The Art of Networking

The word "networking" has always made me shudder. Not a full-on panic shake, but a small cringe—like when you see a bad fashion trend resurface that should have stayed buried in the ‘90s (looking at you, low-rise jeans).

Why? Honestly, I can’t pinpoint just one reason, but it always felt forced. I pictured awkward handshakes, small talk about the weather, a polite exchange of work-related questions, and then the obligatory, “Let’s do this again soon!”—which, of course, never happens.

And the irony? I’ve literally facilitated networking groups, mentor-mentee pairings, and GTKY (get-to-know-you) sessions in past workplaces.

So, why am I writing this if I’ve spent years side-eyeing the concept?

Because I finally realized the problem wasn’t networking itself—it was me. I had built up this idea of networking as a transactional exchange rather than an actual skill to be honed. I never learned the art of it. And yes, there is an art to it.

It’s the ability to sit with someone and actually listen—not just waiting for your turn to talk or thinking about how to steer the conversation back to yourself. It’s about genuinely absorbing their journey—their wins, their failures, their hard-earned lessons. And instead of rushing to figure out how it benefits you in the long run, it’s about being present in the right now.

(Yes, that last line made me cringe too, but sometimes the truth isn’t cool—it’s just true.)

TL;DR: Learning to listen is the key to networking. It’s not about how many contacts you have in your Rolodex (Gen Z, ask your mom what that is) but about the knowledge they can share—and, more importantly, what you do with it.