Tips for Purpose-Driven Networking

Networking without a why is just another meeting. I recently reconnected with someone I hadn’t talked to in years — and now, they’re a successful HR leader. What struck me wasn’t just how much they’ve grown, but how intentional our conversation felt. We weren’t just “catching up.” We both came into it with a why: to learn, to share, and to see where our paths might intersect again. That’s the part people often overlook about networking — it’s not about collecting contacts. It’s about creating connections with purpose. So before your next call or coffee chat, ask yourself: Why am I reaching out? What do I hope to give or gain? And if you’re not sure how to frame that, here are a few prompts you can use to guide follow-up conversations: 🔹 “I’d love to hear how you navigated [specific challenge/transition].” 🔹 “What skills or experiences have been most valuable in your career journey?” 🔹 “What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who wants to grow in this field?” 🔹 “Are there ways I could add value to the work you’re doing?” 🔹 “Who else would you recommend I learn from or connect with?” Networking done well isn’t about having the perfect pitch — it’s about showing up with intention and leaving the other person better for having spent time with you. How do you prepare for your networking calls? Do you go in with a why, or do you keep it open-ended?

The Art of Intentional Networking: It’s Not About Who You Know—It’s About How You Show Up I talk a lot about networking, and that's because most networking events I attend still feel transactional: a business card exchange, a LinkedIn request with no follow-up, and a conversation that ends when the event does. But that's not how real relationships are built. Intentional networking is different. It’s not about collecting contacts but about showing up purposefully and creating meaningful connections. Intentional Networking means... Listening first. Too often, people come into conversations ready to pitch. What if we approached networking with curiosity instead? Asking better questions leads to better relationships. Adding value without expectation. The most impactful connections I’ve made weren’t built on “what can you do for me?” but rather “how can I support you?” Genuine generosity has a way of coming full circle. Following up with authenticity. A quick “great to meet you” email is fine, but a personal note about what resonated in our conversation? That’s how you stand out. In the events world, the magic isn’t just in the big moments—it’s in the details. The same applies to networking. A single meaningful connection can open more doors than a hundred surface-level ones ever will. What’s one intentional connection you’ve made that changed the game for you?

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

I remember my first professional conference like it was yesterday. I walked in, clutching my notebook like a lifeline, feeling like I was about to jump into a shark tank. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 ��𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗺𝘀 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁. I kept thinking, “What if I embarrass myself?” or “What if no one wants to talk to me?” Sound familiar? But here’s the truth: 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸! Many of us view it as a necessary evil, a chore we must endure to avoid negative outcomes (what we call a 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀). But what if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way? Instead of seeing networking as a burden, try to envision it as an exciting opportunity to broaden your horizons and foster personal and professional growth (this is the 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀). It’s all about shifting your perspective to embrace the endless possibilities that come with connecting with others. If you find yourself stuck in that “I have to do this” mindset, don’t worry! Here are some fun ways to flip the script: 💫 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Treat conferences and networking events as opportunities to learn. When you approach them with curiosity, they become way more interesting! Who doesn’t love a good learning experience? 💫 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀: Finding shared passions with others can make conversations flow so much easier. It’s all about connection! 💫 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲: Instead of just thinking about what you can gain, consider what unique insights or talents you can share. It makes networking feel more like a two-way street. 💫 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: When your networking efforts align with a meaningful mission, it becomes so much more rewarding. Think about what drives you and how you can connect with others who share that vision. And here’s the best part: 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁 (𝗜’𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳) 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴! Whether you’re outgoing or more reserved, it’s all about your mindset. 𝗕𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿. 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴!

𝐀 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨, 𝐈 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬, 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬. By the end of the day, my pocket was full of business cards, but I couldn’t remember half the conversations. That’s when it hit me: networking isn’t about collecting names, titles, or LinkedIn connections. It’s about building relationships that actually matter. Here’s what I learned the hard way: - When you treat networking as a numbers game, you end up with contacts, not connections. - When you reach out without a clear purpose, people can sense it—and the conversation rarely goes far. - When you don’t nurture relationships over time, they fade away before any real value is created. So what works instead? - Adopt a value-first mindset. Before reaching out, I ask myself, “How can I contribute to this person’s journey before asking for anything?” Sometimes it’s sharing an article, making an introduction, or just offering encouragement. - Prepare before connecting. A little research goes a long way. Personalizing a message shows genuine respect for someone’s time and creates a much stronger first impression. - Maintain relationships. I’ve learned that small, consistent touches—congratulating someone on a promotion, commenting thoughtfully on their posts, or checking in periodically—make a big difference in keeping connections alive. Over time, I’ve discovered that quality connections always outweigh quantity. The few meaningful relationships I’ve nurtured have opened more doors, created more opportunities, and led to more collaboration than any pile of business cards ever could. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨-𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴? #NetworkingStrategy #ProfessionalGrowth #BusinessRelationships #CareerDevelopment #LinkedInTips #RelationshipBuilding #CoachIshleenKaur #InternationalBusinessCoach LinkedIn News LinkedIn News India LinkedIn for Small Business

As an HR professional, I’m often asked about networking and how to approach it effectively. Networking is not just about meeting people—it’s a powerful tool for personal development, continuous learning, and fostering meaningful connections. When done thoughtfully, it opens doors to new opportunities and helps you grow both personally and professionally. Here are three essential tips for successful networking: 1. Be Intentional * Set clear goals: Are you looking for mentorship, exploring new industries, or expanding your support network? Focus on quality not quantity. * Do your homework: Research attendees or speakers in advance and prepare thoughtful questions or talking points to guide your conversations. 2. Lead with Value * Networking is about building relationships, not just seeking personal gain. Shift your focus to “How can I help?” * Look for opportunities to support others—whether by sharing insights, offering resources, or making introductions that could be beneficial. 3. Keep the Connection Alive * After an event or meeting, follow up with a personalized message that references your conversation. * Maintain the relationship by staying in touch over time—share articles, updates, or simply check in to show you value the connection. Conversation Starters Consider these to spark engaging conversations: * "What’s the most exciting part of your current role or project?" * "What inspired you to attend this event today?" * "What’s a professional trend or topic you’re really interested in right now?" And one last tip: Put your phone down! Being fully present shows respect and builds deeper connections. What are your go-to networking strategies? I’d love to hear your thoughts! #Networking #Development #GrowthMindset

As a sworn introvert, here’s my guide to authentic networking — less cringe, more connection 👇🏽 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝘆 ❓ Do the ‘why’ exercise to find your true motivation. Start by defining your broad goal, write it down and ask yourself why you want to achieve it. Then, ask yourself why. And again, write down why. Once you find your true purpose, use it to steer you when you need a boost. 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 🫱🏽🫲🏻 When building your network, look for the right people to connect with and personalise your approach. Big group networking events full of strangers aren’t usually comfortable for me, but LinkedIn makes a one-on-one approach easy. 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 🙌🏽 Especially for introverts, expending social energy can be tiring so it’s important to find what works best for you. It might be joining group chats or online communities rather than speed-dating type networking mixers, or having a colleague or friend set up an introduction with someone like-minded. 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 🤲🏽 If you offer others value upfront, you’ll receive it back in unexpected ways. Asking for what you want can feel awkward and uncomfortable, so offering a resource, a connection or food for thought is a low touch way to build a relationship from scratch. Networking doesn’t have to be icky — it can be authentic, and even enriching. What’s your favourite networking tip? ✨ Read my article, The Introvert’s Guide To Networking, published by AllBright - link in the comments.