Effective Networking for Decision Makers

In my early career, I thought networking was all about building as many connections as possible. But I quickly learned that effective networking isn't about the quantity of your connections—it's about the quality. Throughout my career, the connections that have truly made a difference weren’t the ones where I just asked for help—they were the ones where I made it easy for others to want to help me. If you want to make others genuinely want to help you, it’s crucial to move beyond simply asking for favors. Instead, focus on creating value and building relationships where both parties benefit. So, how can you do the same? Here are four tactical tips to help you network effectively: ✅ Do Your Homework Before reaching out, research the person or company you’re interested in. Understand their work, challenges, and how you can add value. For instance, instead of asking a connection for job leads, do your own research first. Identify specific roles and companies you’re targeting, and then ask if they can help with an introduction. This approach shows initiative and respect for their time. ✅ Be Specific in Your Ask Whether you’re asking for an introduction, advice, or a referral, be clear and concise about what you need. For example, instead of asking, “Do you know anyone hiring?” say, “I noticed [Company Name] is looking for a [Role]. Would you be open to introducing me to [Person]? I’m happy to send you my resume and a brief write-up you can pass along, too.” This shows that you’ve taken the initiative and makes it easier for your contact to say yes. ✅ Offer Mutual Value When requesting a meeting or advice, frame it as a two-way conversation. Instead of saying, “Can I pick your brain?” try something like, “I’d love to exchange ideas on [specific topic] and share some strategies that have worked for me.” This not only makes your request more compelling but also positions you as someone who brings value to the table. ✅ Follow Up with Gratitude After someone has helped you, don’t just say thank you and disappear. Keep them in the loop on how their help made an impact. Whether you got the job, secured the meeting, or just had a great conversation, let them know. This closes the loop and makes them more inclined to help you in the future. Your network is one of your greatest assets—nurture it well, and it will be there for you when you need it most. What’s one networking tip that’s helped you build stronger connections? *** 📧 Want more tips like these? Join Career Bites - free weekly bite-sized tips to supercharge your career in 3 minutes or less: lorraineklee.com/subscribe 📖 You can also get behind-the-scenes stories, updates, and special gifts for my upcoming book Unforgettable Presence: lorraineklee.com/book

𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥.   I learned this sitting at a board dinner in Sydney - the only woman among twelve men.   The chairman mentioned they couldn't find female directors.   Days earlier, I had met five board-ready women actively seeking directorships.   This disconnect revealed everything wrong with how we approach professional advancement.   A few truths about real networking:   • Casual connections rarely create opportunities • Random events waste valuable time   • Most networking advice focuses on quantity over quality   𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙓𝙄𝙈𝙄𝙏𝙔 𝙏𝙊 𝙋𝙊𝙒𝙀𝙍 determines advancement more than talent.   Our research shows fewer than 5% of ASX and NASDAQ companies have balanced leadership. This persists because:   The system serves itself, not talent. Generic networking preserves existing hierarchies. Good networkers often make terrible leaders.   Here's what actually works:   𝘽𝙐𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝙎𝙏𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙀𝙂𝙄𝘾 𝙉𝙀𝙏𝙒𝙊𝙍𝙆𝙎 • Start with your end goal • Identify specific decision-makers • Create value before asking favors • Track every promising connection   𝙁𝙊𝘾𝙐𝙎 𝙊𝙉 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉 • One champion outweighs 100 contacts • Quality of connections beats quantity • Measure results, not activity   𝙇𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍𝘼𝙂𝙀 𝙉𝙀𝙏𝙒𝙊𝙍𝙆 𝙀𝙁𝙁𝙀𝘾𝙏𝙎 • Help others reach their goals • Build reputation through results • Create new pathways to leadership   At Ellect, we tested this framework:   Results after 5 events: - 3 women secured board interviews - 2 received executive offers - 90% made advancement-focused connections   𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩. 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣.   The difference drives everything.   https://lnkd.in/etjAFXks

Ever notice how some people get their ideas approved effortlessly while others face constant pushback? The difference isn't charisma. It's preparation. I am in Japan this week and found this. In Japan, they have a word for this: Nemawashi. It means "preparing the roots" before you plant. Smart leaders never walk into important meetings cold. They build consensus one conversation at a time. Here's the 6-step system that turns skeptics into supporters: 1. Map Your Stakeholder Tree ↳ List everyone affected by your decision ↳ Note their concerns and influence level 2. Start With Your Skeptics ↳ Meet them first, not last ↳ They'll help you spot real problems early 3. Listen More Than You Pitch ↳ Ask what worries them about your idea ↳ Understanding beats convincing every time 4. Co-Create Solutions Together ↳ Ask how they would approach the challenge ↳ Include their ideas in your final plan 5. Circle Back With Updates ↳ Show how you used their feedback ↳ People support what they help build 6. Make Meetings a Formality ↳ When everyone arrives already aligned ↳ Your proposal passes without debate I've seen this transform outcomes: ✅ A project no one believed in suddenly gets full support ✅ A budget that usually faces scrutiny gets approved fast ✅ A major change goes smoothly instead of causing chaos This isn't about manipulation. It's about giving people a voice before decisions are made. Try this with your next big proposal. Start with one skeptic.  Have one honest conversation. You'll be surprised how quickly resistance becomes partnership. 👉 Share this to help your network master the art of building consensus. Follow Christian Rebernik for more on strategic influence and high-impact decision-making.

