Networking for Professionals

🎣 “They didn’t even cc me.” This was how Yumi, a senior marketing director, found out her billion-dollar product had been repositioned, without her input. The project she had been leading for 18 months was suddenly reporting into someone else. She didn’t mess up. She wasn’t underperforming. She just wasn’t "there". Not at the executive offsite. Not at the Friday “golf and growth” circle. Not at the CEO’s birthday dinner her male peer casually got invited to. She was busy being excellent. They were busy being bonded. 🍷 When she asked her boss about the change, he was surprised: “You’re usually aligned with the bigger picture, so we assumed it’d be fine.” In Workplace politic-ish: Yumi was predictable. Available. Yet not powerful enough to be consulted. 🔍 What actually happened here? Women are told to build relationships. Men build alliances. Women maintain connections. Men maintain relevance in power circles. It’s not about how many people like you. It’s about how many people speak your name when you’re not in the room. And in most companies, the real decisions - about budget, headcount, succession, are made off-the-clock and off-the-record. 📌 So, how do you stop getting edited out of influence? Try these: 1. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗽.    Not the org chart. The whisper network / shadow organistion.    Who gets invited to early product reviews?    Who influences without title?    Start mapping that!     2. 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲-𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁.    If your name hasn’t been mentioned by 3 different people in senior leadership this month, you are invisible to power, even if you’re a top performer.     3. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴.    Skip the webinars and female empowerment panels.    Start showing up where strategy happens: QBRs, investor briefings, offsite planning, cross-functional war rooms.     4. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹.    Schedule recurring 1:1s with lateral stakeholders, not to “catch up,” but to co-build. Influence travels faster across than up.     5. 𝗕𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀.    If you vanished for 2 weeks and no one noticed, you’re not central enough to promote.     🧨 If any of this feels raw, it’s because it is. Brilliant women are being rewritten out of their own stories, not for lack of performance, but for lack of positioning. That’s why Uma, Grace and I created 👊 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀👊 A course for women who are done watching strategic mediocrity rise while they wait for recognition. It’s not about becoming someone else. It’s about learning the rules that were never designed for us, and playing like you intend to win. 🔗 Get it if you’re ready, link in comment. Or wait until they “assume you’d be aligned,” too.

In the U.S., you can grab coffee with a CEO in two weeks. In Europe, it might take two years to get that meeting. I ’ve spent years building relationships across both U.S. and European markets, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: networking looks completely different depending on where you are. The way people connect, build trust, and create opportunities is shaped by culture-and if you don’t adapt your approach, you’ll hit walls fast. So, if you're an executive expanding globally, a leader hiring across regions, or a professional trying to break into a new market-this post is for you. The U.S.: Fast, Open, and High-Volume Americans love to network. Connections are made quickly, introductions flow freely, and saying "let's grab coffee" isn’t just polite—it’s expected. - Cold outreach is normal—you can message a top executive on LinkedIn, and they just might say yes. - Speed matters. Business moves fast, so meetings, interviews, and hiring decisions happen quickly. But here’s the catch: Just because you had a great chat doesn’t mean you’ve built a deep relationship. Trust takes follow-ups, consistency, and results. I’ve seen European executives struggle with this—mistaking initial enthusiasm for long-term commitment. In the U.S., networking is about momentum—you have to keep showing up, adding value, and staying top of mind. In Europe, networking is a long game. If you don’t have an introduction, it’s much harder to get in the door. - Warm introductions matter. Cold outreach? Much tougher. Senior leaders prefer to meet through trusted referrals—someone who can vouch for you. - Fewer, deeper relationships. Once trust is built, it’s strong and lasting—but it takes time to get there. - Decisions take longer. Whether it’s hiring, partnerships, or leadership moves, things don’t happen overnight—expect a longer courtship period. I’ve seen U.S. executives enter the European market and get frustrated fast—wondering why it’s taking months (or years!) to break into leadership circles. But that’s how the market works. The key to winning in Europe? Patience, credibility, and long-term thinking. So, What Does This Mean for Global Leaders? If you’re an American executive expanding into Europe… 📌 Be patient. One meeting won’t seal the deal—you have to earn trust over time. 📌 Get introductions. A warm referral is worth more than 100 cold emails. 📌 Don’t push too hard. European business culture favors depth over speed—respect the process. If you’re a European leader entering the U.S. market… 📌 Don’t wait for permission—reach out. People expect direct outreach and initiative. 📌 Follow up fast. If you’re slow to respond, the opportunity moves on without you. 📌 Be ready to show value quickly. Americans won’t wait months to see if you’re a fit. Networking isn’t just about who you know—it’s about how you build relationships. #Networking #Leadership #ExecutiveSearch #CareerGrowth #GlobalBusiness #US #Europe

