Networking

Welcome back to another edition of Next-Level Skills. Each edition, we explore the human and leadership capabilities that help us navigate work and life more effectively. Skills that move beyond theory and into practical application.

A warm welcome to everyone who has joined our community since the last edition. Whether you've been with us since the beginning or have recently discovered the newsletter or the book, thank you for being part of this journey.

Today we’re diving into a skill that’s often misunderstood and occasionally undervalued: Networking.

Not the cold, transactional kind. But the warm, meaningful kind that builds bridges, not business cards.

A few years ago, I found myself at an industry breakfast. I didn’t feel like going. I was buried in a project, mentally fatigued, and convinced I had nothing to gain.

But I went.

I sat next to someone I didn’t know, struck up a light conversation over coffee, and ended up learning something that helped me unlock a challenge we were wrestling with for weeks at work. Months later, that same person became a partner on a major initiative.

That wasn’t luck. That was the quiet power of showing up and being open.

Many of us picture networking as loud rooms, awkward small talk, and people exchanging contacts they’ll never use. That’s the outdated model.

Real networking is relationship-building with intention. It’s about being curious, being useful, and being remembered.

The fastest way to change yourself is to hang out with people who are already the way you want to be.

— Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn

When we stop treating networking as an event and start treating it as a habit, it becomes a tool for growth, not a task to dread.

Strong networks are diverse, layered, and dynamic. It helps to think of them in three categories.

1. 1
   Operational

   These are the colleagues and partners we work with regularly. We rely on each other to get things done.
2. 2
   Personal

   Trusted mentors, coaches, and peers who help us reflect, learn, and stay grounded.
3. 3
   Strategic

   These are forward-looking connections that open doors, challenge thinking, and help us see what’s coming next.

Each network plays a different role. The goal isn’t to know everyone.

Let’s explore now how to do that well.

1. 1
   Pro Tip 1: Lead With Curiosity, Not Card-Swapping

   Instead of thinking “What can I get from this person?”, ask “What can I learn from them?” Curiosity builds stronger bridges than credentials ever will.
2. 2
   Pro Tip 2: Follow Up Before You Need To

   We often reach out only when we need help. Instead, drop a message to say thanks, share something relevant, or congratulate someone on their work. People remember how we made them feel.
3. 3
   Pro Tip 3: Be a Connector

   Introduce people who should know each other. It makes us memorable and expands goodwill in our network.
4. 4
   Pro Tip 4: Show Up in Small Ways

   Comment thoughtfully on someone’s post. Send a relevant article. Share a resource. These micro-connections build macro trust.
5. 5
   Pro Tip 5: Nurture, Don’t Collec

   A small number of meaningful relationships beats a large contact list. Focus on building depth over breadth.

In-person events are great, but digital platforms have levelled the playing field.

LinkedIn is no longer just a CV site. It’s a learning and connecting platform. Communities on Slack, Teams, Substack, and Discord are also great spaces for meaningful exchange.

Explore the ideas further in the book.

This and other essential skills are covered in Next-Level Skills — the book.

Learn more about the Book →

Try one of these three things to build stronger networks:

Networking isn’t about climbing. It’s about connecting. When we view relationships as opportunities to learn, give, and grow, everything changes.

In a world driven by algorithms and automations, it’s our human touch that stands out. Let’s not network for visibility. Let’s network for value, for ourselves and for others.

And remember, the best time to build our network is before we need it. The second-best time is now.

What are your thoughts on effective and warm networking? Would love to hear from you!

Until Next Time,

Abhishek
Founder & CEO, LegiQ | Building Intelligent Edge Hardware

• ✓Put the frameworks into practice this month.
• ✓Use the reflection prompts inside the book.
• ✓Build habits that compound over time.

Apply these ideas and elevate your leadership.

This and other essential skills are covered in Next-Level Skills — the book.

Learn more about the Book →