Networking Is Just Relationship-Building (Really!)

Many years ago, I was invited to a “networking lunch” by one of the managing partners at the small professional services company I worked for. He was meeting up with a long-time contact of his from another firm, and I was asked to join. It was my first time attending anything labeled as a “networking” event, and I had no idea what to expect.

Here’s what I noticed at the lunch:

They didn’t talk about work at all.

They talked about their kids. They talked about sports. They laughed and caught up like old friends.

I remember sitting there thinking, Wait—this is networking? It felt more like two people enjoying lunch and catching up on life.

(To be honest, I had very little to contribute to the conversation. I was younger than both of them, a woman, and someone who didn’t have kids and knew next to nothing about sports. But that’s a story for another post.)

Still, that lunch taught me something important that has stayed with me ever since:

Networking is simply about building genuine relationships.

That’s it.

No elevator pitches. No forced small talk. Just connection.

Yes, these two likely referred clients to each other’s businesses over the years or even used each other’s services. But that wasn’t the point of the lunch. The point was to reconnect, strengthen their rapport, and nurture the trust they’d built over time. And I have no doubt that if either of them ever needed something professionally, the other would show up in a heartbeat.

So if the word “networking” makes you cringe, you’re not alone. But you might consider thinking about it a little differently. Instead of approaching it as a transactional or awkward obligation, think of it as investing in relationships with people you like, admire, or share values with. These are the folks who might, down the road, offer aligned Advice, Information, or Resources (AIR) when you need it.

And you might just do the same for them.

Have questions? Not sure where to start? I’d love to help—feel free to reach out! Schedule a Discovery Call with me here.