Importance of Networking

The 5 pillars of male allyship Yesterday I hosted a session for a Global law firm on male allyship. It was hosted in London but people flew in from across Asia, America and Europe so it was great to include different perspectives on allyship from across the world. I set out what I see as the 5 key pillars of male allyship: 1️⃣ Gender equality is not a zero-sum game. Men have LOTS do gain from a more gender-equal world, so be an accomplice, not just an ally, and invest your time and energy into gender equality initiatives. 2️⃣ Understand The Authority Gap. I quoted research from Mary Ann Sieghart's book around how women are more likely to be interrupted, have their authority and competence questioned. So as men, we have to understand this is happening, check our bias, make sure we aren't perpetrators, spot when it is happening around us and address it. 3️⃣ Audit who you are sponsoring. According to the Harvard Business Review, men are 46% more likely to have a sponsor. But sponsorship is critical to getting promoted into senior levels. We must audit who we see as talent and who we are supporting by promoting their work and putting a good word in for stretch opportunities. 4️⃣ If you are a dad, practise Parenting Out Loud! Equal parenting is key to addressing the motherhood penalty which is the vast majority of the gender pay gap. Help to de-gender caring by taking the full parental leave available, working flexibly and being loud and proud about your caring responsibilities at work. 5️⃣ ‘Call in’ sexism and misogyny when you see it. It's tough. It can mean confrontation. But it's a must to stand up and call other men in when you see inappropriate behaviour. We had a great discussion around how to do this in practice. We ended with a panel of senior men and partners who spoke about their experience of male allyship and how they practise these 5 pillars. My overall message was to do something differently. Events are great and if done well they really can plant the seeds of behaviour change. But ultimately, it's on the individual, especially senior leaders, to take ownership of that behaviour change which, in turn, shapes organisational culture. Read more about my male allyship talks and workshops here: https://lnkd.in/esas8Qe8 #Allyship #ParentingOutLoud #Inclusion

Harsh truth: Networking is dead. (at least in the traditional sense of the word)... Those business cards you're collecting? The LinkedIn connections you're hoarding? They're worthless. I'm introverted. Socially anxious. Yet I've built a world-class network. The difference? I stopped networking and started building genuine relationships. My 4-step anti-networking system: 1. Find value-aligned rooms. Love fitness? Hit the 7am farmer's market. Love books? Join that book club. The filtering happens before you walk in. 2. Ask better questions. Skip "What do you do?" Try: "What's lighting you up outside of work?" Being interested is more important than being interesting. 3. Master Level 2-3 listening. Most people wait for their turn to talk. Charismatic people are fully present, building a mental map of who you really are. 4. Creative follow-ups. Send that article they'd love. Mail them that book you discussed. I've built my best mentor relationships by sending books to people's offices. This week: Pick ONE value-aligned room. Start ONE conversation. Follow up within 48 hours. Stop networking. Start building.

This is one of the rarest professional skills today: The ability to truly listen. Most people don’t listen. They reload. While someone is speaking, they’re already preparing their response. Their story. Their opinion. Their related experience. They’re waiting for a gap to jump in. Try this in your next conversation. Ask a question. Then a follow-up. Then one more. Hold back on talking about yourself until the other person has finished their thought. Watch what happens. People open up. They go deeper. They trust you faster. Not because you’re special. Because you’re present. This isn’t a networking trick. It’s what real listening looks like. And in a distracted world, it’s a quiet advantage. The person who listens well learns more, influences better, and is remembered longer. All because they stopped treating conversations like a competition for airtime. Pause a little longer. You might be surprised by what you gain.

Most people think networking is about finding the next opportunity. I couldn't disagree more. To me, networking has never been about collecting business cards, adding LinkedIn connections, or reaching out only when I need something. It's about building genuine relationships over time; slowly, consistently, and authentically. Many of the opportunities that shaped my career, both as a professional (at PwC and Microsoft) and as an entrepreneur (at Pebble Ridge Capital Group (PRCG) and Insure Me Group (IMG)), didn't come from submitting apps or making cold intros. They came from people.     Someone I had stayed in touch with.     Someone who remembered a convo we had months or even years earlier.     Someone who opened a door I didn't even know existed. That taught me a lesson I'll never forget and one I now share with everyone:     Networking is a long-term investment, not a short-term transaction.     The best time to build your network isn't when you need something.     It's today. Stay connected. Check in. Celebrate other people's wins. Offer help without expecting anything in return. Because the strongest relationships are built long before they are ever needed.