My candidate landed a ₹15 LPA offer at a top MNC without even applying. No resume drop. No job portal. How? ✅ She unlocked the hidden job market that most candidates never see. So, how did she do it? Not with luck. But with a strategy anyone can use: 1. She built her brand before she needed a job. She shared her wins, projects, and insights on LinkedIn consistently. Example: Every Friday, she posted a carousel breaking down a real-life analytics problem she solved at work, tagging teammates and sharing key takeaways. This made her visible as a problem-solver in her field. 2. She reached out to industry peers, not just HR. No generic “Hi, can you refer me?” Instead, she started real conversations about trends, challenges, and solutions in her field. Example: She messaged a data scientist at her dream company, commenting on a recent paper he’d published: 👇 “Hi Raj, I loved your article on predictive analytics in retail. I’ve been working on similar models for FMCG clients and would love to exchange notes!” This led to a meaningful chat, not a cold request. 3. She gave before she asked. She offered feedback on others’ work, shared resources, and celebrated others’ milestones. Example: She congratulated connections on promotions, shared helpful webinars in group chats, and offered to review a peer’s resume before asking for any help herself. 4. She followed up, politely and persistently. After every conversation, she sent a thank-you note: 👇 “Thanks for your insights, Priya! I’ve already started applying your advice. Hope we can catch up again soon.” She stayed top of mind, not just top of the inbox. You don’t need a massive network. You need genuine connections, a clear story, and the courage to show up before you need help. If you’re still waiting for the “perfect” job post to appear, you’re already late. The best opportunities are shared in DMs, whispered in meetings, and offered to those who are already visible. Start building your presence, your relationships, and your reputation today. #jobsearch #jobopportunities #jobinterview #careergrowth

Stop (only) applying for jobs. I'm serious. While everyone will help, here is what actually works: ✅ Spend that time building relationships with people at companies you want to work for. Here's the math no one talks about: 100 applications = 2-3 callbacks (if you're lucky) 10 genuine connections = 5-7 opportunities How do I know? Hiring and getting hired are very similar. So far, all my hires were referrals and introductions. All my clients came through the same. I've placed hundreds of designers. The ones who got hired fastest? They weren't the ones with the most applications. They were the ones who: → DMed designers at target companies about their work (I've hired people who did this at Miro) → Commented thoughtfully on posts from hiring managers → Asked for 15-minute coffee chats, not job talk at first → Built relationships BEFORE they needed them (that's the actual gold here) Real example from last week: The designer spent 3 months engaging with the design lead's content. When a role opened up? She got a DM: "We have something perfect for you." Never even posted publicly. Meanwhile, 847 other designers are fighting over the LinkedIn posting 👹 But here's the part no one teaches you — WHO to reach out to: ✓ Someone I aspire to get to know ✓ Someone's career I aspire to have ✓ Someone who works where I'd like to work ✓ Someone who may be going through similar challenges ✓ Someone I will have lots to talk about And here's how I prioritize companies and roles: First, I map out my network: → Find all my previous colleagues — where do they work now? → Find all open roles — what's relevant and what sounds like the best fit? → What can I see about those environments from JDs and career websites? This gives me a targeted list of: ✨ Companies where I already have warm connections ✨ Roles that actually match my skills ✨ Environments I'd thrive in (not just survive) Smart networking > no applications > successful hires. Every. Single. Time. The best jobs aren't advertised. They go to people already in the conversation. So stop being application #248. Start being the person they think of first. Your time is better spent building one real connection than sending 20 applications into the black hole. Trust me on this one. 💬 How did you get your last role: application or connection? Tell me and let's do some market research together ⬇️

