Networking For Women

The saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know” still holds true for career progression, but for women, building those all-important connections comes with extra hurdles. Research published in the Academy of Management Journal, highlighted by Harvard Business Review, shows that women face greater barriers than men when it comes to forming high-status networks. One striking finding? Women are 40% less likely than men to form strong ties with senior leaders after face-to-face interactions. Traits like assertiveness and confidence—often linked with leadership—are judged through a traditional gendered lens, which means women's and other marginalised genders contributions can be overlooked. So, what’s the solution? Women can leverage third-party introductions, which often carry implicit endorsement and help sidestep these biases. In fact, the research shows women are more likely than men to succeed in building high-status networks through shared contacts. Organisations also need to step up by creating network sponsorship programmes, where leaders don’t just mentor women—they actively advocate for them, opening doors and making introductions that help women advance. It’s time for organisations to rethink how they approach networking. By fostering more inclusive, proactive strategies, we can break down barriers and create a level playing field for women to build the connections that will drive their careers forward. Let’s turn "who you know" into an opportunity for everyone. #Networking #GenderEquity #ThreeBarriers

"𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗠𝗘?" This is the response a woman I met this week received from someone she reached out to. She shares, "So, I'm attempting to shift from operational-level relationships to strategic ones. I've noticed that when you invite someone for coffee, the immediate question often is, "What do you want from me?" Networking, at its core, should be straightforward, yet many women, including myself, find ourselves caught in the web of overthinking. 👉 Women often ponder the "𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁" way to network. 👉 Fear of being seen as "𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱" can deter women from making the first move. 👉 The worry of "𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵" in return can unnecessarily complicate networking intentions. 👉 Concerns over the "𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴" for outreach lead to missed opportunities. 👉 Misinterpreting a '𝗻𝗼' as personal rather than a matter of circumstance. 👉 The quest for the "𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲" overshadows the importance of genuine interaction. Embracing simplicity and direct communication can significantly unburden the networking process, making it more effective and less stressful. For example: "Hello [Name], I've admired your recent contributions to [specific field or project] and see a great opportunity for my own growth by learning from you. Understanding your schedule may be tight, I'm flexible and would appreciate it if we could find a convenient time for a 30-minute coffee discussion to explore your experiences. When might it be feasible for you?" One woman asked how she could reconnect with a sponsor after having not spoken to him for over a year without sounding transactional. I suggested she write something like this: "Hello [Sponsor's Name], I recently reflected on the pivotal role your sponsorship played in my success, especially after attending an enlightening event on sponsorship. It's been over a year, and I'd truly value the chance to reconnect and share how your support has been instrumental to my growth. Could we find 30 minutes to catch up at your convenience? Receiving this message would likely make a sponsor feel deeply appreciated and genuinely surprised. Let's infuse RAW leadership into our approach to networking. Let's be 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 in our intentions, 𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗗 in authenticity, and 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗬 of trust and respect. How do you overcome nervousness when networking?

networking feels harder for women. but it doesn’t have to be 🤷♀️ over the last 5 years i heard this line on repeat: ‘i’m not good at networking’. what women really mean is - the way networking is usually done doesn’t work for me. think about it  -  networking in india often looks like: - late-night mixers; - portfolio huddles where 90% of the room is men; - and more recently, fitness/ sports invites you never got a lot of women worry about perception: ‘will i be judged if i show up here alone?’ or ‘how do i get in?’. add the double shift of work + home, and there’s just less time to “hang out” after work for the sake of connections. but here’s the thing  -  networking isn’t just attending events and exchanging business cards. it can be: - a 30-min coffee with someone in your industry. - breakfast catchups with old colleagues. - swapping book/article recommendations with someone you met recently at a work thing. - dm’ing someone to say ‘i loved your post, here’s what it sparked for me and how i can help’. - hosting 2-3 peers for lunch or a walk once a quarter. and then someone else repeats the same thing, and you show up. more importantly  -  it can now be done over a book club, a random coffee brainstorm, pickleball or a new restaurant discovery 🌱 consistency > volume. but the biggest mistake (men and women both) make? we wait until we need xyz to start networking. that’s like watering your plant only when it’s already dry. and of course, there’s also the laziness syndrome. it’s easier to scroll, binge or say ‘next week pakka’. but the truth is: relationships compound only if you invest in them regularly. and it’s always a two-way street. hacks that work: - put 1 coffee/zoom/meal/ walk a week on your calendar. treat it like a meeting. - pick a person for the week! i’ve been doing it since june and it’s been great! - start small: nurture 5-10 people deeply > 100 loosely. - lead with value  -  share an intro, an idea, a resource. that’s how trust builds. - normalize ‘the ask’. the women who thrived at leap were the ones who asked for intros, roles and partnerships. not the ones who waited for things to happen for them. networking isn’t harder for women because we can’t do it. it feels harder because the old playbook wasn’t written for us. but we’re already writing a new one. and it looks a lot more like breakfast tables, book swaps and safe circles than smoke-filled clubs 😮💨