A follow-up to something I posted earlier… The most valuable person in your network probably has nothing to do with your industry. That sounds backwards. But here's what most people miss about networking: The connections that look "irrelevant" create the most exponential growth. The ones that seem "practical" just keep you moving in straight lines. I think about people in my life who have made a real difference, like Michael Roderick, a friend who used to be a Broadway producer and inspired me on my journey to start writing musical theater. As I write about in The Long Game, there are three types of networking most people never distinguish: Short-Term Networking: You connect because you need something now. It feels transactional because it is. People sense the agenda immediately. Long-Term Networking: You build relationships in your field over time. Smart professionals do this consistently. But it's the baseline, not the breakthrough. Infinite Horizon Networking: This is where exponential growth happens. You connect with people completely outside your sphere. Not because you need something. Because they spark curiosity. The astronaut who changes how you think about systems. The comedian who teaches you timing in presentations. The dog breeder who shows you patience in development. These connections seem impractical. They won't help you close a deal next quarter. But here's the paradox: When you stop optimizing for immediate relevance, you start accessing ideas no one else in your field has. You think differently. You solve problems differently. You become unforgettable in a sea of people with identical networks. Your greatest opportunities emerge from conversations you never expected to have. Networking isn't just a business tool. It's about becoming more curious. More creative. More human. When you connect out of genuine curiosity, you don't just build a network. You become someone worth knowing. It's the most rewarding investment you can make in your personal and professional life. Think about the people in your life who inspire you most - and ways you can begin to spend even more time with people outside your sphere.

My Relationship-Building Guide (Networking – if we must call it that) After 20+ years in finance, tech, healthcare, and games, I’ve never cold applied to a job. Not once. I'm giving you all my secrets for nothing because I want you to succeed. Every role I’ve ever had came from relationship building. Not from privilege. Not from inherited connections - I had none from my family. Well before any follower count or regular content creation (didn't do that at all until 4-5 years ago). Just consistent effort to connect with people I genuinely respected. This isn’t a cheat code. It’s not fast. It’s not always comfortable. But it is learnable. Important context: I deeply respect concerns around equal access, neurodiversity, comfort zones, and systemic bias. I’m naturally shy too. This isn’t dismissive – it’s practical for the world we’re in. Here are 30 relationship-building principles that shaped my career: 1. Start with alumni networks (school, bootcamps, online courses). Low barrier, real common ground. 2. Be visible online and in person. Familiarity builds trust. 3. Ask: “Is there anyone else I should talk to?” It multiplies your network. 4. Don’t lead with desperation. Lead with curiosity + steadiness. 5. Job talk starts at conversation 3 (minimum). Build trust first. 6. Only build relationships you actually want. No pretending. 7. Always have 5 mentees. Helping keeps you grounded and useful. 8. Always have 5 mentors. Growth never stops. 9. Maintain 10 meaningful conversations. Not 200 weak ties. 10. Say yes to events, then figure it out. 11. Find access (scholarships, discounts, partners). Ask. Research. 12. The “I’m in town” BD trick works. Confirm meeting, then book travel. 13. Celebrate others authentically. Show real appreciation with specifics. 14. Relationships often resurface years later. Be kind always. 15. Think in one-year arcs. Plant seeds. 16. Ask for conversations, not favors. 17. Some of the best convos are about nonsense. Be a person. 18. Never ask what you can Google. Respect time. 19. Map orgs like a business developer. Do homework. 20. Avoid tunnel vision. Great relationships come from unexpected places. 21. Curate your circle. Let go of what drains you. 22. Your performance is your best networking. Reputation travels. 23. Treat people like you're their friend, not their fan. 24. Leave people wanting more. Warm + concise wins. 25. Track outreach (I keep a simple CRM). Helps you be intentional. 26. Keep notes on key people (kids, pets, interests) because you care. 27. Think before you speak. Two minutes changes everything. 28. Be a 5x giver. Lead with generosity. 29. Be authentic and quirky. Realness is memorable. 30. Put good into the world. Giving creates trust that compounds. Here is the long-form of this guide in article form, if you want to learn more: https://lnkd.in/emKD4c93