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

12 ways to network your way into a new role (Without sending annoying cold DMs) Everyone talks about networking into a new role. But you don’t have to send spammy LinkedIn DMs: “Hey, I’m applying for a job, can you refer me?” It's a big ask to someone you don’t know. Real networking is a powerful tool. Here’s 12 ways to build your professional network: 1/ Join alumni committees ↳ Active members get first job referrals 2/ Connect your connections  ↳ Value multiplies through introductions 3/ Find conversations everywhere ↳ The hair salon or barbershop is a connection spot 4/ Attend industry events  ↳ Real connections happen in smaller spaces 5/ Build your board of directors ↳ Offer to help at their events/workshops 6/ Join non-business groups  ↳ Life interests create stronger bonds 7/ Create micro-communities  ↳ Small groups drive deeper connections 8/ Volunteer strategically ↳ Join committees where decision-makers serve 9/ Host mini-meetups ↳ Bring 3-4 professionals together for coffee 10/ Attend a public talk ↳ Find others who are similarly aligned 11/ Online professional communities ↳ Informal Slacks, Discords, & masterminds 12/ Professional associations ↳ Give you an immediate shared starting point Focus on building genuine relationships. One meaningful connection a week is 52 a year. Build a network before you need a job. How are you going to build your network this week? ♻️ Repost to help your network 🔔 Follow Ashley Couto for career growth

How to (female) Diplomat: Navigating Male-Dominated Spaces (Without Losing Your Dignity, Self Respect and Authenticity) A very senior ambassador once threw a top secret briefing on the ground in front of me—fully expecting I’d pick it up. A calculated power move, dressed up as carelessness. I let it lie there. After all, his arms weren’t broken. Instead, I met his eyes and said, “I think you dropped something, Ambassador.” Then waited. Silence. Eventually, he bent down and picked it up. I realised something that day: Some people test you just to see if they can. And if you play along, they’ll keep pushing the boundary. I’ve spent years being the only woman in the room – whether in the army or diplomacy. Sometimes the youngest, too. And often, the only one not trying to prove I belonged by mimicking the men around me. Because here’s the real power move: 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. Trying to blend in might feel like the safest option, but in diplomacy or business, it’s your differences that make you effective. So, if you find yourself in a room where the rules weren’t written with you in mind, try this: 1️⃣ 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Ever notice how some men tend to take up space—physically, vocally, and in decision-making? Don’t shrink. Take the seat at the table. Speak first if you have something valuable to say. → 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲; 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 2️⃣ 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 I once watched a male colleague dismiss a female diplomat’s input in a negotiation—only for him to miraculously propose the same idea 15 minutes later. Instead of calling it out directly, she let him own it and subtly reinforced the idea so it stuck. The win mattered more than the credit. Every single person in that room knew where the credit lay. → 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗴𝗼. 3️⃣ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 Not everyone in the room wants to see you succeed. But some do. Spot the quiet power brokers—the ones who influence decisions without being the loudest. → 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀. Some of your best allies might be men. 4️⃣ 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝗼𝗻 “𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆” Ever been told you’re too direct? Or not assertive enough? Too friendly. Or not friendly enough. The double bind is real. But instead of playing an impossible game, reframe it: →𝗗𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗲? 𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳? If the answer is yes, likeability is a bonus, not the goal. 5️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀—𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 Whether it’s a demeaning “joke,” being interrupted, a door deliberately slammed in your face—set the boundary. Then hold it. Because the moment you don’t, they’ll push it further. 💡 You don’t need to be louder, tougher, or “one of the guys.” You just need to be strategic about how you show up. What’s worked for you in male-dominated spaces? Let’s share the playbook. 👇

If networking makes you anxious, here’s one of my favorite confidence shortcuts: Confidence comes from purpose. When I used to go to big conferences, the breaks were the hardest part. Everyone wandering around, trying to figure out who to talk to… and I’d freeze. So I gave myself a simple purpose: Get in line. Any line. I’d stand in the longest Starbucks line, grab a tiny coffee, then get in another line for a snack, then another line for a treat. Every time I stood in line I talked to the person ahead of me or behind me (whichever one seemed less interested in their phones). And it worked. I ended up meeting dozens of people this way. Lines give you a gentle, built-in way to talk to people without the pressure of walking up cold. I’d say something simple, “Learn anything cool at this conference so far?” This worked super well for quickly getting to do a chemistry check with someone. If it worked, we would sit down together or take a walk. If not, we wished each other well. But the real magic trick is this: After you get your coffee or snack, stand near the spot where people step out of the line. That moment when someone turns back toward the room — drink in hand, scanning for who to talk to — that’s your opening. You can make it super easy and warm: • “Love that coffee. Is it good?” • “What brings you here today?” • “Such a fun event, right?” They’re relieved someone spoke first. You’re relieved you had a purpose. And the conversation flows naturally. It becomes a win-win. Networking doesn’t have to feel scary. It just needs purpose. At your next event: • Find a line • Chat with the people around you • Say hello to the person who steps out next It’s one of the easiest ways to have great conversations without forcing a single moment.