Here's what $0 buys you in corporate culture: A high performer who'll do VP work because you called it "leadership development." Sound familiar? "Every time you accept more responsibility without a title change, you're teaching them your labour is free." I've watched this play out with brilliant colleagues who: → Absorbed entire workstreams → Led cross-functional teams → Owned P&L responsibility All while their business cards stayed the same. Here's what's really happening: They get director-level output at analyst prices. Your competence becomes their cost savings. You're funding their organizational chart with your career stagnation. But here's the good news - you can break this pattern. 6 ways to stop working for free: 1. Document scope creep in real time Email summaries: "As discussed, I'm now overseeing X in addition to my original role of Y" → Create a paper trail they can't rewrite later 2. Name the promotion timeline upfront "I'm excited to take this on. When should we discuss the title adjustment?" → Make advancement part of the conversation, not an afterthought 3. Calculate your market rate Research what director-level compensation actually looks like → Know your worth before the negotiation starts 4. Set capacity boundaries "I can lead the new initiative or maintain my current projects at their current quality level" → Force them to choose between free labor and realistic expectations 5. Build alliances with the top 1% Share intel on promotion timelines and salary ranges → Collective awareness disrupts individual exploitation 6. Practice the redirect "That sounds like a director-level responsibility. Are we talking about a promotion?" → Make them say "no" explicitly rather than implying it The system works when women accept expanded responsibility as "opportunity." It breaks when we demand that opportunities include actual advancement. Your labor has value. Stop giving it away for free. I expand on these ways in depth in The Private Career Memo Newsletter every week. Subscribe with the link in the comments if you want to advance in your career without sacrificing your worth.

Traditional networking wasn't built for women. After building Podium for the past 2 years, I've seen exactly how this plays out. You know that feeling when you walk into a networking event and immediately start calculating? - Should I grab a drink so I have something to do with my hands? - Is it weird to approach that group? - Am I being too much by introducing myself? Meanwhile, the guys are already exchanging business cards. Most networking advice tells us to "show up" and "put ourselves out there." But it doesn't account for the fact that most of us weren't raised to walk into rooms and immediately sell ourselves. We weren't taught that relationships could be transactional. And frankly? That's not how we want to connect anyway. Here's what I've learned: Women don't connect the same way. We don't trust immediately. We don't do transactional "what can you do for me" conversations. We build relationships through honesty, shared experiences, and actual vulnerability. That's why we created something different at Podium. We call it Gentle Connections. It's designed so trust comes first, and opportunities follow naturally. Because when you stop forcing yourself into a system that was never designed for you and start building spaces that actually work for how women connect? Everything changes. The intros get made. The opportunities show up. But most importantly, you stop feeling like networking is something you're bad at and start realizing the game was just rigged from the start. If you've ever felt like networking just doesn't work for you, you're not alone. And you're not wrong. What's your worst networking experience? I'd love to hear it.

I asked 100 women leaders when they have energy for meaningful conversations. 87 said mornings. 11 said lunch. 2 said evenings. Yet 94% of networking events happen after 6pm. We like to pretend this is a strategic choice, but really, it's just 'how things have always been done.' And it’s not working anymore. Women often complain that they can’t network after work hours like men. The reasons are varied but quite justified, they don’t have the time, they’re too exhausted by the end of the workday, or have to move on to other tasks. Now, one of the myths about networking is that it’s only about exchanging visiting cards or socialising over drinks. It’s not a one-size-fits-all and there are as many ways to network as there are people. We can just as easily meet for breakfast, network over lunch, or grab a coffee with a mentor. A weekend run, meeting for an event, or making a call during the day can also be a great way to catch up with someone. Most women I know wake up early to finish chores before work. So, it may not be a stretch to network in the first half of the day. Here’s what networking is all about:  →Building a meaningful, authentic connection.  →It requires intelligent conversation and follow-ups.  →It’s best done without a specific agenda, and should not be driven by desperation or pure self-interest. While it takes time to build a connection, you can be flexible about the time and occasion to meet someone. Chances are other people are also bored of the routine networking sessions and may be keen to meet somewhere else. At Ladies Who Lead we realized the "After-Hours" model was failing women. So we rebuilt the calendar. Our members connect through: • Morning breakfast meets. • Sailing regattas and art weekends. • Wellness sessions and virtual tea-breaks. I’m not here to tell you to 'find more time', I know your plate is full. I’m telling you to change the clock so networking feels like a boost, not a chore. These are just some of many good ways to connect with likeminded people. Networking works only if you stay focused, communicate effectively, and feel confident. Play to your strengths. Organise meetings and network at times when you are at your best. P.S. : How do you prefer to connect? A) Early morning coffee B) Quick mid-day lunch C) Something active (walk/run) D) I’m still stuck in the "After-Work" trap. Let’s discuss in the comments. #Networking #MythBuster #Socialising #WorkCulture

