I was recently interviewed by Authority Magazine as part of their ongoing series on networking, where they talk to career coaches, networking experts, and thought leaders about how to build meaningful professional relationships. You can read the original interview on Authority Magazine. I’m sharing the full conversation here too.
The following is my interview with Authority Magazine’s editorial staff, in collaboration with Athalia Monae.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
I was always one of those kids who had no idea what they wanted to be when they grew up, and it gave me a lot of anxiety. So I poured myself into books, blogs, assessments, and classes trying to get clarity about what career would be the right fit. I ended up working at my college’s career center where I got to help my peers find internships and jobs, and then landed an Executive Assistant position after graduation. I worked my way up to a Director of Human Resources pretty quickly, leading people who were both younger and more experienced than me. It wasn’t my dream job by any stretch, but the best part was that I got to develop, coach, and grow people.
From there, I went on to work in leadership development, again getting to guide people through career growth. I initially thought I wanted to be a life coach, but life has a funny way of guiding you toward something that is meant for you, even when you can’t see it yet. From my early obsession with career development, to working at the career center, to realizing that the best part of every job I ever had was developing people, the throughline was always there.
In 2020, I faced my fears, worked through my blocks, and started my own coaching business. It was the best decision I ever made.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Early in my practice, I realized that no one is immune to self-doubt, imposter syndrome, a loud inner critic, or the occasional confidence bruise.
I worked with a group of high-level leaders who had been laid off from a Fortune 500 tech company. Some had been there for 20+ years and were dealing with the devastation, loss, shame, and shattered confidence that can come after being let go. On paper, they had incredible experience, and one might assume they’d have no problem picking themselves back up and hitting the ground running. But that wasn’t always the case.
It taught me that title and tenure don’t protect you from the same struggles we all face. They just show up in different packaging. That inner voice telling you that you’re not good enough? It doesn’t care how senior you are. It gave me a deeper sense of empathy and a reminder that so many of us are navigating the same challenges, whether we talk about them or not. Part of my role as a coach is to help people feel less alone in that, and more supported, validated, and capable of moving forward.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Resilience. Starting a business is hard, and I’ve faced plenty of challenges and setbacks along the way. Early on, the hard moments knocked me down, and it took me longer than I’d like to admit to pick myself back up. I spent years creating content no one engaged with, hosting workshops no one attended, and speaking into a void. There were moments I spiraled. But I kept showing up anyway, and over time I’ve done the inner work to get to a place where a setback barely slows me down. Now I process a “no” and move on to the next thing without much thought. That didn’t come naturally, it came from years of building the muscle.
Being a lifelong learner. I’m always investing in my own growth, as a business owner, as a coach, and as a leader myself. How can you expect others to invest in you if you don’t believe you’re worth investing in? I recently enrolled in a coaching certification program, and even after six years of coaching professionals, I’m still learning new things and new ways to support people. That excites me. I also love learning about the business side of running a practice: marketing, sales, strategy, and everything in between.
Mindset. The difference between where you are and where you want to be is almost always your mindset. I’m good at shifting mine. The key for me is awareness: recognizing when something isn’t working and making a conscious decision to change it. For a long time I told myself I was bad at sales and genuinely believed I didn’t have the skills for it. I started changing my self-talk to “I’m working on improving my sales skills” and “sales is really just connection, and I love connection.” Now it’s something I look forward to rather than avoid. You can convince your brain of almost anything. The problem is most of us only believe the negative things it tells us.
Let’s begin with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. How exactly do you define “networking?” Is it just about meeting new people?
Simply put, networking is connection. So many of my clients get tense when the topic comes up. They avoid it, procrastinate on it, and come up with every reason why they didn’t get to it. That’s because they’re operating under an outdated, overly formal definition where networking means pitching yourself to strangers in hopes of landing a job or a client. That’s not what it’s about.
Networking is a way to connect with people. To learn about their stories, to show up with curiosity, and to expand your world. When something more comes of it, that’s the cherry on top.
In today’s digital age, how important is face-to-face networking, and how do you balance it with online networking?
It depends on the person and their situation. For clients pursuing in-person or hybrid roles, or those looking to connect with a local audience, face-to-face networking is still a valuable tool. And it’s good for more than just career moves. One of my clients even met their life partner at a networking event!
That said, I wouldn’t limit yourself to in-person only. There is a whole world of online networking opportunities today, and for clients targeting remote roles or serving a regional or global audience, online is really all they need. My own business is fully remote, so online is where I spend nearly all of my networking time. The key is knowing where your people are and showing up there.
How do you maintain and nurture professional relationships over time, both in person and online, to ensure they remain fruitful and mutually beneficial?
Be strategic about it. Set calendar reminders to reach out to key people in your network on a regular basis, and don’t only reach out when you need something. Though if you do, there’s nothing wrong with that as long as you lead with the right approach.
Ask how you can support them. Offer to make introductions if that would be helpful. Show up with genuine curiosity about their work, their goals, and their lives when appropriate.
And if someone helps you out, follow up with a thank you and keep them in the loop on your progress. If you landed a job, tell them. They’re invested in where you end up.
At the end of the day, the best networking strategy is simple: be a good human.
How important is personal branding when it comes to successful networking, and how can individuals develop and maintain a strong personal brand both online and in person?
