Networking Skills Evaluation

Whoever coined the word “networking” needs to go to jail. Ask 10 people how to do it, you’ll get ten different answers. And that’s the problem. Because networking isn’t one skill. It’s FIVE. Unless you know which one you’re practicing, you’ll always leave events feeling like you “didn’t network enough.” Here’s the breakdown: 1. The Skill of Initiating The courage to walk up, introduce yourself, and open a conversation that isn’t empty small talk. Start with something real enough to spark interest, but light enough not to overwhelm. Most people fail here because they wait for the “perfect moment.” 2. The Skill of Listening Sounds cliché, but it isn’t. Great connectors aren’t the smoothest talkers, they’re the sharpest listeners. The right questions make people open up. A direct pitch kills networking. Listening makes it come alive. 3. The Skill of Positioning The least discussed skill. Positioning isn’t bragging. It’s telling your story so it sticks. A one-liner people can carry with them and repeat when you’re not in the room. Confuse them, and you’ve lost them. 4. The Skill of Following Up The most underrated. A conversation without follow-up is just noise. Real networking begins the next day—when you show you remembered, cared, and chose to continue. 5. The Skill of Compounding Networking isn’t built in a single night. It’s the compounding of tiny touchpoints over years. That stranger in the coffee line becomes an ally when you’ve shown up enough times with small acts of value. Now here’s the thing: You can’t master all five at once. And you shouldn’t even try. At your next event, pick one. Maybe it’s just practicing your opener. Maybe it’s testing your one-liner. Maybe it's religiously sticking to your follow-up. Get one right. Build momentum. Then move on to the next Because networking isn’t a gift. It’s not “some people have it, others don’t.” It’s a learned skill. And like every other skill, it’s mastered piece by piece—not in one grand performance. So stop treating networking like a mystical ability. Start training it like the craft it actually is. Which of the five are you good at? Which one do you struggle with? #networking #communication #collaboration #mindset #work #skills #event

"You are so interesting to talk to!" My networking partner said this after our coffee chat last week. Plot twist: I barely talked about myself. For 45 minutes, I asked about her career transition. Her challenges with remote team management. What she was learning about AI implementation. I listened. Asked follow-up questions. Showed genuine curiosity about her experience. She did 80% of the talking. Yet somehow, I was the "interesting" one. This reminded me of something negotiation expert Chris Voss teaches: interested people are interesting!!! It sounds backwards, but it works. The best networking conversations I have had? I spent most of them learning about the other person's journey, not pitching my own. The strongest professional relationships I have built? They started with me asking "What's the most challenging part of your role right now?" instead of leading with my resume. Here's what I have learned about building real connections: Stop trying to be impressive. Start being impressed by others. Ask questions that matter to them. Listen like their answer will teach you something new. Because it probably will. The fastest way to become memorable is to make others feel heard. What's the best question you have been asked in a networking conversation? What made it so good?

💡What would someone say about you if a potential employer back-channeled to an old colleague of yours? Your network is more than a collection of contacts...it's a gateway to your next opportunity. 👉 Do you know how others perceive you at work? 👉 Would anyone advocate for you if asked? 👉 How would people describe their experience working with you? In the past two months alone, I've been contacted six times for backchannel feedback on people in my network. Some were close connections I still speak with regularly. Others were from roles three jobs ago. Yet, my experience with them still shaped my response. Your brand isn’t just built by what you say. It's reinforced by what others say about you. So, here’s the real question: If someone had to explain who you are and what it’s like to work with you, what would you want them to say? Here are three immediate tactics to validate or change perception: 🚀 Rapid Reputation Reset: Ask a trusted colleague or mentor (inclusive of context for the ask): "What is your experience working with me?" The goal isn't just to gather compliments - it's to uncover blind spots. Feedback is a gift; use it. 🔥 Network with Purpose: Stop collecting connections and start cultivating advocates. Follow up meaningfully, add value, and be the person others want to recommend. Networking is more than a numbers game! 🎯 Brand-Action Alignment: Want to be seen as reliable? Be reliable. As collaborative? Collaborate. Identify the traits you want to be known for and show them consistently. Be the brand you want to project. 🔺 If the perception doesn’t match your intention, how will you bridge that gap? 🔺 What’s one small shift you can make this week to strengthen how others perceive you? #Networking #CareerGrowth #Reputation #Coaching