Navigating the Corporate World as a woman in her 20s💼 As a young woman 🌸 trying to carve out a space in the corporate world, I’ve come across a reality that’s difficult to talk about but impossible to ignore. Early in my career, I was taught to accept help and guidance from those with more experience. And while many have genuinely supported me, I’ve also encountered situations where the offers of help came with ulterior motives. Men have approached me with promises of mentorship, opportunities, or career advancement. At first, these gestures seemed sincere, but eventually, their true intentions surfaced they were less interested in my professional growth and more focused on personal favors, crossing professional boundaries. This is an unfortunate and uncomfortable reality that many women face in their careers, especially when they are young and just starting out. It’s disheartening because we all deserve respect and support without strings attached. Here’s what I’ve learned and what I want other young women to know: • Your worth is not tied to anyone else’s validation. You bring value to the table through your skills and intelligence, not through what others may try to take from you. • Setting boundaries is essential. Even if it feels awkward or risky, protecting your personal and professional space is necessary for long-term success. • It’s okay to walk away. If an offer of help or mentorship comes with conditions that make you uncomfortable, trust yourself enough to say no. The right opportunities will come, and they won’t demand compromises. We need to foster environments where women can grow professionally without fear of exploitation. Let’s keep the conversation going so that young women feel empowered to stand firm in their values and demand the respect they deserve. #WomenInLeadership #ProfessionalBoundaries #RespectInTheWorkplace #WomenEmpowerment

PSA: This is not networking. I’m seeing an uptick in a behavior that needs to be called out. I’ve received messages from men asking about specific women in my network — who they are, how I know them — clearly fishing for an introduction. In one instance, a woman in my network reached out to warn me that someone had contacted her asking about me. I appreciated her transparency and blocked the individual immediately. More recently, when someone asked me about one of my female connections, I made it clear: I don’t share information about people in my network. Then I blocked him. Professional relationships are not shortcuts. People are not currency. And women in your network are not warm leads to be reverse-engineered. If you want to connect with someone, do it directly, respectfully, and transparently. Curious if others are experiencing this and how you’re setting boundaries when it happens.

𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮: 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 Ever been in a situation where you are just trying to make a solid career connection, but the other person—usually a guy—starts blurring the lines? Yeah, it happens way too often. A young lady reached out to me after reading my recent LinkedIn post on Networking with this exact dilemma. She is out here trying to network, build relationships, and grow professionally, but some men mistake her interest for something else. The struggle is real, but guess what? You can take control of the situation and still make powerful connections. Here are my suggestions: 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 – Be crystal clear about why you’re connecting. A simple “I admire your expertise in ..... (what you are discussing) and would love to learn from you” keeps things professional. 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀-𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱– If the conversation veers into personal territory too soon, steer it back. “That’s interesting, but I’d love to hear more about your experience in ....(whatever the topic is).” 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 – Group events, conferences, and coffee meetups are great. Avoid late-night hangouts or overly casual settings that send mixed signals. 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – If someone starts pushing boundaries, confidently shift gears: “I’d rather focus on our shared professional interests.” 𝗕𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗶𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 – If subtle hints don’t work, be upfront: “I value professional connections, and I’d like to keep our interaction in that space.” No guilt, no hesitation. 𝗧𝗮𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻-𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 – Sometimes, the best connections happen in spaces designed for and by women. Seek out groups where you can network without the extra noise. Networking should feel empowering, not exhausting. Set your boundaries, own your space, and connect with people who respect your hustle. 𝙇𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 ? 𝘿𝙧𝙤𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢!! #SetYourBoundaries #OwnYourSpace #DontBlurTheLines #SheJustWantsToNetwork

Every time I walk into a cybersecurity conference networking session, the same thing happens: Step 1: Scan the room. Out of 500 people, I spot the 5 women instantly like we share some kind of radar. Step 2: Beeline. I head straight to them. Within minutes, we’re swapping career stories, laughing about conference coffee, and comparing notes on which talks are overhyped vs. which are must-attends. Meanwhile, I’ve barely said more than “hi” to many of the others. It’s not that I don’t want to network broadly, I really do. But here’s why I (and many women I’ve talked to) often end up sticking to that safe zone: A. It feels like walking into a group of men mid-discussion might mean interrupting or being ignored. B. Sometimes I think, “Will this be taken the wrong way if I approach one person alone?” C. And, there are times I just feel tired of being the only woman around and would rather connect with someone who gets it. Here’s the hard truth: networking should not feel like breaking into a locked room. It’s part of growing, learning, getting opportunities and right now, for many women, it’s not that. What I think could help: For conference organizers: Build formats where people don’t have to force their way in. Think small roundtables, structured networking, pre-event meetups where introductions are facilitated. For everyone else: When you see someone alone, pull them in. Invite them into your group. It costs almost nothing, but it matters a lot. Here's what I hope: That next time I walk into a networking room, I won’t need to scan for the few familiar faces first. Instead, I’ll feel like every circle is one I can walk into. Because the goal isn’t to create separate tables it’s to make sure every table has a seat for everyone. I’m curious what you think: Do you see any of this happen in your networking journey? Did someone do something that made networking more comfortable for you? Let’s make these rooms truly open. #NetworkingTips #WomeninCybersecurity #InclusionMatters