Take Care of Your Network. And Your Network Will Take Care of You.

Event number two of 2024 did not disappoint! Jen Mond of Hodge spoke to us all about networking. And not the networking that is just about climbing the corporate ladder. The kind of networking that leads you to personal growth and community development.

If Connecting Is Hard, Start By Reconnecting

Reaching out to new people is hard. But the thing is, you already have a wide network of people from your life. Maybe it’s a childhood neighbor, a colleague from years past, or even a distant cousin. These are all people in your peripheral network that are a great place to start. It is easy to tap the people in our immediate circle, those people who will go to bat for us without hesitation. But the reality is, there are more people out there that want to connect. Start by reconnecting.

We spent a lot of time this evening getting to know each other in attendance. The two questions we weren’t allowed to ask were where do you work or what do you do? These are the most base-level questions we ask of others and the reality is we are so much more. It’s hard to dig into conversation with people we don’t know without asking these somewhat routine questions, but if you take one extra step to find out something new, you will find a point of connection that builds your network, both personally and professionally.

Jen also gave each of our attendees a blank note card, envelope, and stamp. The task was simple, reconnect with someone. The written word is incredibly powerful in connecting with our network. The care and intentionality it takes to write someone these days will change their mood without fail. Because at the end of the day, networking is just building your community and taking care of your people. Make them feel seen, make them feel loved. We challenge you to do this same activity!

Jen’s 10 Big Takeaways on Networking

1. If connecting seems hard, start by re-connecting.

2. Don’t underestimate the power of weak ties.

3. Fill structural holes.

4. Think it, say it, write it, send it.

5. Plant seeds and watch them grow.

6. Get over embarrassment.

7. Create your own luck.

8. Go through your circle.

9. Define your success buckets.

10. Be where your feet are.