Constructing A Trampoline
In a universe brimming with career advice that’s as bland as airport sushi, the directive to network horizontally slices through the noise like a hot knife through butter. This isn’t your grandma’s networking strategy, where you aimlessly schmooze with the higher-ups, hoping for a scrap of opportunity. No, this is the Fink gospel of networking — a manifesto for the ambitious, the astute, and the audacious.
Let’s cut to the chase: the corporate ladder isn’t just vertical; it’s a lattice. The connections that truly matter, the ones that will catalyze your career trajectory, are not just above you; they’re all around you. Your peers, the under-the-radar power players, are the hidden gems in this game of professional chess. Today’s colleague at a similar rung on the ladder could be tomorrow’s industry titan, and guess what? They have memories like elephants.
The obsession with vertical networking is a rookie mistake, a myopic pursuit that reeks of desperation. It’s akin to being the person at the party who’s always looking over the shoulder of the person they’re talking to, searching for someone more influential to latch onto. It’s transparent, it’s tacky, and frankly, it’s tired.
Instead, invest in horizontal networking. These are the relationships that are built on mutual respect, shared challenges, and common goals. They’re the ones forged in the fire of “We’re in this together,” not the fleeting shadow of “What can you do for me?” This is where the magic happens. These peers, your professional compatriots, will climb the ranks, switch industries, launch startups, and when they do, you won’t just be a name in their LinkedIn inbox; you’ll be a valued connection, a remembered ally.
Moreover, this approach democratizes success. It says that the path to professional nirvana isn’t paved by pandering to the powers that be but by building a robust, diverse network of peers who support and elevate each other. It’s a testament to the power of collective advancement over individual ascension.
And here’s the kicker: when you network horizontally, you’re not just building a safety net for your career; you’re constructing a trampoline. These relationships will not only catch you when you fall; they’ll propel you to heights you didn’t think possible. They’re the ones who’ll have your back, challenge you, inspire you, and yes, when the time comes, recommend and hire you.
So, let’s recalibrate our networking GPS. The route marked “upward” is oversaturated and underwhelming. The path less traveled, the horizontal one, is ripe with opportunity, camaraderie, and potential. Your tribe is waiting for you, not above you, but beside you. Start building those connections today, and watch as they transform not just your career, but your conception of success itself.
Brian Fink is the author of Talk Tech To Me. He takes on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplifies them for the modern recruiter. Fink’s impassioned wit and humor tackle the highs and lows of technical recruiting with a unique perspective — a perspective intended to help you find, engage, and partner with professionals.
