Do you enjoy networking?
For some professionals, networking comes naturally. They genuinely enjoy meeting new people, building connections, and exploring opportunities through conversation.
For many others, however, networking feels uncomfortable, forced, or even exhausting.
Perhaps you’re too busy to prioritise it. Perhaps you find it awkward. Or perhaps you’ve convinced yourself that standing quietly on the sidelines suits you just fine.
Yet one thing remains true: networking plays a significant role in professional growth and leadership success.
Strong professional relationships provide access to support, feedback, fresh perspectives, opportunities, resources, and information. At the same time, networking allows us to expand our visibility and influence.
The challenge is that although most leaders understand the value of networking, many still avoid it.
If networking feels like a chore, these four strategies can help you approach it differently—and perhaps even begin to enjoy it.
1. Approach Networking with Curiosity
Shift from obligation to opportunity
One of the simplest ways to improve your networking experience is to change the way you think about it.
Rather than viewing networking as something you have to do, approach it with curiosity and an open mind.
Who might you meet?
What might you learn?
What new ideas, collaborations, or opportunities could emerge from a simple conversation?
When we adopt a growth mindset, networking becomes less about collecting contacts and more about discovering possibilities. Often, the conversations we least expect turn out to be the most valuable.
2. Focus on Building Meaningful Relationships
Prioritise connection over collecting business cards
The most effective networking isn’t transactional.
Research in social psychology shows that lasting professional relationships are often built when people collaborate towards shared goals and support one another’s success.
Instead of asking:
“What can I gain from this person?”
Try asking:
“What might we learn from each other?”
When networking is driven by genuine interest, shared values, and mutual respect, relationships become stronger, more authentic, and far more rewarding.
3. Think About the Value You Can Bring
Influence grows when generosity comes first
One of the most respected networking principles is surprisingly simple:
Offer value before asking for it.
Networking becomes far more comfortable when your focus shifts from promoting yourself to helping others.
Networking expert Ivan Misner recommends asking new contacts about challenges they are currently facing. Sometimes a simple introduction, recommendation, or piece of advice can become the foundation of a valuable relationship.
Many professionals underestimate what they have to offer.
Your experience, perspective, network, encouragement, or expertise may be exactly what someone else needs.
When you focus on contribution rather than self-promotion, networking feels more authentic, meaningful, and worthwhile.
4. Connect Your Networking to a Bigger Purpose
Find a reason beyond yourself
Any activity becomes more motivating when it serves a purpose greater than personal gain.
Perhaps networking helps you:
Represent your organisation
Support your industry
Champion women in leadership
Create opportunities for future talent
Build stronger communities
When you connect networking to a larger mission, it becomes easier to step outside your comfort zone.
Your visibility doesn’t only benefit you—it can inspire, support, and create opportunities for others too.
Why Networking Matters More Than Ever
The opportunities you need often begin with a conversation
If networking has been sitting at the bottom of your priority list, it may be worth reconsidering.
A limited network can restrict opportunities, fresh ideas, and professional growth. Without meaningful connections, we may miss valuable insights, collaborations, and chances to expand our influence.
The best time to build your network is before you need it.
And the best way to strengthen it is to nurture relationships consistently over time.
When we reframe networking as an opportunity to build genuine connections, learn from interesting people, and contribute value to others, it becomes far more enjoyable.
Influence isn’t built through self-promotion.
It’s built through trust, generosity, and meaningful relationships.
And that starts with a conversation.
We’d Love to Hear Your Story
Share your networking success with Speak to Move
Reply to this article or send us a message with your networking story. We may feature selected stories in our upcoming Speak to Move Stories series, where we celebrate real experiences of connection, communication, and growth.
Because sometimes, one conversation can change everything.
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Michelle Fenech Seguna is the Founder and Director of Speak to Move, the Home of Communication.
Based in Malta, Michelle provides executive coaching, corporate training and professional development programmes that help leaders, teams and professionals communicate with clarity, confidence and presence.
For more information, contact Michelle at michelle@speaktomove.com.mt or visit www.speaktomove.com.mt.