Personal branding is helpful, but you’re allowed to figure some of it out along the way. Sure, in a perfect world you’d walk into a room knowing exactly what you offer and what you’re looking for. But it’s also okay to show up and say, “I’m here to learn more about the roles that exist in this industry, get clarity on my next steps, and learn from others.”
That said, the goal is to get to a place where you can be clear about who you are, what you’re looking for, and how others can help you. The clearer you are, the easier it is for someone to actually support you.
Here’s an example. Which person would be easier to help?
Person A: “I have five years of experience as a project manager and I’m looking for a new job.”
Person B: “I’ve spent the last five years as a project manager at an early stage startup and I’m exploring what’s next. I’m really interested in learning more about how project management works inside more established companies with defined structures and clear growth paths. If you know anyone in that world, I’d love an introduction.”
Person B is easier to help because they’re specific about what they want to learn and who they want to meet. That’s the sweet spot.
As for personal branding when it comes to your online presence, it doesn’t have to be as intense as that phrase implies. You don’t need to become a content creator or thought leader. But I would recommend keeping an updated and somewhat active LinkedIn profile. That can be as simple as checking in every few months, leaving a comment, reposting something that resonates with you, or posting something yourself, and then logging off. You don’t have to do any of this, but you’ll be glad you did when it’s time to tap into your network.
What is your advice for young professionals who are just starting to build their network? How can they effectively reach out to and connect with experienced leaders in their field?
Start now. I tell my young professional clients that investing in networking early in your career is like investing in your retirement at a young age: you want to take advantage of compound interest. Imagine the size and depth of your network 30 years from now if you start at 22.
Just ask. Reach out to people a few steps ahead of you, whether that’s friends, family, friends of friends, people you meet out in the world, or connections you make in online spaces, and see if they’d be open to chatting about their career path. You can learn so much from people who have already gone where you want to go.
Do you prioritize quality or quantity of connections? How do you determine when to invest more time in a particular relationship?
Quality over quantity, though having a good variety and mix is a smart approach. When it comes to deciding whether to invest more time in a particular connection, follow your curiosity and be strategic. Do you want to know more about that person? Their role? Their career path? Their network? Are they someone who seems to know everyone and loves making introductions? If the answer is yes to any of those, get to know them. Dive deeper into their story. That’s a connection worth investing in.
What are your “5 Strategies for Successful Networking, Both Online and Offline”?
1. Follow up and take it offline
The initial conversation at a virtual or in-person networking event is just the starting point. Following up outside of that space is where the real opportunity lies. Connect on LinkedIn or invite them to a virtual or in-person coffee chat. This is where you dive deeper into the conversation you started and focus on strengthening the relationship. I’ve seen these follow ups lead to more connections, interviews, and job offers for my clients.
2. Give as much as you take
If you’re seeking advice, find ways to offer value. If you want leads, start by giving them. People are more likely to help you if you’ve shown up for them first. A simple “Let me know if there’s anyone in my network I can introduce you to” goes a long way. I recently had a coffee chat with someone where we ended up cross-promoting each other’s services. Now I refer clients to her and she refers clients to me. Sometimes the outcome is mutually beneficial in ways you didn’t even anticipate, if you stay open and get a little creative.
3. Show up messy
If you’re new to networking, don’t expect to be great at it right away. Show up imperfectly and be okay with some conversations feeling a little awkward. It gets easier with practice, and no one is judging you as harshly as you’re judging yourself. In all my years of coaching clients through networking, not one has come back to tell me a conversation went terribly. At worst, the call wasn’t as helpful as they hoped. Don’t let your brain feed you lies about unrecoverable worst case scenarios. It will be easier than you think.
4. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you haven’t spoken to in a while
If you show up with authenticity and genuine curiosity rather than a transactional agenda, people might surprise you. I recently had a client text a former coworker to catch up and ask for advice on his resume. That conversation led to an interview. They hadn’t spoken in ten years.
5. Try not to take non-response personally
A non-response is not a rejection. They’re likely busy, overwhelmed, or not in a position to help right now, and none of that has anything to do with you. Send one follow up if you’d like, then move on. There are plenty of people out there willing to show up for you. I see it every single day.
What role does diversity and inclusion play in your networking approach? How do you ensure that your network is inclusive and represents a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds?
It plays a significant role in how I approach networking, both personally and in how I coach my clients. I make a point of connecting with people across different backgrounds, industries, ages, titles, and lived experiences because I work with a diverse group of clients, and I want my network to reflect that.
For clients who are newer to networking and feeling hesitant, I do suggest starting where they feel most comfortable. Whether that’s someone their age, someone who went to the same school, or someone in a familiar industry, building confidence first is a valid strategy. From there, it’s about expanding your network, your perspective, and your world.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I’d start a movement around “you don’t have to do it alone.” So many people navigating career uncertainty, leadership challenges, imposter syndrome, or self-doubt are doing it in isolation. They might vent to a friend or a partner, but the lingering thoughts, the spiraling, the shame, those stay private because they’re too embarrassed to say them out loud. And so they assume they’re the only one feeling that way, which adds another layer of shame on top of what they’re already carrying.
I’d love to normalize asking for help and talking more openly about struggle, in safe environments and with the right people. Because the truth is, almost everyone is dealing with some version of the same thing. You are not alone in it, and you don’t have to go it alone either. There are people, resources, and communities that exist for exactly this purpose: to help you feel less alone and more capable of moving forward.
Want more support figuring out your own networking approach, or any other part of your career? Take a look at my coaching services or book a free call to learn more about my programs.
