Your network is becoming the most valuable asset you have

Gosh, things are feeling a bit shaky at the moment. What’s happening globally with geopolitics, fuel shocks, economic pressure…. is rippling out in very real ways, and we’re certainly feeling it here in NZ in a big way. It’s making us all think twice about things we used to take for granted.  And for many people around the world, there’s a deep undercurrent of chaos and disruption; everything they know is being shaken to its core. In the broad scheme of things, we’re actually very blessed here in NZ. 

And I am observing that when things feel uncertain, our instinct is to go inward, to batten down the hatches, to circle the wagons, so to speak.  We keep our heads down and focus on ourselves and family, trying to control what we can, which is fine and necessary.  And normal.  It’s a very human response.

At the same time, I’m also seeing that the people navigating this period well aren’t doing it alone. They’re doing it through and with other people.

Why is Networking So Important Right Now?

Networking has always been important, but never more so than right now. If you’re someone who is seeking a new career, trying to build your current career up, or you simply want to prepare for the future, networking is vital.

Generative AI has introduced a lot of noise into the career world. Job applications are scanned by AI agents before they reach humans, and the speed of AI has cranked up how fast almost every single process in the working world moves. In fact, according to a recent article from the Harvard Business Review, AI might actually be intensifying workloads rather than making things easier.

This means people are moving faster, expectations are shifting, and your industry might be reshaping itself beneath your feet. It’s a scary thought; but this is why networking (even if you’re in a stable role right now) is such an important skill to develop.

Networks are safety nets, momentum creators, door openers. If your role grows or changes, you can source expertise from within your network to adapt, even if you’re not sure how to begin. If your role is disestablished, your network can help you to secure a new one via word-of-mouth, referrals, and recommendations (the most powerful currency in the modern job market).

That’s where things start to change.

What networking is (and what it isn’t):

You might have the same image of networking that we’ve all been sold over the years: small talk, awkward conference rooms, or trying to ‘sell yourself’ to someone in the span of about five minutes.

No thank you! When I talk about networking, I’m not talking about collecting hundreds of contacts or adding people on LinkedIn that you might never speak to again.

Great networking can be a whole bunch simpler than that, and you don’t have to know every single person in your industry’s (likely full-to-bursting) Rolodex. Instead, a few solid connections in the right places can make an absolutely enormous difference.

A real network is a living, breathing system of relationships connected to you, and it goes both ways. They think of you when opportunities come up, and you think of them. A great network is fed by meaningful conversations, cups of coffee, comments on each other’s LinkedIn posts, and referrals to career-defining chances.

So no, it’s not that awkward dance on the conference room floor, although it can feel a little awkward at first. It’s a new skill you’ll learn, after all. But if you can rethink what networking is for, reshape it into a genuine curiosity about your fellow professionals and finding ways to offer real value where you can… well, things start to change.

Metcalfe’s Law & The Strength of Your Connections

I say this all the time:

It only takes a handful of these relationships to completely change your trajectory.

I see it all the time. The job that wasn’t advertised, the role that got created, the opportunity that came through a conversation. That’s how a network works.

In Metcalfe’s Law, the number of your connections exponentially increases the value of a given set. In other words, if you introduce even one more person into your network with a quick coffee and a good conversation, that person’s connections become yours by extension (and the same in reverse). By virtue of this, the number of opportunities you have access to also increases along with your connections. How powerful is that?!

So, if the future is feeling uncertain, reaching for more control, more planning, and more certainty might not be the full picture. Staying connected helps change happen, through great conversations, solid relationships, and the ever-expanding networks you find yourself a part of.

Ultimately, modern networking is about building genuine connections with people. Not trying to force outcomes, but putting yourself in the kinds of rooms, conversations, and relationships where something new can emerge. Because in a world that feels increasingly fragmented, your network is everything. And we don’t have to go it alone.

Want to learn how to network sustainably?

You don’t need to somehow acquire a network overnight. A few quick, easy tips and strategies can build your connections exponentially.

Come along to my live networking workshop on Wednesday 29 April at 12 pm NZT, where for 90 jam-packed minutes I’ll walk you through a different way to think about networking—one that actually works in today’s world. Grab your seat before it fills up; I’d love to see you there.