Ever wondered why some project managers always seem one step ahead? 🤔 Two weeks ago, our Siemens Energy PM Community went on a Learning Expedition to ESMT Berlin. We had a session with Gianluca Carnabuci, who shared a simple idea I can’t get out of my head: Being effective as a PM is not just about your operational network. It’s about building a strategic one. Operational networks help us run the day to day. They keep things moving, unblock tasks, and solve problems fast. These connections matter — they create operational cohesion, which is crucial for smooth project execution. But what often goes unnoticed is that this is only half the story. To truly lead across projects, functions, and future challenges, you need something more effective for long‑term steering: a strategic network. A network that spans internal silos, partners and companies. A network that gives you access to early indicators before formal decisions are communicated. A network that helps you detect initial signals, sense shifts in the environment, and gain time to prepare. During the session, it became clear once I connected this to a real project situation. Some time ago, one of our key customers went through a change in ownership structure. Nothing unusual on paper — these things happen. But then their priorities changed quickly, and our whole project team had to react. If we had built a stronger strategic network at that time — not just within the project, but across the broader group of stakeholders — we might have seen the shift earlier. We could have prepared. We could have adapted faster. This aligns directly with what Carnabuci described: Strategic networks is what helps project managers pick up early indicators and anticipate upcoming changes reliably. It’s not luck. It’s design. And it’s also part of our mindset at Siemens Energy: We don’t just deliver HVDC projects. We coordinate work across technical and organizational boundaries, connect countries, and make grids designed for upcoming requirements. That requires PMs who are well connected — not only in execution, but in insight. So in summary, the most applicable insight from Berlin is this: Network building is not a “nice to have.” It’s a core PM skill. And strategic networks may determine whether teams adjust before or after a change occurs. ⚡ Thanks Florencia Rodriguez Lamas and Danielle Schrepfer for organizing the event. What was a moment in your career when your strategic network helped you see a change coming earlier? 🤝

A senior cloud architect sent me a connection request last week with this message: "I'm interested in roles at AWS. Do you have any openings that fit my background?" No context. No relationship.  And no research into the roles I might work on. I see versions of this 30–40 times a week. And I know the intent is good — people are trying to follow the advice they're given: "Network to land your next role." The problem? Most people are confusing outreach with networking. After a decade in technical recruiting, I've noticed a clear pattern: The people who land roles faster aren't sending more DMs. They've built visibility before they ever hit send. Here's what commonly shows up in my inbox: "I recently interviewed — can you follow up?" "Do you have 15 minutes for a coffee chat?" "I'm seeking a Solutions Architect role." People are taking action. That's not the issue. The issue is that recruiters and hiring managers get dozens of these messages daily — all from people they don't know. At that volume, it's almost impossible to know how to help. At the senior level, transactional networking rarely turns into opportunity. Sound familiar? So what does strategic networking actually look like? It's less about who you message — and more about who already recognizes your name when you do. Here are five true networking approaches I’d recommend to senior-level tech professionals: 1️⃣ Engage in tech-specific LinkedIn groups  This creates one-to-many visibility. Hiring managers and recruiters are often in the same spaces — credibility builds through contribution. 2️⃣ Comment meaningfully on posts from leaders in your space  Skip "Great post." Add perspective based on experience. Do this consistently and your name starts showing up in the right feeds. 3️⃣ Share insights from your own work  You don't need thought-leadership essays. A poll about a challenge you're navigating. A short reflection on a lesson learned. Even adding your take to someone else's post. The goal is visibility, not virality. 4️⃣ Write recommendations for former teammates  In addition to helping a teammate out, your name will appear on their profile. This is passive visibility that compounds. 5️⃣ Engage with hiring managers before messaging them  Comment on what they share. When you eventually reach out, you're not a stranger — you're familiar. I've seen this shift change the trajectory of job searches. Not because someone's resume suddenly improved — but because the right people already knew who they were before a role opened. 👉 Which of these five are you already doing or planning to start? Drop the number below. And if someone in your network is in search mode, feel free to share this with them.

