Featured in Forbes
Since I embarked on my career journey, I have consistently encountered the notion that networking is pivotal to career success. The adage, “Your network is your net worth,” echoed in every professional circle I stepped into. This phrase is meant to highlight how the relationships you build and maintain can significantly impact your career trajectory.
But, like many others, I found my experiences with networking to be anything but straightforward.
New To Networking
I began my professional journey in India, particularly in the vibrant yet intimidating city of Delhi. Compared to more global cities like London, networking opportunities in Delhi at that time felt scarce. There wasn’t the seamless digital infrastructure that exists today, where LinkedIn, social media and virtual networking events abound. This was before Netflix or the social media era. In those days, networking for me—and many others—felt daunting, especially for someone like me who leaned more introverted than extroverted.
As a young newbie entering the workforce, I attended countless networking events, each time hoping this would be the breakthrough I needed. Some experiences were encouraging, while others left me feeling disheartened.
Performance And Unwritten Rules
What made these events more challenging was the performance aspect. I felt compelled to project a version of myself that wasn’t entirely authentic—a version of me that was extroverted, enthusiastic and seemingly outgoing. In reality, this facade was exhausting to maintain.
After each networking event, I would find myself overwhelmed by the aftermath: follow-up messages, meeting requests and conversations that needed continuing. As someone unfamiliar with the unspoken social protocols of networking, I didn't know how to respond, decline or navigate these situations gracefully.
It wasn’t uncommon for me to simply not reply to messages—a mistake I now recognize as unprofessional, though at the time, I didn’t know any better. I was still a young, inexperienced professional trying to figure out the unwritten rules of networking.
An Overlooked Real-Life Skill
I soon realized that our traditional education system rarely equips us with essential life skills like effective networking. In school, we are taught the fundamentals of academics—math, science, history—but we are rarely introduced to the real-world skills we need to thrive in the professional world.
Networking, in particular, is not something that’s usually discussed or practiced within formal education, leaving many, like myself, to navigate this confusing aspect of career building on our own.
Building Genuine Connections
It took me over a decade of professional experience to fully grasp how to network effectively and, more importantly, how to do it in a way that felt genuine to who I was.
Through those years, I gained one critical piece of advice: Know yourself and play to your strengths. Whether you're a social butterfly or someone who thrives in solitary study, there’s no right or wrong way to build a successful career. The key lies in understanding what you’re good at and how to leverage those strengths in your professional journey.
For introverts like myself, who feel drained after social interactions, it’s important to recognize that this isn’t a flaw. Society often glorifies extroversion, especially in professional settings, but introverts bring their own strengths to the table.
Knowledge And Credibility
For those who prefer studying, learning or mastering a subject over constant socializing, this can become your secret weapon. Expertise and knowledge are powerful tools. By becoming a subject matter expert in your field, you can build credibility, command respect and carve out a niche that is entirely your own. Knowledge, after all, is a form of power, and in many industries, it’s this power that leads to both reputation and financial success.
In fact, many of the world’s most successful people are known more for their expertise than their networking abilities. Take, for example, scientists, researchers, authors and technical experts. They didn’t necessarily build their careers through extensive social networking but rather through deep knowledge and contributions to their fields.
If studying and deepening your understanding of a particular subject gives you energy, embrace it. This path can also lead to career success, even if it doesn’t come with the flashy connections that networking might offer.
Energized By Connection
Conversely, if you are someone who thrives on social interaction and draws energy from being around people, then networking could very well be your superpower. People who are energized by relationships can use networking as a key tool for career growth.
Building a strong network can open doors to new opportunities, clients, partnerships and collaborations that you might not find through expertise alone. By using networking strategically, you can build your personal brand, gain visibility in your industry and open up new avenues for growth that can propel your career forward.
Finding The Right Balance
The important thing to realize is that both paths—studying and networking—can lead to career success. It’s not a matter of choosing one over the other but rather finding the right balance for you.
Understanding where your energy comes from and how to harness it effectively is the real key. If you’re more inclined toward studying and expertise, then make that your focus and let your reputation for knowledge bring opportunities your way. If you thrive on networking, then use those social connections to create partnerships and grow your career.
It’s also essential to acknowledge that most people aren’t strictly one or the other. Very few people are completely introverted or entirely extroverted. Most of us lie somewhere in between, with tendencies that lean one way or another, depending on the situation. Recognizing this can help you develop a more nuanced approach to your career.
There will be times when you need to network, even if you’re more comfortable studying, and times when deepening your expertise will benefit your career, even if you love socializing.
In conclusion, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to career success. Whether you find fulfillment through building expertise or through making connections, both paths are valid, and both can lead to great achievements.
