How do we build genuine professional connections without falling into the trap of sales pitches, awkward small talk, or ghosted messages?
Our Coffee Chat crew shared the familiar pain of trying to connect online or at events, only to be met with instant “buy my service” pitches, one-sided conversations, or radio silence. Networking, we agreed, works best when it’s rooted in authenticity—and when we remember it’s a two-way street.
Some of us find value in starting with our “why”—being clear on the purpose of a connection before reaching out. That might mean seeking fresh insights, industry peers, or people with complementary skills. We also talked about keeping things human: practicing open-ended questions, finding common ground before hitting “connect,” and remembering that a little curiosity goes a long way.
Tips from the group ranged from LinkedIn “research” before events to offering introductions for others, using industry groups beyond L&D, and finding opportunities in unexpected places—like chatting with someone at the grocery store. And when networking online, consistency matters: engaging with posts, sharing resources, and contributing your own perspective builds trust over time.
At its best, networking isn’t about chasing opportunities, but instead about building relationships and sharing value. So what’s one step you can take this week to make your network stronger, more authentic, and maybe even more fun?
Stay curious! -Shannon
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Resources
The 2 Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton
Structural Building Components Association
Icebreaker Questions for Networking
Virtual Networking Planner
Books
The Go Giver by Bo Burg and John David Mann
20-Minute Networking Meeting by Marcia Ballinger and Nathan Perez
The Introvert’s Edge to Networking: Work the Room. Leverage Social Media. Develop Powerful Connections by Matthew Pollard
The Power Of Networking: Strategies for Career Excellence, Job Development, and Building Greater Triumphs in Your Work by Michael Morgan
Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
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