“Your network is your net worth.” (Porter Gale, Virgin America) But how does that work? In many ways, networking is the lifeblood of career growth and development. Whether you're seeking a new job, looking for a mentor, or trying to expand your skills, building strong professional connections is essential. However, many people approach networking as a transactional process—a means to an end, rather than a genuine effort to build relationships.

Networking for work, as Heidi Roizen, entrepreneur, and lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, describes, is not about transactional exchanges or simply collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections. It’s about building genuine, trust-based relationships over time. Here are some actionable strategies that align with her approach:

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.

10 Ways To Grow Your Network

1. Focus on Relationships, Not Transactions

• Be Authentic: Don't approach networking with the sole intention of getting something. Instead, prioritise building a meaningful relationship. Focus on understanding the other person's experiences, goals, and challenges.
• Offer Value First: Whenever possible, try to help others without expecting anything in return. This could mean providing advice, sharing resources, or connecting them with someone in your network who can assist.
• Avoid Asking for Favours Immediately: Like Roizen says, don't ask for something the first time you meet someone. Networking is about establishing trust over time, not rushing to use someone’s resources for your own gain.

Related Story: 7 Habits That Are Leaving You More Exhausted Than Your Work

2. Use "Aggressive Hour" for Networking

• Schedule Time for Proactive Networking: Block off a period of your day, like one hour, to focus purely on positive outreach. Use this time to send thoughtful emails, make calls, or even attend virtual networking events. This is time dedicated to relationship-building that isn’t reactive or driven by someone else's request—it's entirely focused on you nurturing connections with people you value.
• Create Routine for Outreach: By setting aside one hour a day, you make networking a regular part of your schedule, not something that gets pushed aside due to work demands. Over time, this habit will pay off as your network grows and deepens.

Related Story: How to Identify And Deal With Signs of Burnout

3. Gradually Build Your Network with Controlled Randomness

• Engage in “Controlled Randomness”: “Controlled randomness” means putting yourself in environments where you can meet interesting, like-minded people, but not necessarily planning every interaction. For example, attend industry conferences, meetups, or workshops, but be open to engaging with people outside of your immediate field. Not every new connection will directly benefit you, but you never know where those serendipitous encounters can lead.
• Look Beyond the Most Obvious Connections: When attending an event, don’t just target the most “important” people. Instead, identify people who are in a similar career stage or have similar goals. You can stand out by walking up to someone and saying, “I noticed we both share an interest in [topic] and I wanted to introduce myself.” This helps create meaningful relationships that might be overlooked by others chasing the top names in the room.

Related Story: 5 Stages of Burnout--An Expert's Guide to Cope

4. Be Curious About People

• Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in the people you meet. Ask open-ended questions about their backgrounds, challenges, and what excites them in their work. People enjoy talking about themselves, and this gives you insight into how you can form a meaningful connection.
• Respect Boundaries: If someone isn't interested in continuing the conversation or connecting further, don't push them. Networking is about mutual respect, and sometimes the best thing you can do is gracefully move on.

Related Story: 8 Ways to Bring Mindfulness to Your Work Day

5. Leverage Your Network for Mutual Benefit

• Be a Connector: Roizen emphasises the importance of “fellow travellers.” In networking, one of the best things you can do is introduce people to others who might help them, even if there’s no direct benefit for you. These acts of generosity can often come back to you in unexpected ways.
• Make it a Two-Way Street: Rather than just reaching out to someone for help or advice, think about how you can help them in return. It could be sharing information, offering introductions, or supporting their initiatives. Mutual benefit strengthens the bond.

Related Story: How to Say No Without Feeling Guilty

6. Make Yourself Easy to Find and Understand

• Update Your Social Media Profiles: The first step in effective networking is ensuring that people can find you and learn about what you're up to. Review and update your LinkedIn profile, professional bio, and any other public social media accounts to reflect your current role, achievements, and career interests. This makes it easier for people to connect with you, especially when they’re looking for relevant professionals in your industry.
• Be Visible: Actively engage on platforms like LinkedIn. Share insights or comment on posts that resonate with you.

Related Story: Declutter Your Life, Declutter Your Mind

7. Respect Their Time and Space

• Be Mindful of Time: Don't default to requesting long meetings unless absolutely necessary. Be mindful that many professionals are busy, and a 15-minute chat may be more appealing than a 60-minute coffee. Use your initial outreach to set expectations for time commitment.
• Give Permission to Say No: Make it clear that you understand if someone can’t help. Ending your request with something like, “If this doesn’t work for you, I completely understand,” gives them the space to decline without feeling guilty or pressured.

Related Story: How to be More Mindful At Work And Home>

8. Focus on Quality, Not Quantity

• Build Deep Connections: Instead of trying to meet as many people as possible, aim to build a smaller group of solid relationships. Focus on a few people that you resonate with and can help in some way, even if it’s just being a sounding board.
• Follow Up Thoughtfully: After meeting someone, always follow up with a personal note or email that reflects your conversation. Don’t just add them to your contact list without any context. Show that you value the connection and are interested in staying in touch.

Related Story: 7 Habits That Are Leaving You More Exhausted Than Your Work

9. Follow Up Thoughtfully and Consistently

• Be Consistent in Your Communication: Build a reputation for being reliable and respectful in your communication. This includes always following up on commitments, responding promptly to messages, and maintaining a professional, yet personable tone.
• Follow Up on Milestones or Achievements: If someone you know achieves something significant—such as receiving funding, publishing an article, or launching a new product—send them a brief congratulatory message. It’s a simple way to show you’re paying attention and respect their achievements. This keeps the relationship warm and authentic.
• Keep It Low Pressure: If you haven’t been in touch for a while, reaching out doesn’t have to feel awkward or forced. Just say something like, “I recently saw you were featured in [article or news]—congratulations! Hope all is well.”

Related Story: How to Spot And Deal With Workplace Bullying

10. Use Social Media for Relationship Tracking, Not Just Building

• Track People’s Journeys: Social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, are valuable for keeping up with the careers of people you know or would like to know. You can follow someone’s job transitions, achievements, or thoughts on industry trends, which helps you stay informed and find opportunities to connect. For instance, if someone you know gets a promotion or is mentioned in an article, reach out with a congratulatory message. This shows you’re paying attention and are genuinely interested in their work.
• Don’t Rely Solely on Social Media: While social media is a helpful tool for maintaining relationships, it should not replace in-person or more personal forms of communication. Always aim to balance your online interactions with real-world, one-on-one connections.

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.

Networking is about more than just advancing your career—it’s about building meaningful, long-lasting relationships. The strategies taught at Stanford highlight the importance of trust, authenticity, and mutual respect in professional connections. Focusing on offering value to others, being proactive in your outreach, and showing genuine interest in people’s work will help you develop a network that supports your growth while contributing to the success of others.