Reframing Networking as a Strategic Asset
Somewhere along the way, “networking” became a dirty word.
It started to conjure images of working a room, collecting business cards, or adding people on LinkedIn you’d never actually met. At its best, though, networking has never been about card stacks or contact lists. It’s about relationships: think of it more like networking as a strategic asset. The kind that grows, compounds, and pays off in unexpected ways.
And that makes it more than a social nicety. Done well and for the right reasons, networking is a strategic asset.
Why the Word Needs Reclaiming
In today’s environment, plenty of people who were coasting comfortably in their roles earlier this year are now navigating layoffs or sudden changes. They find themselves dusting off résumés and scrambling to reconnect with people they haven’t spoken to in years.
It can feel awkward, even desperate. But it doesn’t have to, if you’ve been cultivating your network all along. And if you haven’t, the good news is: it’s never too late to start.
Because we all have something to offer our networks, no matter where we sit. And often the best way to lift your own spirits in a tough moment is to help someone else.
Principles I Follow
When I think about networking, I picture a “reservoir of goodwill” that fills over time. Here are a few principles that have guided me:
- It’s non-linear, so don’t keep score. The value of relationships rarely shows up where or when you expect. Years ago, I shared some advice with a peer who wasn’t in a position to hire me. A year later, she referred me into what became one of my biggest clients. That’s the essence of non-linear networking: you might give in one place and receive in another. Trying to balance the ledger misses the point.
- The reservoir matters. Small, sincere touches make a difference: sharing an article with a line about why it reminded me of someone, remembering a milestone, making a thoughtful introduction, or even sending a quick note of encouragement. None of these gestures are dramatic on their own. But over time they build a reservoir that others feel and remember.
- Candor builds trust. We all have LinkedIn “connections” we barely know (or can’t even remember how we met). If someone asks me for an introduction I can’t genuinely make, I’ll say so. But I’ll offer an alternative if I can: sharing context on how I know the person (however lightly), pointing them to someone in my network who’s closer, or suggesting another path in. Honesty in these moments doesn’t weaken trust; it strengthens it.
- Networks are plural. Too often, we reduce networking to “professional contacts.” In reality, opportunities come from many circles: friends, college alumni, current and former colleagues, book clubs, parents from your kids’ school. The overlap of these circles often creates the most surprising value. I touched on this in my recent “Daisy Chain” post.
It’s never too late to start
I’ve seen people who hadn’t nurtured their networks in years suddenly need them, but still find ways to re-engage. The key is to begin with generosity. Offer help. Share knowledge. Make an introduction. The act of helping someone else is not only the best way back in; it’s also a good way to improve your own outlook.
The Leadership Lens
For leaders, networking isn’t just about personal career insurance. It’s a resilience system. Networks buffer downturns, open doors, expand perspective, and provide a sounding board when decisions are complex and stakes are high.
That’s why I see networking not as a transaction, but as an accrual. And like any asset, it grows in value the earlier and more consistently you invest in it.
Featured image by Brandon DesJarlais on Unsplash