If your networking strategy is “Can I pick your brain?” —think of another ask. That’s not networking. It’s one-way. Years ago, a friend asked to meet with me when I was an executive at a major global company. She didn’t arrive with a list of asks. She arrived prepared. She had accessed a thoughtful report on talent management and leadership development—relevant to my role and current priorities. She listened carefully. Took notes. Asked questions that built on the conversation rather than redirected it. At the end, she thanked me—and handed me the report. I never forgot that moment. Not because she impressed me. Because she honored the exchange. The best networking is mutual. It’s curious, generous, and intentional. It creates value before it asks for it. Before you reach out, consider this: What could I offer that might genuinely be useful? That’s how real relationships begin and endure. Curious how others think about this: What’s the most thoughtful or generous thing someone has brought into a networking conversation with you—something that made you want to stay connected? #networking #2waystreet

The key to successful networking isn’t about who you know. It’s about how you ask. And asking for help is one of the most powerful ways to build trust and strengthen relationships. In fact, research from Harvard Business School shows that people feel closer to you after helping you, not before. Why? Helping someone activates a sense of reciprocity and purpose. It makes the other person feel valued and invested in your success. In plain English, it makes them feel all warm and fuzzy inside 😊, which makes them like you more, which makes them want to help. This is especially true during a job search. By letting your network know how they can help, you give them a chance to support you, and to become part of your success story. But there’s a catch: You have to make it easy for them to help. Ambiguous asks like “Let me know if you hear of anything” won’t work. As soon as you walk away, it’s forgotten. Instead, give them the tools they need to be effective. Here’s how to train your circle to help you in your job search: ✅ Be specific about your target role. Share your ideal job titles, industries, and even companies you’re excited about. ✅ Highlight your unique value. Tell them how your skills and experience solve a company’s problems. (Bonus points for including an example!) ✅ Provide simple ways to take action. Ask for introductions to people in a specific company or department, or feedback on your LinkedIn profile. ✅ Teach them what to listen for. Say, “I’m looking to help healthcare organizations get projects across the finish line” and immediately they’re thinking of who they know that works in healthcare. And the next time they hear someone say, “I’m having trouble getting projects to completion,” guess whose name will come up?? When you empower your network with clarity and direction, they’re more likely to take action. And when they do, it’s a win-win: - You move closer to your next opportunity. - They feel good about being part of the journey. Don’t underestimate the power of asking for help. How have you asked for help recently? What kind of help could you use right now? Share in the comments!

Effective networking isn't about charisma or chance. It's actually a discipline with real principles you can study and apply. Bad events turn into random small talk and people just trying to sell each other stuff. Good events are built on proven frameworks. You shouldnt walk into a room hoping something good happens. You should design it so something good will happen. The best networking outcomes come from 3 things: 1. The psychology of connection - our brains decide who to trust and engage with in seconds 2. Structure over spontaneity - free-for-all networking rarely creates lasting connections 3. The role of the host - skilled facilitators turn casual encounters into meaningful relationships I've organized dozens of events over the past few years and this approach has held up consistently. The founders who treat relationship building like a system tend to outperform those who wing it. They dont just show up and hope for the best - they think about who they want to meet and why. Same principle applies to hiring, partnerships, even customer dev. It's all relationship building at the end of the day. What's your approach to building relationships? #startups #entrepreneurship #leanstartups #leadership #networking

Most advisors  treat networking like speed dating. Show up. Swap business cards. Post a selfie. Disappear. Then they wonder why nothing converts. If you want networking to actually drive business, you need a plan. Not vibes.    Here’s my first idea - 1 of 7 - of a real networking strategy: Stop “attending events”. Start working rooms. Introvert.  Extrovert.  Doesn’t matter. When I go to an event, I don’t aim to meet everyone. I aim to meet 3 people properly.  Not ‘spray and pray.’ That means: • I research who’s attending beforehand • I know exactly who I want to speak to • I have a reason to speak to them (and usually ask them for time ahead of the event) • I follow up within 24 hours Most people wing it. Experts treat it like pipeline. Networking events are not for collecting contacts. They are for starting conversations you can continue later. And here’s the uncomfortable truth: If you’re not following up, you didn’t network. You professionally socialized. Big difference. 💡 The real ROI happens after the event. Coffee the next week. Intro to someone useful. Sending a relevant article. That’s where trust builds. Do this consistently and your “network” stops being random. It becomes strategic. Idea 1️⃣ isn’t “attend events”. It’s: enter rooms with intent. This is 1 of 7 networking ideas - I will share one each week. Follow Matthew Curran. I post every day about things that matter to wealth management professionals.