"One truth I've learned after years in leadership is that the best time to network is when you don't need anything from anyone. It's how you can keep conversations genuine and ensure connections last. Too many people treat networking as a transactional act-something to do when you're job hunting, fundraising or problem-solving in an urgent scenario. But the real value comes from the relationships that are built and maintained in the quiet, in-between moments."
"Before you start reconnecting, make sure your online presence reflects who you are today. Update your LinkedIn, refresh your photo and ensure your headline and bio tell your current story. The content you consume will shape your ideas and your network, so follow people you admire in your field or industry, as well as ones outside your lane. Curate your feeds with podcasts, newsletters and creators that spark your thinking."
Network proactively when not in need, because genuine conversations and lasting connections come from relationships maintained in quiet, in-between moments rather than transactional interactions. Keep online presence polished and current: update LinkedIn, refresh photo, and ensure headline and bio reflect current story. Curate the content you consume by following admired people in and outside your field, and use podcasts, newsletters, and creators that spark thinking. Share insights across LinkedIn and niche forums, comment thoughtfully, and write posts that invite conversation; curiosity and question-starting can be more powerful than delivering conclusions. Make a list of former colleagues, classmates, conference contacts, and collaborators and check whether you are connected on professional platforms.
Read at Forbes
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