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

If you run a small business, networking isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s an investment. Over the past year, I’ve attended events from an Amazon Web Services (AWS) soccer game to an American Express panel, and even a LinkedIn for Marketing launch party in NYC. One thing became clear: the connections you make and how you nurture them, can shape your business in ways you don’t see immediately. Here are 5 strategies that have made a real difference for Brkaway: Invest in conversations, not contacts. Showing up isn’t enough. At the AWS soccer game, I spent halftime asking people about their businesses and challenges instead of pitching Brkaway. That curiosity opened doors, sparked insights, and reinforced a simple truth: networking is about investing in others first. One warm introduction can change everything. Referrals and intros have outsized impact. A single connection might lead to a client, partner, or advice that saves months of trial and error. Showing up in the right rooms consistently keeps your business top of mind with the people who matter. Listen more than you pitch. At events like the AMEX panel, listening carefully was more powerful than rehearsing my elevator pitch. When you focus on understanding what others need, you build trust and credibility. People remember how you made them feel, not your elevator pitch. The best connections happen in between. At the NYC launch party, some of the most valuable conversations happened casually.. waiting for elevators, grabbing a drink, walking between spaces. Casual, unscripted moments often lead to more authentic relationships than formal networking. Follow up or it didn’t happen. Meeting someone is just the start. The real investment comes afterward: connecting on LinkedIn, tracking conversations, setting reminders, and engaging with people’s content. That’s how relationships grow into opportunities. Remember, networking isn’t a checkbox. It’s equity in your business. 

Having spent 3 years building leading personal brands, generating over 100 million impressions and now running an agency turning CEO's & Execs into Thought Leaders on LinkedIn, I've always felt that: A founder’s voice is the most valuable marketing asset a company has. We all know, people buy from people. And now, the latest data from LinkedIn backs this up. – Startups whose founders post at least ten times a year on LinkedIn generate 33% more leads than those who remain silent. – Deals close 22% faster when buyers feel they know the founder. Sendoso reported an 11% higher win rate and 120% higher deal sizes when prospects followed their executives. – Hootsuite, CEO Irina Novoselsky traced 37% of monthly leads and £12 million in influenced pipeline directly to her presence on LinkedIn. This is the commercial ROI of visibility on LinkedIn through Execs. The founder’s perspective builds trust long before a sales conversation begins. It strengthens pricing power, accelerates recruitment, and shortens deal cycles. Momentum also grows quickly once consistency sets in. Founders who post regularly achieve three times more engagement and four times more followers than those who post occasionally. You create organic, value-adding, authority & trust-building touch-points with your network at scale. At Triangle, we've seen this first-hand. And have so many case studies showcasing the impact of this in action. If you're not activating your CEO & Execs on LinkedIn with authentic content – you're missing out.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭    Business thrives when communities thrive. I was deeply moved by Jumbo supermarkets' innovative "Kletskassa" (chat checkout) initiative in the Netherlands. Instead of rushing customers through checkout, these special lanes encourage conversation and connection for people who want a slower retail experience.   "Many people, the elderly in particular, can feel lonely. As a family business and supermarket chain we have a central role in society. Our shops are a meeting place and that means we can do something to combat loneliness. The Kletskassa is just one of the things we can do,’ Jumbo CCO Colette Cloosterman-Van Eerd said.   It's a brilliant example of how businesses can weave social impact into their core operations. The reality is stark. According to the Dentsu 2025 Trend Report, the world is facing a global "togetherness deficit." Recent global events have left many feeling disconnected – particularly our elderly population. But herein lies an opportunity for businesses to step up:   1. Reimagine existing touchpoints: Every customer interaction can be transformed into a moment of connection. What's your equivalent of a "chat checkout"?   2. Create dedicated community spaces: Jumbo's "chat corners" show how businesses can repurpose physical spaces to nurture belonging.   3. Train staff as community builders: Our team members can be more than service providers – they can be connection catalysts.   4. Identify local needs: Understanding your community's specific challenges helps create meaningful interventions.   The ROI? It goes beyond metrics. It's in the strengthened community fabric. It's in being part of the solution to societal challenges. I believe every business, regardless of size or sector, has the potential to create impact in a way that people feel seen, heard, and connected.