⁉️ Why most high performers struggle with networking (and how to fix it) Recently, I coached a young, highly driven leader with us at Siemens. Top performer. Critical project. Full ownership of his “baby.” And yet — when we spoke about his next career step, he hit a wall. Not because of skills. Not because of performance. But because of one thing: 👉 His network was too narrow. This is something I see often in IT, leadership, and project environments: When you're deeply committed to delivery, networking feels like a nice-to-have. Until it suddenly becomes a must-have. 💡 So we turned insight into action. Here’s what we agreed on: 1. Block time — or it won’t happen → 2 hours per week, dedicated only to networking → Focus deliberately outside his immediate project bubble 2. Start with “low-hanging fruit” → Reconnect with former colleagues and contacts → Relationships don’t need to start from zero 3. Use the “+2 rule” At the end of every conversation: 👉 “Who are 2 people you think I should connect with?” This single question compounds your network faster than anything else. 4. Build a feedback loop Every Friday, 10 minutes of reflection: → “How did I invest in my network this week — and what did I learn?” 5. Add accountability We set a simple goal: → 3 meaningful conversations in 3 weeks → Follow-up session to review outcomes 🚀 My observation after years in leadership & IT: Careers rarely stall because of lack of competence. They stall because of lack of visibility, perspective, and connections. Your network is not a side activity. It is your long-term career infrastructure. ❓ Now I’m curious: What’s one networking habit or hack that has actually worked for you? Drop it in the comments — let’s learn from each other 👇 #Leadership #Networking #CareerGrowth #ITLeadership #Coaching #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #Management #TechLeadership

Networking is a career-changing skill…But how exactly do you do that effectively❓Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to mastering professional networking etiquette: ① 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ↳ Know exactly what insights you’re seeking to make it easy for others to help. ➤ Clear goals lead to clear answers! ② 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ↳ Leverage common interests or shared affiliations to make introductions smoother. ➤ A genuine connection turns a stranger into an ally. ③ 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 ↳ Approach each conversation eager to learn and understand others. ➤ People notice authenticity and remember how you make them feel. ④ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 ↳ Ask for guidance, and let job opportunities arise naturally. ➤ When you ask for advice, opportunities follow. ⑤ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 ↳ Share resources or connections that genuinely benefit your network. ➤ Generosity builds stronger connections than transactions ever will. ⑥ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 ↳ Always acknowledge the time and effort people share with you. ➤ A simple thank-you note can deepen relationships dramatically. ⑦ 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 ↳ Stay in touch regularly; people value hearing about your progress. ➤ Regular check-ins keep relationships alive and thriving. ———————————— Your professional network grows strongest when you build authentic connections. Confidence and genuine curiosity always lead to opportunities. 💬 Which networking etiquette tip has helped you most in your career? Share below! ♻️ Repost and tag someone who needs to see this! #NetworkingTips #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment

90% of people starting a Climate Career waste their networking calls 😭 Here’s how you turn networking into a goldmine 👇 For context: If you spend all this upfront energy on: → Finding the right people to network with. → Craft a good message. → Send it to people. → Schedule time. → Call prep. So you can talk to somebody for 20 minutes. You should maximize the networking game for results 💪. You do that by focusing on two things. (no. 2 is most important!) 👇 1️⃣ Understand WHAT and HOW → What is their job and How they do their job? Focus on the following: → The lingo they use to describe their job. → What makes them successful? → Which skills they use most? → What KPIs they track? → What they love? Have your questions ready. Steer the conversation to maximize your learning. Then use your new smarts to change how you talk about your transferable skills. FYI: This works best if you talk with somebody who has the job you want. 2️⃣ Deliver Value (Most Important!) Here’s the simple question you ask to transform every networking call: ❓“Which company challenge in [enter your primary skill] keeps not getting solved because of limited bandwidth?”❓ Pay very close attention to how they answer this. Ask clarifying questions along the way. Listen carefully and take notes. Don’t solve the problem on the spot. Write the problem down. After the call, take a moment to articulate your solution to it. Tell a story of “how you solved this exact issue at your last company”. Send it as part of your “thank you for your time” email. 👉 You will be amazed by how easily people will see the value you can bring to their team. And the moment you deliver value, all kinds of doors open for you. Use this strategy to make yourself successful 🙌 —— PS. Want to transition into a Climate Career? 👉 Consider applying to the Climate Drift Career Accelerator for mid-career professionals. Our last cohort had an NPS of 64 (above Apple) and a 4.6/5 stars satisfaction rate. Plus we’re getting reviews like: 😍 1️⃣ “This is truly like no cohort out there! (I've done a few). The intimate community setting and amazing, intelligent speakers are unmatched.” 2️⃣ ”I learned SO MUCH and feel 10x more equipped for my climate career goals than before.” 3️⃣ “10 out of 10: The content is in-depth and interesting, and gives the cohort opportunities to get involved by tackling challenges hands on (which in my opinion, is the best way to learn!)”

The best networkers aren't always the chattiest ones. They're the ones who know how to ask great questions. And then listen. I used to believe networking meant working every room like a caffeinated sales rep. I’ve had people come up to me and hand me their business card before they’d even said a word…on more than one occasion. With experience, and a little wisdom, you realise it’s the wrong approach entirely. The magic happens when you stop performing and actually start connecting with the people your talking to! Real networking for introverts: • Quality over quantity - always • Deep questions, not surface-level chat • Follow-through that adds genuine value • Your listening skills are your secret weapon Three meaningful conversations beat thirty empty handshakes. Because connections aren't about being memorable. They're about being real. Here’s some questions to level up your game: Instead of asking “What do you do?” Try these: • “What got you to where you are today?” • “Why did you want to be a project lead/engineer/creative?” • “What are the most important elements of your role?” • “What do you think the traits of a great leader are?” What's the best question you’ve been asked at a networking event? Do you loathe networking or see if as a great way to meet interesting people?

