean that we are communicating”

That, for us, captures the problem rather insightfully. Being in contact isn’t the same as being connected. The network matters. The old approach doesn’t

Research continues to show that professional relationships matter enormously. In fact, recent research in the Journal of Vocational Behavior examined networking with leaders and its relationship with career success. It found that building and maintaining professional relationships can create access to information, resources and career opportunities

This isn’t simply about knowing more people. Research on networks has repeatedly demonstrated the surprising value of connections beyond our closest circle. A large-scale study published in Science, involving more than 20 million people, provided causal evidence that relatively weak social ties can play an important role in job mobility

So networks do matter, but a lot of us have confused the size of the network with the quality of the connecting

Most of us will be delighted to know the truth; if you schmooze, you lose

Not literally. But at Progressfull, we think in today's world there’s a much smarter way to approach networking

21st-century networking isn’t about accumulating contacts. It’s about unlocking relationships

Not How many people do I know? but Who could I learn from to help me enhance my approach?

Not Who might be useful to me? but Where could we help one another to move things forward?

Not How do I work the room? but How do I have one really good conversation that might lead to insights I can apply at work?

Not How do I make myself interesting? but How interested can I be in someone else to help them succeed?

Suddenly the skills that matter look rather different. Curiosity rather than charisma.
 Generosity rather than self-promotion.
 Judgement rather than bravado.
 Courage rather than calculation

So we have redefined, reframed and reimagined networking. Less old school networking more Connecting courageously

Here’s the exciting bit. You don’t need to start by building an enormous new network. You already have one. Former colleagues. Clients. Suppliers. Previous bosses. Friends. The brilliant person you worked with eight years ago. Someone in another part of your organisation. The person you met once and immediately clicked with

The opportunity is to become much more mindful about who you connect with, why you connect with them, and how you turn contact into genuine connection, that enhances business results. Because your next perspective, piece of informal advice, introduction, collaboration or opportunity may already be sitting somewhere within your existing network. No schmoozing necessary

Ready to de-cringe your networking?

That’s exactly why we’ve created the Connecting courageously Mini Masterclass

We’ll help you evaluate the network you already have, identify who to connect with and when, learn how to ask courageously, and use your curiosity, empathy, judgement and social skill to create stronger, mutually beneficial relationships that enhance business results - both today and in the future

It’s networking redefined, reframed and reimagined for the way we actually work now

Less collecting. More connecting

Less transaction. More relationship

Less schmoozing. More curiosity

Stop networking the old way. Start Connecting Courageously

Explore the Connecting courageously Mini Masterclass here — and start unlocking relationships to help you succeed