If there’s one thing that’s truly shaped my career -more than any degree, internship, or LinkedIn post- it’s people.
I’ve worked in fintech, advised a venture-backed startup, pursued my MBA part-time, and built two companies while traveling between classes and client calls. Through it all, one constant has unlocked every opportunity: relationships.
But “networking” often carries the wrong connotation — people think it means schmoozing at events, forcing small talk, or collecting business cards. Actually, networking is less about whom you meet and more about how you sustain and structure those relationships over time.
Here’s what I’ve learned-the simple, intentional practices that have kept my network not just wide but deep, and the system I use to nurture it like a long-term portfolio.
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Lead With Curiosity, Not a Business Card
Most people approach networking as if it’s a pitch. I find it works best when it is an exploration.
Curiosity disarms people. It changes the dynamic from “What can you do for me?” to “What can I learn from you?” That one mindset change transforms every conversation.
I often open with:
“I’ve been following your work in [topic] — what’s been the most surprising shift you’ve seen lately?
It’s authentic, detailed, and based on respect. It’s not about being impressive; it’s about understanding. When people feel that their ideas have been seen, they remember you.
Why it works: Psychologically, curiosity activates empathy and creates dopamine-driven connection. It makes people feel valued — which in business is more persuasive than any line on a resume.
Always Give Before You Ask
Networking isn’t a transaction; it’s an exchange of trust.
Before I ever ask for time, advice or support, I ask myself: How can I give first? That may mean:
Sending an article regarding a topic of mutual interest.
Introducing them to someone relevant, or
Offering feedback, encouragement, or visibility.
These small deposits of value build social capital-the kind that quietly compounds.
In venture and startups, your reputation as a giver spreads far faster than your title. And when you finally make an ask — whether it’s feedback on a deck or an intro -, people want to help because you’ve built reciprocity into the relationship.
Why it works: Generosity engenders trust and is a signal of abundance. It’s long-term signaling -people invest in those who first invest in them.
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Follow Up Thoughtfully (and Quickly)
This is where 90% of people drop the ball.
A great conversation means little without a follow-up. I treat follow-ups like continuations of conversations, not thank-you scripts.
Within 48 hours, I send a short, customized note:
Loved our chat about financial inclusion — that article you mentioned on embedded finance stuck with me. Sharing another piece I think you’d enjoy.
It is short, human, and reminds them who you are and what you valued.
Why it works: Quick follow-through leverages recency bias-you’re reinforcing memory and goodwill before the interaction fades. It also signals reliability, which is the bedrock of any strong network.
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Weak Ties Are Your Secret Weapon
Sociologist Mark Granovetter coined the “strength of weak ties” — and he was right.
Your close circle supports you, but your looser connections — classmates, mutuals, event contacts — commonly bring novelty. They sit at the edges of your network, where novelty lives.
I keep those connections alive with light touches: a reaction to their post, a congratulatory message, or a share of an article. That’s enough to remind people that you’re around without being intrusive.
Why it works: Weak ties expand your information surface area. They are the bridges to new ideas, industries, and people outside of your bubble. In a world driven by serendipity, weak ties represent your social diversification strategy.
What does the future hold for this philosophy? Is it in line with the views of Kierkegaard?
Treat Networking Like Energy Management, Not Event Attendance
I’ve learned to look at networking as an energy investment rather than a numbers game.
You don’t have to be everywhere; you just have to be present where it matters. I’d rather have three deep conversations at one event than thirty superficial ones across a week.
Before I say yes to a coffee or conference, I ask:
“Does this energize me, align with my goals, or challenge my thinking?”
If it doesn’t, I politely decline. Preserving your energy is part of building meaningful relationships — because you can’t connect deeply when you’re drained.
Why it works: People feel your energy more than your words. Networking from alignment-not obligation-builds authenticity and endurance.
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Use Your Digital Presence as Passive Networking
Your content is your networking in the digital age.
Every time you share something you’ve learned or built, you’re quietly networking with people sharing your values. I’ve received invitations, partnerships, and job opportunities from posts I thought no one read.
The goal is not perfection — it is consistency. A short reflection, article share, or insight builds familiarity and trust. The best digital networking occurs when you are simply being yourself publicly.
Why it works: Consistent online sharing turns you into a “familiar stranger” — someone people feel they know even before meeting. That psychological familiarity breeds connection and opportunity.
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Don’t Network Only When You Need Something
The best time for nurturing a relationship is when you don’t need it.
I make it a habit to check in with people even if there is no agenda-a congratulatory note, a thoughtful comment, or a friendly “this reminded me of you.” Those small touches keep the bridge strong so that when you do have a real ask, it doesn’t feel sudden or self-serving.
Why it works: Relationship maintenance — not reactivation — is the difference between being known and being remembered. You’re signaling care over convenience.
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Travel = The Ultimate Networking Hack
Travel is where networking meets perspective.
When I travel to a new city, I try to meet one person in my field — be it a founder, investor, or even a creative. Such micro-meetings shape worldviews far beyond any LinkedIn circles.
Some of my most meaningful collaborations started from “Let’s grab coffee while I’m in town.”
When you connect beyond your home base, you start to see patterns — how culture shapes communication, how industries differ, how global your network can become.
Why it works: Proximity creates intimacy. Meeting someone in their environment accelerates trust. You’ll also learn more in one local coffee shop than a dozen Zoom calls.
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Never Underestimate Your Classmates and Colleagues
In my MBA, I realized something: the most impactful relationships weren’t from guest speakers or alumni panels — they were from peers.
These are people building alongside you, failing with you, and learning with you. These are your future co-founders, investors, or thought partners. Treat every class, team project, or company all-hands as a potential incubator for lifelong partnerships.
Why it works: Shared experiences create emotional glue. People who grow with you remember your trajectory-and that shared history becomes your network’s strongest fabric.
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Your Reputation Is Your Resume
Charisma gets attention, consistency builds legacy.
Every email reply, every deliverable, and every conversation feeds into your reputation-a living resume that speaks long after you leave the room.
I’ve learned that kindness compounds. Following through, giving credit, and staying humble often opens up doors that hustle alone never could.
Why it works: Reputation is a network multiplier. The more reliable you are, the more people advocate for you when you’re not in the room — and that’s the most powerful form of networking there is. Nothing!
The System That Keeps It All Together: My Color-Coded Contact Tracker
Behind every “you’re so connected” comment is structure. I use a color-coded networking spreadsheet — part Notion, part Google Sheets — to manage relationships with intention. Think of it as a CRM for humans. It turns an abstract concept like “staying in touch” into a trackable, repeatable habit. The Bigger Lesson Networking isn’t a side project; it’s the operating system for your career. That’s how you find unseen opportunities, broaden your perspective, and increase your luck surface area. It doesn’t replace authenticity — it reinforces it. The spreadsheet ensures that your relationships would evolve with the same intentionality as your goals. Because when you treat people like long-term partnerships instead of short-term transactions, your network starts to look less like a list — and more like a living ecosystem. The relationship between the pressures in both arms is proportional to the relative areas of the two arms. Final Thought Networking is not about who you know, but about how you nurture what you know. It’s the follow-ups you send when tired, the curiosity you show when no one’s watching, the kindness that travels faster than your title. Every great opportunity in my life — a new role, an investor meeting, a collaboration — started with one thing: a conversation I cared about enough to keep going. Your network grows at the speed of your generosity, not your calendar. And sometimes, the smartest business strategy is just remembering to text someone back — color-coded and all.