I used to think I knew how to “work a room” like a pro. Everyone knew me. But when I left, no one remembered why I mattered. That’s because conventional wisdom says networking is about collecting contacts, but it’s not. I have boxes of business cards of people I met at some event and never talked to again.  What is the purpose of that?  I like to think about this entire topic differently.  To me, networking should be about building credibility in absentia: what people say about you when you’re not in the room. That’s the flaw of traditional networking. It’s transactional, not transformational. Research backs this up: the people who get the most career opportunities aren’t those with the most connections, they’re those with high “network activation”. https://lnkd.in/ecdtg3i5. In plain English: their reputations travel faster than they do. So instead of trying to know everyone, focus on: 1. Being referable. Do great work and communicate it clearly. Reputation compounds. 2. Being memorable. Share something that no one will ever forget about you.  For me, it’s my connection to FOMO, for you, it might be your ukulele skills. 3. Turning weak ties into strong signals. Sociologist Mark Granovetter’s classic study found that 84% of jobs came through weak ties. https://lnkd.in/eUutyG3d Casual acquaintances who vouched for credibility, not closeness. In the end, networking isn’t about who you know; it’s about who knows you, and what they’d say if someone asked. What’s one thing you’ve done that made people remember your work long after you left the room?

My Guide to High-ROI Networking in 2026 (I Logged 2,345 Networking Activities in the Past 365 Days) Before anything else, let’s define terms. A “networking activity” is not: • Collecting LinkedIn connections • Spraying cold DMs • Awkward coffee chats with no follow-up A networking activity is: Any intentional interaction where a real relationship is built, strengthened, or advanced. That includes: • 1:1 calls • Thoughtful DMs • Reconnecting with former coworkers • Following up after a post or comment • Helping someone without expecting anything back Over the past year, I tracked 2,345 of these interactions. Not to flex…but to learn what actually compounds. Here’s what worked. And what I’ll keep doing in 2026. 1/ I optimized for trust, not reach ↳ I’d rather have 5 people who’d take my call instantly ↳ Than 500 who vaguely recognize my name ↳ Real opportunities come from warm relationships 2/ I treated follow-up as the real work ↳ Anyone can have a good call ↳ Very few people send the follow-up note, share the resource, or check back in ↳ That’s where trust compounds 3/ I never showed up without context ↳ “Would love to connect” is lazy ↳ I always anchored outreach in why: “Saw your post on X..:had a similar experience at Y” ↳ People respond to relevance, not volume 4/ I gave before I asked…every time ↳ Intros ↳ Feedback ↳ Sharing an opportunity ↳ Reviewing a resume ↳ Networking accelerates when it’s not transactional 5/ I stopped trying to be impressive ↳ No polished pitch ↳ No resume-walking ↳ Just curiosity and honesty ↳ “Here’s what I’m building” beats “Here’s why I’m great” 6/ I kept relationships alive between moments of need ↳ Promotions ↳ Job changes ↳ Big launches ↳ I checked in during the quiet times ↳ That’s when relationships become durable 7/ I tracked relationships…not just activities ↳ Who do I want to stay in touch with quarterly? ↳ Who do I owe a follow-up to? ↳ Who did I say I’d help? ↳ Organization turns networking into a system, not a scramble Here’s the biggest takeaway: High-ROI networking doesn’t feel like networking. It feels like being a decent, consistent human over time. That’s what I’ll keep doubling down on in 2026. 📬 I write weekly about careers, leverage, and long-term growth in The Weekly Sync: 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6qAwEFc What’s one relationship you should probably invest in before you need it?

Most professionals think networking is about being “good with people.” It’s not. It’s about executing a simple process—consistently. At the National Tech-Sales Competition this week, we evaluated networking as a professional skill, not a personality trait. The task was straightforward: • Meet someone new • Hold a real conversation • Earn a follow-up meeting This is the entire networking process. What we observed: Most people can introduce themselves. Many can hold a decent conversation. Very few earn the next meeting. And without a next step, there is no progression. So here’s the practical takeaway: If you want networking to produce real opportunity, focus on three disciplines: 1. Enter with clarity Know who you help, the problem you solve, and what a valuable conversation looks like. 2. Lead the conversation with structure Ask questions. Understand context. Listen for challenges and impact. 3. Earn the next step Not “let’s stay in touch.” A specific, defined follow-up. This is where networking shifts from activity → opportunity. We evaluated this using a formal scorecard Because what gets measured gets improved. Here’s the reality: Networking is not an event. It is a repeatable professional process. And like any process, inconsistent execution produces inconsistent results. The professionals who advance are not more outgoing. They are more deliberate. If you’re evaluating your own approach: Where are you strong? And where are you leaving opportunity on the table?