“Networking” has become one of those words that makes people slightly uncomfortable.
For some, it conjures images of crowded events, awkward small talk, and the subtle sense that everyone in the room is trying to extract something from someone else.
Business cards change hands. LinkedIn connections are made. Polite smiles are exchanged. And yet, very little actually happens.
The truth is that most networking isn’t really about people at all. It’s about transactions. But careers rarely change through transactions. They change through relationships.
That’s why a better approach might be this: Don’t just network. Meet people.
The Hidden Power of Who You Know
We often focus on building skills, knowledge, and expertise. And rightly so. What you know matters. But in many careers, who you know can shape opportunities just as much as what you know.
Not because of favouritism or shortcuts, but because people prefer to work with people they know, trust, and understand. Opportunities often emerge through conversations rather than job descriptions.
A recommendation. An introduction. A casual comment like:
“You should speak to someone I know.”
These moments rarely happen in formal hiring processes. They happen in human ones. And they happen more often when people genuinely know you.
Networking vs Meeting People
Traditional networking often follows an unspoken script. You attend an event. You exchange a few sentences about what you do. You connect online. And then… nothing.
There is little context, little memory, and little reason for the relationship to grow.
Meeting people is different. Meeting people means:
- having real conversations
- learning what someone cares about
- sharing experiences and perspectives
- building familiarity over time
It’s not about collecting contacts. It’s about building recognition and trust.
Serendipity Follows Proximity
One of the most powerful forces in careers is something we rarely plan for: serendipity.
The unexpected opportunity. The conversation that changes direction. The introduction that leads somewhere surprising.
Serendipity tends to happen when three things exist:
- Visibility – people know you exist
- Context – they understand what you’re good at
- Trust – they feel comfortable recommending you
If you only appear when you need something, those ingredients rarely exist. But when you meet people consistently, curiosity and familiarity build naturally. And opportunities often emerge from that environment.
The Best Career Conversations Aren’t About Jobs
Ironically, the most valuable professional conversations rarely focus on job hunting. They focus on things like:
- ideas
- challenges
- projects
- interests
- experiences
These conversations reveal much more than a CV ever could.
They show how someone thinks. What energises them. How they approach problems.
Over time, this creates something much stronger than a contact list. It creates a reputation in motion.
Small Moments, Big Effects
Meeting people doesn’t require elaborate strategies. It often comes from simple behaviours:
- reaching out for a coffee
- attending small gatherings
- introducing two people who might benefit from knowing each other
- following up after a conversation that sparked your interest
- staying curious about other people’s journeys
None of these actions guarantee a specific outcome. But collectively they create an environment where opportunity can find you.
The Real Goal
The goal is not to “build a network”. It is to build relationships that make your career more visible, more connected, and more human. Because careers rarely move forward in isolation. They move through conversations, shared ideas, and the occasional moment of unexpected alignment.
So the next time someone tells you to “go networking”, consider a different mindset. Don’t go looking for contacts. Go looking to meet people.
Serendipity might be closer than you think.
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