Your Networking Currency Is Authenticity
Okay, class, lean in and listen closely. Let’s debunk one of the most pervasive myths plaguing our professional and personal lives: networking. For many, the word conjures up images of slick-haired MBAs in ill-fitted suits, passing out business cards with the zeal of a teenager on TikTok. But that’s not networking; that’s just bad theater.
Let’s reframe this. You think networking is about what you can extract from your Rolodex? Wrong. Dead wrong. The cornerstone of meaningful connections isn’t taking — it’s giving. Think about it. Nobody wants to connect with someone whose first and last thought is, “What’s in it for me?” The universe has a fantastic accountant, and it always, always balances the books. You try to extract more than you put in, and you’re going to end up bankrupt. Not just in business, but in relationships, friendships, and trust.
The great businesses, the enduring brands — they all start with one question: “How can we add value?” That’s it. And that’s how you should approach networking. It’s about investing without expecting immediate returns. It’s about planting seeds, watering them, letting the sun do its thing, and only then, enjoying the fruits.
You know that person at conferences, the one who interrupts conversations to hand out their card, hoping to bag a connection or a deal? They’re playing the short game. They might get a quick win, but in the long run, they’re left with shallow connections and even shallower trust. Don’t be that person. Be the one who listens, who offers help without being asked, who follows up just to check in, not check out what they can gain.
In the sprawling digital bazaar we live in, the currency is no longer just dollars and cents. It’s authenticity, it’s trust, it’s empathy. So, next time you’re thinking about “networking,” ask yourself: What can I offer? What value can I bring? How can I make this person’s day, week, or year better?
Remember: In a world driven by transactions, transformational relationships are the true gold. Stop counting cards and start counting the genuine, honest-to-God connections you can forge by just being human. Give more than you take, and the universe — and your network — will give back in spades.
Brian Fink is the author of Tech Talk 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.