Early in my career, I started going to networking events, and as friendly and extroverted as I am, they always made me nervous. People already knew each other and, even worse, I was often one of the few vendors in the room (cue the Jaws music). But a few things changed these events for me - 1. How can I help? - I found networking was easier when I had a task, so I joined a Legal Marketing Association committee, a vertical I'd chosen to focus on. Suddenly, I had tasks that let me get to know a few of the members that then snowballed into easier networking. I ended up serving four years on the DC board as well and making some of my best friends along the way. - As a speaker, I want the chance to network with the attendees, so upon check in, I ask, "Do you need a pair of hands for something?" It lets me be part of the action, while also helping my pursuit of being different - I suspect it's a rarity that a speaker offers to be of extra help. 2. Ask questions, make intros. In a booth? When they pop into your booth, you're the host, make them feel welcome. Use my trick of getting a peek at their name tag, too - "Hi, I'm Sam, how's it going?!...oh sorry, I didn't quite catch your name" (squints at name and company politely). Then, find a way to show them you know them by connecting dots on their co. or location, or simply say, "Thanks for swinging by our booth - do you much about us or is there anything I can help with?" At happy hour and don't know a soul? Look for the equally "ugh, who can I talk to?" nervous person and befriend them. "Hi! I'm just going to come over because it ALSO looks like you know no one here - I'm Sam!" ^^ask questions - people love to talk about themselves. 😉 Steer away from "What do you do" and find a way to focus on them/event. "Where are you coming in from?" "What session are you most excited for tomorrow?" "What did you think of Sam's keynote this morning, brilliant, right?!" 😏 Talking to a new friend and see the old friend walking by? Make eye contact and pull that person in to help them make new contacts. "Oh, here comes Mary, do you know her?...Mary, hi! Come meet Bill!" All the above will make people want to talk more to you and include you in invites because they know you can help them socialize and bring energy into a room. Bonus: In a conversation you're desperate to get out of... My go to: "Would you excuse me for a minute, I need to run to the restroom" and hope they don't say, "Me too! I'll go with you!" 😉 3. Don't talk about your own work when speaking with existing prospective clients. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but if I see someone I've been prospecting or that's in an active deal cycle, the last thing I want them to think is that every time I approach I'm doing so with a pitch (see Jaws music from above). So, I make it about building our relationship, getting to know them and doing most of what's above in point 2. If they want to talk work, they'll let me know. #samsales

150 messages per week. 24 meetings booked. Zero cold calling. From someone who'd never sold into real estate before. Here's how: A student in our real estate sales course just shared their LinkedIn outreach strategy. No real estate experience. No industry connections. Just a killer outreach system. The best part? Everyone in the room learned something new. Here's what happened: Step 1: The setup Most people try to sell right away. But Guillermo Salazar did something different: • Got crystal clear on their ideal customer profile (ICP) • Found relevant LinkedIn events where these prospects gather • Used Dripify to build and manage targeted lead lists • Set up a system to send 150 connection requests weekly The room was hooked. Questions flew. Notes were taken. This was peer learning at its best. Step 2: The approach Instead of pitching, they used this simple formula: • "Saw you at [event]" → personalized icebreaker • Added value with a thoughtful endorsement • Followed with a casual, non-salesy message • Maintained 1,500 active connection requests at all times Other students jumped in. Added their tricks. Shared what worked for them. Real learning happened. Step 3: The results The numbers don't lie: • 22% connection accept rate (some campaigns hitting 40%) • Consistent flow of positive responses • 24 qualified meetings booked • Growing pipeline of potential deals The best part: each new connection becomes a content follower. First, he builds the audience with otureah, then feeds them with content once they’re connected. Why LinkedIn crushed cold email: • Limited volume forces focus • Higher intent = higher conversions • Every connection boosts future content visibility This isn't outreach. It's audience-building with compounding ROI. He knew his exact CPL ($37) and was optimizing toward $24. Try doing that with cold email. This is why our course is different: The best insights don't just come from teachers. They come from peers solving real problems. Here's what matters: Most real estate sales training focuses on: • Cold calling scripts that nobody answers • Email templates that get filtered as spam • Meeting tactics that feel forced and fake But the game has changed. Today's winners focus on: • Strategic targeting through Sales Navigator (essential tool) • Building an audience while generating leads simultaneously • Feeding that audience valuable content consistently • Converting followers into clients over time When was the last time a cold call turned into a real estate deal? If you’re selling to real estate owners, check out the Proptech Pipeline Playbook linked in the comments. It’s everything you need to: • Nail your pitch • Connect with real estate owners • Unlock $10m of pipeline in 2025 Oh, and it’s free.